In the course of living, we (especially those of us who are doing God's Work in this faith) should be tactful (ENTEN), adaptable (KATSUDATSU) and flexible (JIYU-MUGE) in every way.

ENTEN, the Japanese word for "tactful," literally means "to roll like a round ball," and KATSUDATSU means "adaptable."  If a ball is angular it will not roll.  In Japan, people often speak of an individual who has come through many difficult experiences with the world and has learned from them as one whose angles have been rounded off.  This is very true.

There are some individuals in the world who are just like KOMPEITO*.  These people, far from rolling, cannot go along with others because of their "spikes," which bar their moving smoothly.  There are others who set up certain patterns for themselves, squeeze themselves into them and then suffer.  It is all right if they do this to themselves, but some of them try to squeeze others into their patterns also, thinking it is a good thing to make them suffer, too.  Such examples are often found among those who are Shojo in nature.  They are the so-called feudalistic people who follow the pattern of the feudal ages.  Such individuals are archaic and offensive, not   only in spiritual matters but also in social life in general.

JIYU-MUGE, Japanese word for "flexible," means to be free, without restriction, not molded into any pattern or frame or limitation.  This means there are no commandments; there is only freedom, with serenity like that of the sky and openness like that of the sea.  MUGE also has the same meaning, "without restriction."  But remember that "to be free" is different in meaning from "to be willful."  The freedom of others should be respected, of course.

Ours is a Daijo faith, so it is quite different from religions that operate under the restrictions of commandments which are so strict it is hard for followers to totally obey them.  As a result, they are driven to observe the precepts in appearance only, and of necessity they secretly take "vacations."  In other words, such people inevitably come to show two faces, and this can lead to trouble.  It also leads to falsehood, which is an evil thing.

A Shojo faith tends to cause a person to be good on the surface but not good on the inside.  Conversely, a Daijo faith sets a high value on man's freedom, so all followers can be relaxed and cheerful and there is no need for them to practice any double dealing.  Thus, no falsehood comes out of a Daijo faith.  This is the true attitude of faith in our teaching, and it is one of the most wonderful parts of it.

People of Shojo faith are often driven to falsehood without realizing what is happening.  They pretend to be good, to make a show of being great, which creates an offensive impression that is quite unpleasant to observe.  Not only that, this attitude has a reverse effect; it makes them look small, which is contrary to their expectations.  A mean person (SHOJIN in Japanese, literally meaning "a small person," the opposite of a great man) is an individual of this type.

Let me tell you something else along this line of thinking.  When I am building something, the contractor and I are often divided in opinion.  The reason for this is that the contractor invariable wishes to make the building ornate in appearance.  To me his ideas indicate bad taste, so I have to correct them.

The same can be said of other human beings.  Those who do not make a show of greatness are humble in everything they do and therefore impress others with their deep sincerity and fine character.  Naturally, they come to be respected by others from the heart.

Those who are serving in God's Cause in this faith should strive to be individuals who are looked up to by others in this way.

~ April 20, 1949

*KOMPEITO: Japanese sugar candies that are small, round, hard and covered with tiny spikes.

*Shojo and Daijo are Japanese words which are also used in the Buddhist faith.  There are no exact equivalents in English.  Using the closest translation, Shojo means the vertical, the narrow, the limited, and Daijo means the horizontal, the broad and the limitless.