by Goi Sensei in 1955 in Ichikawa Go-chome Hall
What is the present?
What is the present? The present I am speaking of is not the temporal present of the moment, but the present that connects heaven and earth, vertically and horizontally, and connects to eternity.
It is the present that encompasses all—past, present, and future.
When we open the present, eternity exists within it.
I believe it is vital for us to live fully in that present.
I am speaking to you now in this capacity with a physical life of thirty-eight years and several months. But I did not suddenly come to be in this position; it is a manifestation of a long period of refinement and training of the soul, stretching back through past lives, that has brought me to this present moment. The eternal present breathes within this present self of mine.
The present and eternity are not separate things. The present truly includes the past and is the same as eternity that includes the future. Therefore, to live the present with sincerity is to give life to the past and to the future. It is to give life to past lives and to fulfill eternal life.
When we live each moment with the utmost sincerity, it becomes Kū, and within that Kū, eternal life flourishes. The vibration of our lives comes from Kū, and it is the vibration emanating from eternal life itself.
The eternal present is not the present of a specific hour and minute, nor is it a fleeting moment of each passing instant. It is the present that connects to the Great Flow of Life, the Source of all sources, encompassing the whole Universe. It is the present that is one with the Divine. It is not the present that requires the time and place for the manifestation of karmic causes and effects; it is the present that lies at its foundation, or even transcends it.
Note:
Kū: Kū could be translated as ‘emptiness’ or ‘nothingness.’ Goi Sensei explains that Kū is not a nihilistic or negative state. It contains nothing, yet everything. It is the life of the Divine, just as it is, living vibrantly.
Live each moment to the fullest
Being truly earnest in the present means making the most of past lives in the present, making the most of the present for the future, and bringing forth the radiance of Divine Eternal Life. They can build the glorious, complete human being who is one with the Divine.
Those who believe that the present moment extends into eternity, and dedicate their thoughts and actions to living each instant fully, are the shining embodiments of divinity. No matter how dark one’s past lives may have been, if they live the present moment earnestly, the evil deeds of past lives are transformed into good deeds and brought to light. Therefore, not a single minute or second of the present should be wasted. To wastefully consume the present is to kill and bring death to one’s life.
Those who diligently refine their life every minute and second, who earnestly strive to improve themselves and practice accordingly, will inevitably develop a marked difference from those who waste their time idly indulging in frivolous pursuits. Those who realize truth in this must promptly strive to make the most of the present moment.
We must earnestly consider what truly nourishes the heart and enriches the soul, and live the present moment to the fullest.
If you say that human life is fleeting, that there is no past or future, that humans live moment by moment, and that one should therefore enjoy that fleeting life as much as possible, and indulge in sensual pleasures, that is empty. That moment is not the eternal present. Such actions are evil deeds that deplete life.
Distinguishing between the present that harbors the Divine and the present of karma is crucial. Fully living the former present ultimately leads to Buddhahood, while the latter is empty, preventing eternal enlightenment and causing one’s soul to wither and die.
How to Make the Most of the Present
So how can we make the most of the present moment?
First, you must believe that you are not merely a physical body. You must believe that you are an eternal being, one who comes from the Divine, a Wake-mitama*, or branch-spirit of the Divine. You must believe in eternal life.
You must believe that your original self exists in heaven as Choku-rei*, or the Direct Spirit.
It is important to recognize that the life originating from your heavenly self, Choku-rei, is what enables you to live here and now as your physical body.
Even when the physical self is asleep, the heavenly self, Choku-rei, works without rest. And the Guardian Spirits and Guardian Divinities, who constantly purify the impurities of that human being, Wake-mitama, in the physical, subconscious, and spiritual realms, also work tirelessly.
If you in the physical realm were in a state of emptiness where you entrusted everything to your heavenly original body, Choku-rei, or guardian spirits and guardian divinities, your Direct Spirit, Guardian Deities, and Guardian Spirits could dedicate all their power to the purification and salvation of all humanity. However, humans in the physical realm are constantly troubled, grieving, sorrowful, and fearful within the limitations of this physical realm, perpetually separating themselves from the original body with waves of karma. Consequently, the full power of the Guardian Spirits and Guardian Divinities is diverted from this purification, preventing them from dedicating their entire strength to the greater purification and salvation of humanity. It is therefore vital for us humans in the physical realm to break through the limitations of this realm and pray to connect with our original body, Choku-rei, in heaven at any time.
In the present, in each and every moment, ascending from the physical body toward the Guardian Spirits and Guardian Divinities means persistently focusing your thoughts on uniting your own thoughts perfectly with those Guardian Spirits and Divinities. When you do this, there is no need for your Guardian Spirits and Guardian Divinities to descend to you. Instead, you ascend from your physical body toward them. This generates tremendous power for purification and creates capacity. That capacity can then be directed toward the vast, expansive purification of all humanity.
Notes:
Wake-mitama: Branch-spirits of God, or a spirit branched out of God.
Choku-rei: the Direct Spirit, the Original Central Spirit
( Part 2 )
It’s Vital to Pray for World Peace
Taking one more step forward, when we offer prayers for world peace from this physical side as well, that prayer becomes equal to the prayer of the heavenly body, Choku-rei, and Guardian Divinities and Guardian Spirits. At that instant, the karma or impurities enveloping the physical body is instantly transcended, achieving unity with the divine self. Transforming each present moment, every single moment now, into such Mahayana prayer is precisely what truly brings the present to life, fully embodies the divine life, and accelerates the arrival of true world peace.
Though the physical body may be weak, the original body shines brightly, working in heaven. This physical body strives to purify and refine its own soul while seeking to realize the Heavenly Will and Divine Creation in the earthly realm.
Our self-denial that we are no good stems from seeing ourselves only as a thinking physical body, and with such mindset, our original body cannot fully function.
If you approach your daily work with the mindset of entrusting all your destiny to Guardian Spirits and Divinities, the original body can accomplish work tens of thousands of times greater than earthly efforts.
To create a good world, connect all your thought to your Guardian Spirits and Guardian Divinities, entrust everything to them, and allow your original body to function freely. Therefore, being true to yourself is important. The more sincerely you entrust yourself to the Divine, the more effectively the Divinities will be able to work.
Believing that your original body is always working freely and that it is equal to the Divine, if you faithfully perform the work given to you, a truly good world will swiftly and rapidly be realized.
If you stay calm and patient, remain optimistic and cheerful, and devote yourself wholeheartedly to living in the present, the world itself will gradually become enlightened.
True prayer is performed by the Divine Itself. When all thought is melted into the Divine, the physical body remains unshaken, allowing Divine Light to enter directly from Heaven. Therefore, a magnificent power flows forth.
True Prayer Is a Proclamation of Life.
Prayer is the act of proclaiming one’s life, a proclamation of life itself. The declaration: “My life is one with the Divine. It is Divine Life.” is prayer.
Prayer is not something your physical body and mind do. It’s a proclamation that your Choku-rei, direct spirit, and Wake-mitama, branch spirit, declare to the Divinity of the Universe, “I am one with you.”
Saying things like, “Even someone like me prays, it won’t make anything.” defiles the Holy Spirit. It may superficially appear humble, but it’s actually a display of contemptuous pride and only serves to cause trouble.
Prayer is the union of the life operating within the physical body and the Life filling every corner of the Universe. That is why humanity desires peace for humanity and peace for the world. It is not a request, but a declaration that peace is already here. The prayer for peace unites with the Divinity of the Universe, eliminating the darkness surrounding the earth with Light.
Life connects with life, and the Divinity of the Universe connects with the Choku-rei and Wake-mitama. And thus, the power of the Divine flows forth directly. Therefore, true prayer is powerful.
The Prayer for World Peace
Small wishes are granted even without asking. You are already saved, even without desiring salvation. Therefore, you should set aside such minor wishes and instead pray with a Mahayana spirit:
May peace prevail on earth.
May peace in Japan (our homes and countries).
This is the vital, foremost thing for humanity to do now.
When you pray through your Guardian Spirits and Guardian Divinities for peace in the world and in Japan, you expand into the Universe and unite with the Divine. This is the truth of Kū-soku-jissō*, and you truly become Kū.
Note:
Kū-soku-jissō: The Life of the Divine is appearing in the reality itself.
When you truly call out to the Divine, your thoughts merge with the Divine, leaving you empty and radiant with the true essence. Then, a wonderful power naturally emerges.
It is not that you cling pleading for help. It is a mistake if you think that is religious faith. You are already saved. The original self of human being is the radiant Divinity. That is your true body. The physical body is merely an instrument. Knowing this truth, you should awaken the great bodhisattva* heart that desires to save humanity and the world. Connect with your Guardian Spirits and Guardian Divinities so that the Divine may work effectively, and pray wholeheartedly for the peace of the world and Japan.
Note:
Bodhisattva: is a person who is on the path towards bodhi (‘awakening’) or Buddhahood
By doing so, anxiety vanishes and the mind becomes unshakable. Thus, no matter what suffering arises, those who practice this Mahayana* prayer maintain deeper security in their hearts than those who do not. They keep their minds at ease, finding peace even in hardship. When suffering ends, their souls make a magnificent ascent.
Note:
Mahayana: Mahāyāna refers to the path of the bodhisattva striving to become a fully awakened Buddha for the benefit of all sentient beings
Your Prayer Prevents Natural Disasters.
Ordinary prophetic religions all claim that catastrophes will occur. However, I assert that no such catastrophes will happen.
Why not? Because there are prayers for World Peace offered by those who have come to know Hon-tai*, or the original self, of a human being.
Note:
Hon-tai: the original self
It is through the prayers for the great world peace offered by those who have come to know the original body of humanity and those who seek genuine peace. In other words, it is because you are praying with the great aspiration for world peace that catastrophes are being eliminated. The people gathered here possess the vital power to prevent such disasters. Each and every one of you must prevent them. If calamities occur, the sick, the poor, the wealthy, and those in power—all will be equally destroyed. Therefore, praying for world peace to prevent natural disasters is a great task and a great power.
It’s fine to pray for business prosperity, recovery from illness, and other minor concerns. But it’s more important to consider the fundamental issues.
Being connected to Guardian Spirits and Guardian Deities and praying for world peace is a vital task for building a heavenly kingdom on earth. If many people pray with this mindset, the heavenly kingdom on earth will surely be established sooner.
You are the one who will save the earth.
You must firmly believe that living while praying for world peace is doing admirable work for the peace of humanity. If you can truly understand this, you cannot imagine how joyful and meaningful life will become.
You must live a life centered on the divine, praying day and night that you are one with the divine while diligently performing your daily work and household duties. This shall become the power for Japan’s peace and the power to save humanity.
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