We read: “If there are no difficulties, the mind cannot be truly set.” The Life of Oyasama, p. 229 Children flying kites used to be a common sight during the New Year’s season in Japan. On beaches and in other open spaces, children would fly their kites, competing to get…
We are taught: “You are to purchase My sincerity. Purchase My sincerity with your own sincerity.” Life of Oyasama, p. 233 Let us imagine that we are climbing a steep mountain to reach the summit. Panting and gasping for breath, we trudge uphill step by step. Looking up ahead, we…
Oyasama often said: “This path cannot be followed by human thinking. It is the path that is being formed by the law of nature.” Anecdotes of Oyasama, no. 17, “The Law of Nature” A long time ago, in Warring States China there was an expert cook called Pao…
An early follower once heard Oyasama say: “Suppose that ninety-nine out of a hundred people are bad and that the one hundredth person is good. Is the bad stronger than the good or the good stronger than the bad? The good of one person is stronger.” “Masui Rin oboegaki” (Rin…
Oyasama once said: “If you go to the summit you will receive something marvelous. But since one turns back because of dangers on the way, one does not receive the treasure.” Anecdotes of Oyasama, no. 171 On the calm ocean surface, suddenly a pillar of fire shoots up. With a…
Oyasama once said to a follower: “If wrinkled paper is left as it is, it can be used only as toilet paper or as paper to blow one’s nose. . . . When the mind becomes completely wrinkled, it becomes like the toilet paper. Saving such minds, rather than discarding…