Prayer for Love and Mercy

  In a post from a while back , I touched upon a passage from the *Analects* stating that the essence of Confucian teaching lies solely in *chūjo* (loyalty and reciprocity), and I wrote that this *chūjo* might actually be love; Ito Jinsai has provided an answer to that idea. "Among all virtues, *Ren* (benevolence/humaneness) is the greatest. Yet, if one were to sum it up in a single word, it is love itself." "When an action stems from love, it is genuine; when it does not, it is merely a sham. Thus, the *kunshi* (a person of virtue) cherishes a heart of compassion above all else and deeply laments any trace of cruelty or heartlessness." "When a heart of compassion permeates and suffuses everything, leaving no room for cruelty or callousness—that is what we call *Ren*." "It exists in every fleeting moment and remains active even while one sleeps; love is ever-present in the heart, filling it completely until heart and love become one—this is *Ren*. The...

 I’ve realized that loving others is the right path. So, let’s put that into practice right away. And the first person to catch my eye was... There she was: my wife. Hey, why not my wife? She’s a real person, after all. Besides, we started out as total strangers with no blood ties—she’s just another human being, just like anyone else. Mind you, she’s a pretty tough opponent. She flies off the handle at the drop of a hat. "You know, Mom, you get hysterical over the tiniest things and snap instantly. You’re a total 'landmine'—the kind of woman who’s a walking disaster waiting to explode. I’d never want a girlfriend like you! I feel sorry for Dad." My son actually said that to her the other day. She was understandably shocked; her jaw dropped, and she stood there dumbfounded for a moment. "Well said, son." I was right there, slapping the table and laughing my head off. It was incredibly satisfying. This woman speaks a rather unique dialect. Whenever an annivers...

 I’ve caught a glimpse of that light of mercy once again. Or so I’d like to say, but the truth is, I didn’t actually see it this time. Still, it felt essentially the same. I really *did* see it before, though. This time was a bit different—a feeling that sort of gently seeped in. Someone once said: "Faith like fire won't do; it must be faith like water." It was that kind of sensation—seeping in like water. Who was it that said that? Let me see... ah, I remember: "Shin'ichi Yamamoto." Now, I feel like I might end up like that refined gentleman of old (Ariwara no Narihira), finding myself: "Overwhelmed by emotion, words fail me." But there’s no helping it given my clumsy writing skills. I’m writing this fully aware that I probably won't be able to convey it properly. "The Master's Way consists of nothing but *chū* and *jo* (loyalty and empathy)." (*The Analects*) Ito Jinsai’s commentary: "*Chū* means devoting oneself entirely; ...

 It occurred to me recently that there is tangible proof right around us of God’s unconditional love, so I try to write about it here. When we make offerings to God (or to the Buddha), has God ever actually accepted them? We might say, "Let's make an offering to God today out of gratitude," and present food or drink, but when we look the next day, it’s still sitting there. "God hasn't eaten any of it! It’s going to spoil if left like this." Exactly. God has never once accepted our tribute—and neither has the Buddha. In other words, isn't God essentially saying this? "I don't want or need such things; you should share them among yourselves, or give them to the poor who truly need them." That is why the offerings are returned to us as gifts *from* God—blessings to be shared. "Well then, why not just share them among everyone from the start?" Exactly. And if that circle of sharing expands wider and wider until it encompasses all of h...

 I used to be a hardcore online gamer, but now my wife has banned me from playing, leaving me with a huge amount of free time—so what should I do? (Of course I have a job, though.) I ended up just borrowing books from the library at random. Somehow, I went from Ninomiya Kinjiro to a series on Japanese classics; I moved from Nakae Toju to Kumazawa Banzan, and now I’m onto Yamaga Soko. Who are they? I have no idea either. They seem to be Confucian scholars from the Edo period (17th century). Yamaga was a military strategist, apparently. But it’s just so fascinating. I used to think Confucianism wasn't a religion, but that doesn't really matter. The things they say are just great. I mean, I’m basically getting lectured and scolded every day, but I actually find it pleasurable. They simply admonish evil and encourage good. Don't be swayed by immediate gain. Think about what benefits society. So, what should I do? Kumazawa Banzan was a disciple of Nakae Toju, and when asked, ...

 What does "filial piety" look like from a parent's perspective? As a parent myself, I understand this: we do not seek repayment from our children. A parent's love for their child is "unconditional love." Therefore, a child's happiness is the greatest act of filial piety. Now, what does "filial piety" look like from God's perspective? God does not seek repayment from us. God's love for us is "unconditional love." Therefore, the happiness of all living beings is the greatest act of filial piety toward God. God does not seek to be loved Himself. Rather, He asks that we love the people and the lives that He loves. To love people is to love God; to love life is to love God. If we do not love people, we have not loved God; if we do not love life, we have not loved God. That is likely why the teaching goes so far as to say, "Love your enemies." Yet, since that is impossible to do all at once, perhaps that is why "love...