Always Keep Smiling

　　　　Recently many people in Japan seem to become angry for only the most minor reasons, and in a fair number of cases this leads to trouble. It could be said that this is because we are forgetting to empathize with others, which is what is most important to human beings, while busily attaining material wealth. When we become extremely angry, a chemical substance reportedly is released in our bodies that is so virulent a poison it would be fatal to a mouse.
　　　　Significantly, as we are told by the teaching of the oneness of ourselves and others, in essence we are all of one body, and each and every one of us should wish to lead our lives through the realization of that teaching. The evidence of this is that anger never creates good feelings in us. It makes others feel unpleasant, and we ourselves become tormented by our folly.
　　　　The passage on repentance in the Flower Garland Sutra tells us, “All wrong actions, from beginningless time, stem from greed, anger, and ignorance.” We can understand that we contain those three poisons within ourselves. Despite that, we arrogantly think that we are right or superior to others, and this arrogance causes anger to arise in our hearts. When we awaken to the realm of nondelusion where we and others are part of the one great life-force, we can perceive that the other person is part of our own selves; then our anger is automatically calmed.
　　　　“Smile, do not be angry” teaches us not only to calm our anger and be peaceful, but also the importance of looking at things dispassionately.

Remember to Be Repentant

　　　　The Four Universal Vows of Buddhism are said to be common to all bodhisattvas and to be the vows of all human beings as well. Because the beginningless greed, anger, and ignorance I just mentioned have no starting point and have always existed, they also have no end. What is important here is that we remember to always be repentant.
　　　　When we realize this, then for instance even if someone we have believed in betrays us, before we become angry with that person we fully experience the feeling of repenting that we ourselves may have done something that caused the person to betray us.  Then, when that feeling is perceived by the betraying person, he or she will be open to rebuilding understanding and trust in each other.
　　　　The first sermon Shakyamuni preached after attaining enlightenment was for five monks. At first, these monks rejected him as a corrupted individual who had quit ascetic practices, but Shakyamuni preached the Dharma to them with a gentle and forbearing heart.
　　　　As Buddhism describes this world of suffering, the saha-world, as a land of endurance, we should maintain a mind of gentleness and forbearance, and thus avoid being either arrogant or servile. When we keep our temperament under control by ensuring that our hearts are filled with kindness, we can attain a true state of peace and serenity.