Human beings are the only living things that are destroying the earth's environment. Yet, we are the very same ones attempting to protect it. Learning the lesson of the Gumyo bird (if you are unfamiliar with the story, please refer to the last month’s issue), I sense that the ideas for protecting the environment are just our overbearing sense of arrogance.
Not having enough concern for the earth's environment, the arrogance that we hold has prioritized convenience and an efficient economy. As a result, we are only causing the earth's environment to worsen.
It is important that we start to think about the other living things on our planet. We are all linked and living together, in one life. With this life, we must think of solutions that can help to prevent ourselves from trampling on the life of other living things. Although this would require a lot of adjusting, through perseverance and patience, it can be done. We must start from somewhere, to make this a better life to live.
We are taught that everything is valuable. As Rennyo Shonin has taught us, he was walking down the hallway when he noticed a fallen piece of paper. Picking the paper up, he held it up with both hands, making a reverent gesture. "This is wasting a gift bestowed to us from the Buddha."
Rennyo Shonin also teaches us that everything is valuable and that all things have a priceless life. We are constantly being reminded that taking things for granted and carelessly wasting that away would only be regretful. In doing so, Amida is also guiding us in "taking the first step."
Namo Amida Butsu
Tatsuya Aoki
