UNDERSTANDING
OTHERS' PROBLEMS & CONCERNS
by Rev. Shokai Kanai
I am very glad that we are entering the 21st Century instead of
Nostradamus' Prediction of the end of the world.
Last year (the end of the 20th Century) there was a large number
of sad events such as shootings by students at campuses which
killed several teachers and students, setting fires on church
buildings and the killing of innocent people involving hate crimes,
mothers killing their own children, disgraceful conduct by the
police and many other sad crimes.
Thinking of these occurrences, a person who was educated in Japan
before the war insists that we should bring back shushing. This
requires that the teachers force ethics on their students. These
ethics are based on the Emperor's status as a god. Eventually
this type of education and belief lead to reduced the freedoms
of religion and speech and also lead to militarism. Some Americas
tried to teach "The Ten Commandments" at public schools,
but it is against the separation of state and religion as required
by the Constitution of the United States.
When we talk about morals in America, it leads to the Christian
commandments. "Not to steal, not to tell a lie, not to committee
adultery, not to kill" are moral. These morals apply to everyone
regardless of faith and race.
The root of moral is not to cause trouble and sadness in other
people. People today in the East and the West have become too
selfish and materialistic. They enjoy themselves at the expense
of others. If someone tries to interfere with their happiness,
they may even kill that person with no regard for the value of
life.
We should be concerned with how our conduct effects others. We
must know how to control our desires so as to not cause problems
for others. We must educate our children as well as adults on
how to control their desires at home, school and church. It is
quite all right for one to be happy doing what he likes, but if
his conduct adversely effects others, then he should change the
way in which he conducts himself.
When we are able to realize other's sadness or troubles, we will
then realize the true nature of the Buddha and will be able to
cultivate that nature.
When we realize that what we are doing will make others happy
and prosperous, we will then also feel happy. the end
