"Human beings cannot exist alone"
In human society, everything accomplished is done by people, planned by people, and overseen by people. What this means is that the outcome of human events depends on the way the people who do the work out the feelings and beliefs of their hearts. Striving to change the hearts of people is the great distinguishing characteristics of the Kongo Zen movement. Ask yourself if this doesn't ring true. The presence of one good son, for example, can change a whole family for the better. But if, instead, a sullen criminal is part of the family, all the members suffer for it. Real instances of this probably happen around all of you every day. They are examples of just how important a single good person can be.
(Lecture in 1966)
As for ourselves, perhaps the first thing each of us should try to do is to become that excellent person, and to spread that good influence to the people around us. This is the teaching of Kongo Zen. By retraining the body and mind, people become capable of respecting people. This simple, clear seeking of mutual good fortune and happiness is a movement, and the movement is accomplished through habitual training of the body and mind. It is expressed by action in our everyday activities. And these actions become the roots from which such a world can grow.
(Lecture in 1966)
In China, I was taught the meaning of the world "people." The character for people is made of two things each holding up the other. It is because they hold up each other that they mean "people." People cannot exist alone. Each held up by the other, growing through that support; such is the true nature of human beings.
Love. In Buddhism the word is compassion but whichever word you use, it is the heart of human life. I do not believe that true happiness can be found in the struggle of doing in others or being done in by them.
The most important thing which people must do is not to kill each other. To make the world a better place, we must join together and use our wisdom; to increase the number of people who see their own happiness but also seek the happiness of others is the only way to such a world. This I have discovered from experience.
"Shorinji Kempo is not a mere sport or martial art."
This is an important point. The reason why is that in sports, ultimately winning is essential. And winning means doing in the other side. The opponent can even be a team mate, older or younger, but in the end getting passed up is losing and so all of one's thoughts turn to bringing down the opponent. That's why even a country with great sport is not good enough. And a country where the martial arts and things like methods of battle techniques flourish is not what we seek. The reason why is that the human heart cannot be overcome by force alone. It is impossible to bring the heart into line only through force. Furthermore we live in a different age. It is the end of the 20th century. In this day and age I don't think we need martial arts or sports anymore.
(Lecture in August 1969)
