Meaningless without Action
When I was young, I was told this by a Chinese person: "Why do you treat your life so shabbily? You are alive because you are needed, and when your work is over, you die. That is the reality of the universe. That being so, why not stop despising yourself, and try to live your life more vigorously?" This became the starting point for my awareness of my own existence, and my life changed. Some people are able to make their lives proceed just as they plan. What is the difference between those who can do this and those who can't? Essentially, it's a question of whether or not one can plan one's life and put that into action. Was it chance that made you decide to come to Hombu? Some of you probably came because a senior told you to, but making the decision and then acting on it was done by yourself, no? If that's so, then your life should also be subject to change, shouldn't it?
That which can think and act is the self; the awareness of respect for oneself begins form there. I am alive. Think this way: while I am alive, I am a necessary existence. In deciding what to do, you should start from there. If you do so, then you will be capable of self confidence.
I am not just saying this. I am speaking with a reserve of self confidence, and that's convincing. You can do the same - follow my example. If you just think it to yourself, that's no good. If you don't express it in action, it's meaningless. When what is expressed becomes an internal presence, that is when you finally have strength.
Just thinking something without acting, that is not worthy of respect. It's no more than empty wishes. One shouldn't be infatuated with oneself, but actions taken with confidence are important. I'm an activist. When I say, "I'll do it!" I stop everything and it's "You and you, let's go now." The thinking and the doing get going virtually with the same rapidity.
This is what I request from everyone. Many people think, "just a minute" when it's time to do something. However, I don't. When I think it I do it, and I do it as hard as I can without worrying about tomorrow.
One more thing, don't let an opportunity get way. Basically what I'm saying is be decisive. I have never gotten caught up in thinking, "Should I do this or that?" I decide for myself whether it looks possible or not. Then I do all that I can, and afterwards I don't worry about it. As long as I take responsibility for what I've said and done, there's no problem. This is what I request both from myself and from others.
Take a look at me.
My face looks like I don't have a care in the world. My beard is gradually getting whiter. My daughter is still young, and so I would like to live longer for her. Still, I could die today. The atom bomb could drop tomorrow, and everything might be gone. If human beings vanished from the face of the planet, there would be no Shorinji Kempo. But, after all, I still work my hardest. That is my way of thinking.
(April 1968 from a university training camp sermon)
