To move another person’s heart is not based on the way one talks or strategy but ones ‘heart intent’, it derives from ones ‘heart desire’, the sincerity and genuineness hoping that others will attain happiness.
- Mr. Ikeda

All of us inevitably have family members, friends, fellow members and cute Junior Division members whom we are close to whom we’d wished that they’d always be healthy, safe and most importantly attain happiness. But what can we do so that they can truly be happy? In this guidance, Mr. Ikeda mentioned that the secret to happiness lies within our ‘hearts’. Whenever we have any good intentions, we should put it into action and realize it. When our determination is strong, whatever we do will be swift, precise and without any hesitation.

Once upon a time there was a country called Qi. There is a story of two best friends, one named Guan Zhong and the other named Bao Shu Ya. When they were young, Guan Zhong’s family was very poor and he has to take care of his mother. When Bao Shu Ya came to know about it, he asked Guan Zhong to invest in a business. But because Guan Zhong didn’t have any money then, Bao Shu Ya helped him to pay his share of capital investment in the business. However, when they’ve earned profits, Guan Zhong took more than Bao Shu Ya. When Bao Shu Ya’s servants noticed, they said: ‘Look how uncanny Guan Zhong is his share of capital is lesser than our master but in turn he gets more money than our master!’ Bao Shu Ya then explained to his servants: ‘You mustn’t say that! Guan Zhong is poor and he needs to look after his mother, getting a bit more of our share is alright.’

There was an incident when Guan Zhong and Bao Shu Ya went to war and every time they launch an attack Guan Zhong always hides at the back and everyone scolded him saying: ‘Guan Zhong is afraid of death!’ Upon hearing their remarks, Bao Shu Ya immediately defended Guan Zhong saying: ‘All of you misunderstood Guan Zhong, he isn’t afraid of death because he still has to live to look after his mother!’ Upon hearing this Zhong Guan said: ‘my parents gave birth to me, where as the person who understands me most is Bao Shu Ya!’ Then after, Qi country’s king died and the crown prince became king. The new king only eats, drinks, and enjoys all day doing nothing. Bao Shu Ya sensed that Qi country will soon have internal strife so he brought his son Xiao Bai with him and get out of the country to Ju state, whereas Zhong Guan brought his son called Jiu and fleed to Lu state.

Soon after, the crown prince was assassinated and internal strife occurred in Qi country. Guan Zhong wanted to kill Xiao Bai so that his son, Jiu could easily become king but unfortunately his aim wasn’t angled properly. Xiao Bai didn’t die. Then, Bao Shu Ya and Xiao Bai returned to Qi country much earlier than Guan Zhong and Jiu. Hence, Xiao Bai was appointed as the king. As king, Xiao Bai decided to appoint Bao Shu Ya as the Prime Minister but Bao Shu Ya said: ‘Guan Zhong is much better than me in all areas; you should appoint him as the Prime Minister!’  Xiao Bai then said: ‘Guan Zhong tried to kill me. He is my enemy and now you expect me to appoint him as the Prime Minister!’ Bao Shu Ya then replied: ‘It is not his fault, he did so to help his Jiu!’ Upon listening to Bao Shu Ya’s explanation, Xiao Bai appointed Guan Zhong as the Prime Minister and in turn Guan Zhong did very well and offered great support to Xiao Bai in governing the country!

In this story, Guan Zhong has always been safeguarded by his bosom friend, Bao Shu Ya. Bao Shu Ya relentlessly strived for Guan Zhong’s happiness where in many instances he even gave up his own benefits all for the sake of his friend. Are we like him?

Junior Division’s learning arena isn’t just limited within our meetings; they needed Junior Division’s PIC consideration and relentless home visits so that they are truly able to grow emotionally, physically and spiritually with a truly happy childhood. Mr. Ikeda said: ‘Childhood encompasses all of one’s life.’ If we disdain and forget our childhood, it is equivalent to disdaining others as well as your own precious treasure.

Striving for the sake of other people’s happiness in turn will cause your life to be happy too. Just mere blowing ones horn is useless. Whenever the people around us say for example, our family members or friends are in trouble, we should do our utmost to chant for them and do something for their happiness. Through dialogue and home visits, we are able to understand them more, the situation they are in and offer them the appropriate help and encouragement. 

Just a word or a kind regard can touch people’s heart. The ‘heart’ is the basis of everything. To move someone’s ‘heart’ is still ones ‘heart’. We must possess a very strong heart to be able to open up our life state and to see other people’s virtue. If we are narrow minded, we won’t be able to embrace and tolerate others, what more to say to strive for other people’s happiness.

Mr. Ikeda said: ‘The heart is flawed because of ‘hatred’ and ‘exclusion’ and because of intolerance the grounds are dry, for as long as we water droplets of water of ‘dialogue’, ‘trust’ and ‘friendship’, fertile fields will incessantly flourish. Though the path seems distant but I firmly believed that it is the most reliable and is indestructible path.

Let us all strive for the happiness of the children as well as the people around us and be known as the Professor of Happiness!

Labels: e. Words of mentor