Editor's Note - This is an excerpt from the December 2009 issue of the Buddhist Wheel

Hello, everyone. How are you?

Today, I would like to share a proverb of Shinran Shonin with you. Shinran Shonin says, “Even a good person can be born in the Pure Land, how much more so an evil person!” When we hear these words, we think that they lack in common sense. But Shinran Shonin is not a person who lacks common sense. He admits this idea is really quite contrary to the way people usually think. That is why he says, “However, people commonly say, [Even an evil person can be born in the Pure Land, how much more so a good person!]” The reason he said that is Shinran Shonin saw an inner contradiction in the various efforts of religious people: they were all done in the expectation of egoistic benefits. Shinran recognized good deeds could be poi sonous and obstructions to enlightenment when done with the proud awareness that they were good. He realized the fulfillment of Amida’s Vow to save all suffering beings was not dependent on their performance of good deeds. However, Shinran Shonin should not be misinterpreted here as rejecting doing good deeds. Please don’t misunderstand it. Shinran Shonin considers a good person to be a person who believes himself as a good person. He considers an evil person to be a person who knows himself.

When I read the newspaper and watch T.V. news, I notice many lawsuits in this country. One day, as I watched the T.V. news, I saw a crazy lawsuit. Parents of some teenagers sued McDonald’s, saying that because McDonald’s served fatty and high calorie foods, they became momona, or obese. According to the news, they went to McDonald’s almost every day and ate fast foods. Do you often go to McDonald’s? I used to go there many times. But since I got married, my wife serves delicious meals everyday, so nowadays I don’t go there.

Going back to the story of a crazy lawsuit, almost everyday they went to McDonald’s and ate fast foods. Do you agree with their complaint? Of course their suit was dismissed. Everyone knows fast foods contain high calories. So, people have to take good care of themselves, right? Don’t you think so?

When I watch T.V., I often see T.V. commercials for law practices. When I was in Japan, I never saw such T.V. commercials. According to the newspaper, the population in the U.S. is two times that of Japan. However, the number of lawyers in the United States is 20 times that of Japan. Did you know that? Lawyers are in great demand in this country. Do you know why? I think one reason is that each person tends to believe he or she is right and others are wrong. To be honest, I often think like that. How about you?

Tamamitsu sensei says, “The 20th century was a period of good persons who insist on justice in the name of God.” Let me give you a concrete example. For example, former president, George W. Bush often insists on justice in the name of God. He believes himself “a good person”. Shinran Shonin’s position is completely different. He never insists on justice in the name of Amida Buddha. He called himself an “evil person”. As I mentioned earlier, Shinran Shonin considers a good person to be a person who believes himself as a good person. He considers an evil person to be a person who knows himself. Compared to Japan, in the U.S. many good persons insist on justice in this country. That is why I think there are many lawsuits in the U.S. People believe themselves to be good and deserving of justice just because they believe they have been wronged; they should also consider if they truly know themselves as well.

In conclusion, what is important to us is to know who we are and how we are. Let us consider our behaviors, deeds and attitudes before we insist on justice from our family or our friends. Thank you very much for your attention.

In Gassho

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