Indeed, we can see Kenji’s strong determination to empathize with other people’s suffering and mental anguish by going to them, wherever they are, and doing whatever he can for them—and this is the mission of people who lead their lives as bodhisattvas in this real, saha world.

Indeed, we can see Kenji’s strong determination to empathize with other people’s suffering and mental anguish by going to them, wherever they are, and doing whatever he can for them—and this is the mission of people who lead their lives as bodhisattvas in this real, saha world.

We should all be the kind of people who never forget the true way of life for humanity—that is, loving our own countries and cherishing other people—by making ourselves the light and making the Dharma our light. Then we can bring to the world the happiness of sharing with each other instead of taking from each other and entrust the next generation with such a world.

As you know, Kenji Miyazawa was a firm believer in the Lotus Sutra, and I think that he conveys, in the form of stories and poetry, the teachings of the One Vehicle and the idea of eternal life that are revealed in the Lotus Sutra. In doing so, though, he had no intention of indoctrinating people, and Kenji himself warned, “Never think of indoctrinating others!”