This time, Inamori* spoke about the above motto in Kyocera philosophy.
What Inamori said is quoted with “”.
“ Accumulate good deeds. In China, a proverb says, ‘A family that accumulates good deeds will be blessed.’ This means that good deeds should be accumulated as much as possible so that the family can have luck simply because they accumulated good deeds in a form of hidden virtues. Do good deeds, think of good things, and accumulate hidden virtues.
We often use the word “virtue” to describe “a person who is compassionate” or “a person with virtue,” but what is virtue? Simply, virtue means having an altruistic heart. To be kind, considerate, and help others. A person who has such thoughts and puts such things into practice is a virtuous person. Those who have a noble philosophy or ideas are not always virtuous. I think that a person who makes it their life’s norm to serve others and the world is a virtuous person. “
The words of Mr. Inamori are reproduced from the Inamori Library.
At the beginning of the year, I would like to think about good deeds and hidden virtues.
There are three reasons why Inamori places such importance on these things.
1. To avoid unexpected negative outcomes (negative intentions lead to negative results)
2. Eventually to gain the help from others
3. To refine one’s own soul
Let me explain them one by one.
1. To avoid unexpected negative outcomes (negative intentions lead to negative results)
” I always say to my staff, ‘Doing good things always produces good results. It’s the same in business. Never be greedy in business,’ so I bought AVX’s shares, which were priced at $20, for $32. I overcame the objections of my lawyer and also gave AVX a very good deal, saying that if I were to buy a company, it would never work out unless the people on the other side were happy with it.
As a result, while all Japanese companies suffered huge losses (after the bubble burst in early 90’s), Kyocera was the only one to make a huge profit. Using this fact as an example, I told my staff that ‘Thoughts create karma’ and ‘Thoughts always come true.’ “
→ The above is what Inamori explained when Kyocera acquired an American company. I think that doing business with overseas companies is very difficult. However, you need to properly anticipate what the other party wants and think about how to have them occupy the winning position.
Think about how you can get the other party to agree to the deal comfortably. Moreover, think about whether this action is good for the other party (whether it will be a great good over the long term to that counterpart). I thought that these things were important. I want to think carefully again about what went wrong and work on the deal again.
2. Eventually to gain the help from others
“ I believe that hoisting the sails while waiting for the wind of others’ help is exactly the act of polishing one’s own heart into a beautiful one. Honestly, most of the tasks in this world, you cannot complete by yourself. You must ask for others’ help. However, to receive the help of others, you must hoist the sails by yourself.
The act of hoisting the sails means purifying one’s own heart and turning it into a beautiful heart that ‘does good for others’ rather than a heart that is full of selfishness. In other words, it means having an altruistic heart. ”
→ I don’t think life or business will go well if you rely too much on others. However, I think it’s important to do our best. Use all our wisdom, make the most of what we have, and continue to make efforts. I think this kind of behavior is important. We need to keep our efforts so that “God may eventually want to see and help us.”
3. To refine one’s own soul
“ I have said that the best way to polish and elevate your mind is to follow the principles of the Six Paramitas preached by the Buddha. By practicing the six principles of ‘Giving’, ‘Self-discipline’, ‘Diligence’, ‘Patience’, ‘Meditation’ and ‘Wisdom’, you can polish and elevate your mind.
You will always be able to hold wonderful ‘good thoughts’ in your heart. ‘Giving’ means dedicating yourself to others. Doing good things for others, helping others. This is the same as altruism. “
→ I think that humans, animals, plants, and other things that are born into this world are existing to polish their hearts and souls. Therefore, I think that we are naturally programmed to get fulfilled when we can help and please others.
Dr. Tetsu Nakamura, a doctor who helped local people in Afghanistan, when he was asked ‘Why did a doctor dig wells and open irrigation channels in Afghanistan?’ responded, ‘If you see someone lying on the road, you give them a hand – that’s natural’.”
Making our family, colleagues, friends, acquaintances, and customers fulfilled is what satisfies us. Our own fulfillment is what drives us to act. I will do my best to keep this cycle of altruism practice.
So, to sum up, I think it’s important to practice altruism to prevent bad things from happening, to receive unexpected help from others, and for the fulfillment of our own mind and soul. I’m still not very good at it, but by repeatedly reflecting on myself, I would like to be able to perform altruism naturally and unconsciously.
* Mr. Kazuo Inamori, the founder of Kyocera, KDDI (one of the top tele communication companies in Japan) and the top of revitalization project of JAL. As a well-known Japanese entrepreneur, he has been sharing his experiences and management know-how with managements of small to middle companies in Japan.
Further queries or doubts, please email to ytomizuka@abrilsjp.com
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