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Learn How to Move Your Body

Surely we can say that everyone wishes to lead a meaningful life.The proof of this can be seen in the fact that most people have a goal in life that they hope to reach.
In a recent opinion survey in Japan, sixty percent of the young people who were queried responded that they had a goal for their future. Of course those goals might vary widely, but this is an indication that young people are moving ahead seeking to accomplish a purpose in life.

All of us naturally wish for the happiness of our immediate family. When we realize this wish is closely related to the hope that Japan’s beloved writer Kenji Miyazawa expressed in the words “Until the entire world becomes happy, there can be no happiness for the individual,” then we can begin making our lives worthwhile.

Masahiko Fujiwara, a professor at Ochanomizu University and the author of The Dignity of a Nation, wrote in a recent newspaper article that “There are shameful chapters in our history, which is true of every person and of every country.

As long as we recall only those chapters and hang our heads low, we cannot generate thepower needed to develop a meaningful future . . . Turn off the television set and instead start reading. Make contact with the great art and culture-- the stories, novels, and poetry -- which have been created in Japan.

You will feel pride in your country and deep respect for our forebears who developed a culture of such a high level that it can surely be considered one of the glories of humanity.” Professor Fujiwara has high expectations for today’s young people.

By coming into contact with the spirit of our forebears and the history of our nation through our reading, we can ponder deeply the preciousness of learning the wisdom of life and the power to develop a meaningful future.


Turn off the Television and Read

The anatomy expert Takeshi Yoro wrote in a recent newspaper article titled “Children Used to Convenience! ‘Endurance’Lessons?Move Your Bodies”: “What is needed from now on in education is teaching the importance of bodily movement. In particular, children learning how to move their bodies in the right way while they are still young can make a great difference in thedevelopment of their ability to learn.”

The educator Nobuzo Mori uses the example of school walking excursions, saying, “It is because we endure physical difficulty that we become spiritually strong individuals,” and in order to become full-developed human beings, we need to learn perseverance and patience. Young people need to start setting concrete goals as they look ahead to prepare for their future lives. That way they can live each day meaningfully.

On April 8 we celebrate Shakyamuni’s birthday. Let us follow the Way leading to true happiness by learning from the spirit of Shakyamuni, who made the great vow to save all living beings and traveled far and wide on his journey to disseminate his teachings.