Joy

Places such as this peace pagoda were made on earth and modeled after the Ojodo. No one gains or loses anything there. I have erected this peace pagoda with the sole intention of creating a world of joy. No one shall be enraged at seeing the peace pagoda or worshipping the Lord Buddha in this way.

Everything that we have here, the flowers, adornments of the altar and drums, are tools prepared to arouse a heart of joy. Thus, tranquil shall become this realm of ours, and the life here will be ever filled with celestial beings. The celestial beings do not come from some other realms, but rather all the people who stay here step into the world of joy.

Everything lies in our own hearts and minds. It depends on how we perceive things, the reflection of our hearts and minds. We should not descend, but at least be able to have a peaceful feeling and then strive to bring forth a world of joy. We can be joyful alone, yet the world of joy will be revealed to us when there are many joyful people. All the hearts of the great number of people that gather must be filled with joy. Such people must be everywhere. The question does not lie anywhere else but in our own hearts. We should awaken to the Honzan the most precious thing in our hearts and minds.

From a talk given January 18, 1978, Sri Pada, Sri Lanka.

Teachngs of Nichidatsu Fujii.