Let's Practice The Four Immesurable Minds Toward The Entire Natural World
Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi's Message At The Seicho-No-Ie Founding Day Celebration
The 81st Seicho-No-Ie Founding Day Celebration/Ceremony to Commemorate Seicho-No-Ie Presidency Succession was held from 10:00 a.m. on March 1 at the Seicho-No-Ie Headquarters in Harajuku, Tokyo. Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie, gave a 26-minute address in his capacity as the Superintendent.
Rev. Taniguchi began his address by showing two Seicho-No-Ie magazines—the first issue of the Seicho-No-Ie magazine and the April issue of the magazine for members, the new consolidated version. He pointed out the changes which happened between the two over the 80 years, such as the size, colors and the number of pages. He said that the magazines reflect the fact that with the change in the Japanese society and the world, the Seicho-No-Ie Movement is progressing by changing what needs to change and not changing what should not change.
The President next referred to global warming and the two recent major earthquakes. He stressed that it is important to always sense in our daily life that nature and man exist as originally one and that we live each day with gratitude. He explained that in order to say this from a religious point of view, at last November’s Fall Festival he taught that we should practice Buddha’s Four Immeasurable Minds toward the entire natural world.
The President also referred to the new version of “Shinsokan to practice the Four Immeasurable Minds” that he announced at the New Year’s Celebration, and the selection of the “Office in the Forest” site announced in the February 1 Seishimei Newspaper. He stressed the importance of practicing the Four Immeasurable Minds toward nature with an understanding of the religious meaning of it.
The President next introduced a book by Jeremy Rifkin, an American civilization commentator, entitled The Empathic Civilization. The book presents a view on man which says empathy is man’s essential nature. Rev. Taniguchi explained that empathy is the mental state where one places oneself in someone else’s shoes and not only shares in the sorrow of someone else but, unlike sympathy, one also shares in his happiness when seeing a happy person.
Rev. Taniguchi continued by saying that that is the same as the Four Immeasurable Minds and that the important point of the “Movement that Grows with Nature” is to expand the scope of empathy not only to humanity but to all the living on earth and feel one with them. He called upon the attendees to remember the Four Immeasurable Minds in all aspects of the Movement and perform the Shinsokan to practice the Four Immeasurable Minds, while keeping the anthorocentrism in their thoughts in check, and promote the Movement by following the voice of the indwelling God.
The President explained that empathy toward only the things which one likes is not immeasurable, hence it is not Four Immeasurable Minds. He encouraged the attendees to consciously practice empathy, which one normally does unconsciously, and try hard to practice the Four Immeasurable Minds not only toward humanity but the natural world as well.
The President next introduced his own episode: when he arrived home, a toad jumped at his feet and he felt it bothersome at first, but upon quiet pondering, he found out that it sang in nice chords that sounded good to his ears. He realized that there was a common ground upon which toads and human beings can coexist. He pointed out that if one is in his position, one often misses the beautiful and good even if they are there.
In concluding his address, the President introduced Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi’s words entitled, “You Are Surrounded by God” from the April issue of Seicho-No-Ie Magazine. He pointed out that it speaks of the essence of the sundial way of life that sees God in everything. He asked the attendees to practice this teaching in their daily lives and powerfully promote the “Movement that Grows with Nature.”
The Seicho-No-Ie Founding Day Celebration was held in the presence of Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie, and Mrs. Junko Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie White Dove Association. The number of attendees was 844. Prior to Rev. Taniguchi’s address, Rev. Kazuo Isobe, Chairman and CEO of Seicho-No-Ie, gave a congratulatory message. Mrs. Kenkichi Yoshimatsu, Chief of the Kochi Missionary Area Brotherhood Association, and Rev. Jeong Hee Kim, Chairman of Kwang Myong Hoy, also gave congratulatory messages on behalf of the followers. In addition, there was an award ceremony to recognize the dedication of 115 people with the Headquarters Awards, including “Double Ring of Light Award.”
In the previous day, February 28, the 59th Seicho-No-Ie Delegates Conference was held. Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie, gave a message for 23 minutes from 11:09 a.m.
In his message, the President explained the “community of love” that is stated in the Movement Policy. He stressed the importance of promoting the Movement as an organic entity in a Gemeinshaft way, where the Brotherhood Association, White Dove Association and Youth and Young Adult Association cooperate with one another in promoting the Public Lecture and holding Readers’ Meetings for the Families and Readers’ Meetings for Youth. Rev. Taniguchi also emphasized that it is important to have an under standing of the entirety when engaged in a part of the Movement with activities in local areas.
The Seicho-No-Ie Delegates Conference was held with the attendance of Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie, and Mrs. Junko Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie White Dove Association, and was attended by 860 people, including Seicho-No-Ie Missionary Councilors and domestic and overseas officers. The Movement Policy was explained. There was also a Q&A session.