One of the Japanese words most well known by foreigners may be "arigato," meaning thank you. Perhaps many of you may notice that in Rissho Kosei-kai, the word members most commonly use is "arigatai" meaning to be grateful.

Today, the word "arigatai" is used as an expression of gratitude. However, when we study where this very word has originally come from, one view is that the origin is Buddhism, particularly the Lotus Sutra. Chapter 14 of the Lotus Sutra, "Troublefree Practice" begins with the following sentence:

At that time Manjushiri Bodhisattva, the great one, Prince of the Dharma, said to the Buddha: "World - honored One, rare indeed are such bodhisattvas. Respectfully obeying the Buddha, they have made great vows that in the evil age to come they will defend, embrace, read, recite and teach this Dharma Sutra. World -honored One, how are these bodhisattvas, the great ones, to teach this Sutra in the evil age to come?"
"Rare indeed are such bodhisattvas," このもろもろの菩薩は甚だこれ有り難し　"arigatai" originally meant "it is difficult to be" "it is difficult to encounter (or meet)". That is to say, "arigato", the word to express gratitude, means that " I am touched by what you have done for me, something which is rarely possible."

This is especially meaningful for those of us who believe and study Buddhism, the Lotus Sutra in particular.

An expression which Founder Niwano used most frequently in teaching members is found in the closing words of chapter 2, "Skillful Means." "Your hearts should be filled with great joy, For you know that you too will become Buddhas."

What Rev. Niwano emphasized to members was "great joy," in practicing the teachings of the Lotus Sutra. He often said, "Those who always think and say happily, arigatai, arigatai, meaning 'I want to show gratitude,' will become happier and happier."

When I sent some articles on the Lotus Sutra and Founder Niwano to overesas friends a few years ago, Dr. Doris Hunter, an American clergywoman and scholar wrote back, using "Arigatai, Arigatai," written in Roman letters, as her closing.

Be a Guest That Is Welcomed Back

The following is a recollection of the founder by a staff member at Rissho Kosei-kai headquarters in Tokyo, after he had driven Rev. Niwano to and from the headquarters every day as well as having accompanied him on domestic dissemination tours in 1990 and thereafter.

"When I accompanied Founder Niwano on a tour for the first time, everything I saw and heard was quite new to me. I was a little nervous, as I was not aware of what my role was supposed to be. Of course, I had heard from senior staff members before our departure what I should do, but that really was not satisfactory. Unconsciously I may have been determined not to make any mistakes and to try to make myself look good. With the passing of the days, I gradually changed my mind. Founder Niwano can see everything in my heart, I thought. So long as I make the utmost effort at doing things sincerely, it cannot be helped if I make a mistake. Thinking in this way, I decided to be my natural self. Then I relaxed, and I was able to fully tackle my work.

"Rev. Niwano took good care of those of us who were around him. When we ate in a restaurant, I understand that he reminded our colleagues that some of us would be late because we were parking the cars. It seems he told them with a laugh, 'Don't forget that others will be coming soon. You'd better save some of these delicious things for them.' After the waitresses had brought the ordered dishes and seemed to have nothing else to do, he took care of us as well, ordering additional things to eat and drink.

"Since he accepted everything as it came, he recognized everything that happened as good. One day when we were staying at a hotel, going from his room to the dining room required our changing elevators twice. An ordinary person like myself might feel the distance was too great. But what Rev. Niwano said was, 'In this way we can get a good idea of the hotel facilities, and such a long walk will improve our appetites.' In the morning, we were told that the milk we were served was the local milk. Though I felt it was just ordinary packaged milk, he said, 'This is very good, isn't it?' I learned that even though the milk is the same as I could get anywhere, it may taste better if I drink it with gratitude.

"When he purchased souvenirs for his grandchildren, he didn't want to trouble the clerks to show him this and that or to bring items from elsewhere in the shop. He bought things displayed in the showcase, as they were easy to remove. On such an occasion I felt that he showed consideration for anyone that he met.

"When we stay in a hotel, we are apt to think, 'We are guests.' However, Rev. Niwano taught us, 'We had better behave so that the hotel staff is happy to have us stay with them and will want us to come back.' Throughout that trip, I became determined to accept every chance to meet others as a good opportunity and to make my best efforts to likewise be a good opportunity for others.

"When I was close to Rev. Niwano, the atmosphere always seemed bright and heart-warming. Never, not even once, did the people around him feel unpleasant. Even when one of us made a mistake, he didn't blame us, but brightly cheered up the person who had made the mistake. I felt that though he may not preach the Lotus Sutra in so words, he made us understand the eaning contained in the sutra by his deeds and behavior.

"During the two years from 1990, I accompanied him five times on domestic tours. My mother was very happy and thankful that her son could have such opportunities, something she had not expected. So far I have been doing my duty while thinking that this may be my very last such opportunity. By thinking in this way, I can devote myself fully to my assigned tasks, intending not to have any regrets later. If I think there will be 'a next time,' my sense of gratitude may be weakened."

Later this man became Rev. Niwano's last chauffeur and drove for him for some years.

The next thing I would like to discuss is Founder Niwano's own reflections regarding Sutra recitation.

Greatful for Time to Chant the Sutra

During the early period after the founding of Rissho Kosei-kai, since I was running a business it was difficult to find sufficient time to talk with believers and keep them satisfied. Being suddenly asked to come to a home where a family member had become ill was another urgent demand on my time. In those circumstances, there was not enough time to recite the Lotus Sutra," Founder Niwano once recalled.

"That is why I have been always eager to have sufficient time for sutra recitation," he said. "Now, both at home and abroad, many members are earnestly spreading the teachings. It is not necessary that I alone make the desperate effort. Thanks to the endeavors of so many members, I have enough time for recitation. I am very grateful for this. I recite the sutra with joy and gratitude."

The time he could devote to dissemination work in a single day was sixteen hours. During the remaining eight hours, Rev. Niwano had to eat and sleep and run his business. He continued in this way for a long time, and it would be many years before he was able to have enough time to recite the sutra as he wished. Thus he expressed his gratitude for being given such valuable time.　Members who were running a service trade or business in the early years sometimes did not finish their work until after midnight, then gathered for a religious meeting. The founder then taught them the Dharma. And he awoke very early each morning to conduct his own business of delivering milk. It was not an easy life.

He also once said this: "From time to time, I was overcome with drowsiness while chanting, fell backward and dropped off into a doze. When I came to, I was lying flat on my back, still holding the sutra!"

This might sound like a very exceptional example, however we may be impressed by how deeply the founder believed in the Lotus Sutra and was grateful for opportunities to recite and practice it. Once he said, "The Lotus sutra teaches how to be grateful."

These episodes are included in the Reminiscences of Founder Nikkyo Niwano. All 45 articles are now installed in the English version of the RKK web site. Next year, 2006 is the centenary anniversary of the birth of Founder Niwano. The organization has already begun a campaign called, "Let's learn from the Founder", I would be very grateful, arigatai, arigatai, if you could read them when you have time.

Thank you for your attention.