I want to take care of people who I've connected to
-relations of relying on and being relied on-

(Humans are animals of emotion)
What I'm going to talk about next is the outcome of my life experiences. Amidst relations built around a mentality of, "I'm paying the monthly fee so the teacher has the responsibility to teach,"or "I have a right to be taught,"true human relations can't arise. Getting involved with people is not something you do because it benefits you. Relations keep going because of a connection of the heart, because the heart communicates. I have lived a life of valuing people. The human being is an animal who acts by emotions, not logic.

(Things that come through in regular living)
"I've been living here for years, but no one ever invites me to serve as neighborhood chair, and nobody has offered me an office. You know, I'm a pretty good Shorinji Kempo teacher, so shouldn't they make me at least a chair of the anti-crime committee. And the police don't ever call me. The people around town never ask me to do anything. Why is that?"Some people complain like this, but aren't they just calling themselves budo teachers and doing nothing more than standing somewhere and calling out orders? Think it over once more carefully. For example, when a kenshi comes and says, 'Sensei, I'm having a problem now with this and that,"the response may be, "That's your problem; solve it yourself."Thinking that all is well so long as people bring their dues does not work; kenshi do not come to such branch masters. When people bring their concerns to me, I quickly engage with them. Then, more people come thinking that they can really talk to that sensei. Gradually, in this way, people came to gather around me. All of you, too, become the kind of person that people will rely on and want to talk with when there are issues. There are people who relate to each person in various ways till they have kind of bond between their hearts, and there are people who, after meeting someone once, never think of them again. Without the bond bringing people together, individuals remain simply beings along the wayside. So, even though you can't treat everyone well, if there's a connection or if some need arises, be the kind of person who helps, who cares for these people. In reality, this is what penetrates through into daily life. And when it does, the other person will remember you. They'll be concerned for you. They'll like you. It's a matter of the heart. I've never been fooled by people I have devoted myself to. Even if I just see them once in a while, they'll greet me, saying, “Hey, long time no see. Is there anything I can help with?"

(Being a leader is not something you accomplish by yourself)
To become a leader, it is not enough to be able to do well for yourself. It is important for people to acknowledge you, and for you to be able to acknowledge other people. It's not a mentality of doing others a favor, but a humble approach of being allowed to contribute. It's taking joy in the privilege of contributing, in being allowed to do. If you can relate to both your kenshi and your seniors in this way, I think your lives will change. Warmth of heart and a life with relationships that are about relying on people and being relied on by them "when you have these things, your kenshi will bring new kenshi to meet you. Kenshi will even tell their parents and seniors, "I'd like you to meet my branch master sometime,"and they'll bring them along. I want to have you all come to understand just how important it is to build a life on such human relationships.

(At a branch establishment seminar)

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