(Eshō funi)
February 21, 2016
The principle of the oneness of life and its environment signifies the inseparability and solid relationship between the environment (ehō) and human life (shōhō).
Human life refers to the bodies and minds of the people, manifested as the karmic effects of causes made in past lifetimes.
The environment represents the surroundings that are familiar to the people.
The principle of the oneness of life and its environment (eshō funi) describes how the environment and life are contained within the minds and hearts of the people. It also describes how they are inseparable and form a solid unity together. Therefore, the realm of the environment exists without fail wherever there are people. Furthermore, the positive and negative conduct of the people is directly reflected in the environment.
The Risshō ankoku-ron (On Securing the Peace of the Land through the Propagation of True Buddhism), which Nichiren Daishonin submitted to the Kamakura Government in 1260 states:
In recent years there ave been unusual occurrences in the heavens, and natural disasters on earth. Famine and epidemics rage in all lands beneath the skies and in every corner of the realm.
Dead cattle and horses are everywhere, and human skeletons clutter the streets. More than half the population has already perished, and there is not a single person who does not mourn.
(Gosho, p. 234; The Gosho of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 1)
The Daishonin describes the tragic conditions in the 13th century in Japan.
When we look upon the conditions from the perspective of Buddhism, we must ask ourselves whether the happiness and unhappiness of the people are influenced by environmental circumstances, such as natural disasters, or by the minds of the people. This question is truly significant for people today in our globalized society.
Many people realize that they have gradually harmed their global environment, because they have continued to excessively seek out convenience and wealth based on their covetous natures.
However, they should realize that the teachings that the people embrace in their hearts—whether they uphold true Buddhism or an incorrect doctrine—will directly determine the environmental conditions in which they live.
Nichiren Daishonin wrote the following in his Gosho, “Attaining Buddhahood in this Lifetime” (“Isshō jōbutsu-shō”):
If the hearts and minds of the people are tainted, so is their land. However, if their minds are pure, the land also will be pure. The land, in itself, is not divided into two types. Indeed, whether the land is pure or impure is solely determined by our hearts and minds.
(Gosho, p. 46)
According to the teachings of Buddhism, it may seem as though there are two types of lands: the pure and untainted land of the Buddha and the impure and tainted land of this world.
In fact, however, the land is not divided into two types. The Daishonin teaches us that, if the people embrace the true Law and maintain correct faith in their hearts, then the land becomes a pure, untainted realm.
However, if they uphold erroneous teachings, then the land turns into a tainted, impure land. These were the instructions given by the Daishonin, based on the principle of the oneness of life and its environment (eshō funi).
Therefore, in the conclusion of the Risshō ankoku-ron (On Securing the Peace of the Land through the Propagation of True Buddhism), the Daishonin expounds:
You must immediately renounce your erroneous belief and take faith in the supreme teaching of the one vehicle of the Lotus Sutra.
Then, this entire threefold world will become the Buddha land. How could the Buddha land ever decline? All the lands in the ten directions will transform into treasure realms.
How could a treasure realm ever fall to ruin? If the nation never declines and the land is indestructible, you will find safety and peace of mind. These are the very words you must believe and revere.
(Gosho, p. 250; The Gosho of Nichiren Daishonin, vol. 2, p. 42)
Here, the Daishonin instructs his addressee, “the guest,” that he must promptly alter his ways and end his attachment to incorrect doctrines. He further urges him to uphold true Buddhism.
Accordingly, when there is peace and tranquility in society, then those who reside in it also will be able to achieve peace and tranquility in their individual lives. By contrast, when people believe in incorrect doctrines, the land will manifest various abnormal phenomena; and, as a result, the people will suffer.
In essence, our happiness or unhappiness is determined by our own individual minds. If our hearts and minds and our beliefs are solidly established in the correct religion, we will proceed on the correct path and our world will progressively improve.
Based on this understanding, let us advance with great devotion in our daily efforts to transform our world into the peaceful and tranquil Buddha land.
Now, I would like to read you an excerpt from an article that I recently read in one of the major papers. Its title is “Personality Research Says Change in Major Traits Occurs Naturally”:
Researchers have known that friendly, outgoing, responsible people tend to be happier than shy, irresponsible, unsociable people.
In a new twist with lots of ramifications for therapists, researchers have learned that being happy to begin with may help change their personality.
Where do you start? First, you have to recognize which pieces of your personality affect you.
If you are a grouchy, argumentative, suspicious type, and you are always getting fired because you get into arguments with co-workers and blame others, then you have to realize that you have to change something.
If you have a tendency to be defensive and want to fight, you tell yourself, “OK, when my boss comes to talk to me and I immediately feel I am being judged and want to protect myself, I am overreacting.”
Calm yourself down and don't argue.
Don't set expectations too high. Be patient. It's important to start small. Identify a first step and then practice it, without worrying about the initial results. It's like learning to kick a football. You focus on the steps, not whether it goes in the goal.
Don't worry too much about other people's reactions because usually you are changing in a way that pleases them.
When someone cuts you off in traffic and also at calm moments, you can reflect on things that caused you stress. If you are more negative, you will have a feeling that bad stuff can happen at every turn.
You have to question if this is just coming from you because you are looking at life through a sour lens.
Being introspective and attempting to be honest with yourself and others has helped you in becoming a happier, more outgoing person.
You start by changing the behavior and then, if you can maintain that new behavior over time, it gets encoded.
(The Wall Street Journal, April 22, 2014)
This is a good article, isn’t it? If you change the negative aspects of your personality, you will be happier without fail. Also your environment will change based on the principle of the oneness of life and its environment, which we learned today.
Please take a first step forward. Then, focus on the steps; do not worry about whether the ball goes through the goalposts. The result, enlightenment, will come to you naturally if you steadily practice true Buddhism every single day.
