“Cultivating People, Creating Things” — The Foundations of Character Formation

In this issue, I would like to take up the theme shown in the title from the book Nihonjin yo, Hahagokoro ni Kaere (“Japanese People, Return to a Mother’s Heart”) by Master Masando Sasaki,* a great Aikido teacher and chief priest of the Yamakage Shinto tradition.

Words by Mr. Sasaki are quoted in “ ” below.

 

“The Earth, rotating on its axis while revolving in its orbit, is a living being that constantly performs the wondrous harmony of transformation toward purity and the creation of infinite change. Thus, the universe itself is a single living entity in which all things, the myriad beings of heaven and earth, are united. Within it, plants and animals are beautiful because they fully express their individuality, and therefore they inherit the imperishable life that flows through ceaseless cycles of birth, change, and renewal.

Within this whole, human beings are called to live out their individuality fully, as men and as women, each in their own way. And if we ask what the individuality and purpose of human beings truly are, it is this: to create things through awakening to the laws of the universe and the universal spirit. ‘Things’ here mean not only products, but also people and buildings, and further, the creation of communities and cities, ultimately integrated into the making of a nation. Among these, the cultivation of human beings is the very practice of living itself. “

 

This time, the discussion is profoundly deep, and it seems to be closely connected to real estate, which is also the core business of our company.

I understand that Master Sasaki emphasizes the following points as fundamental to the cultivation of people, which lies at the very root of all creation:

 

 

 

Let me explain each one of above in detail.

 

１ Turning our attention to what we usually take for granted

Words of Master Sasaki

“In a corner of a rooftop atop a soil-less building, a beautiful plant takes root in dust and blossoms its delicate flowers across the vast universe. The force of life running through it is greater than even the skyscraper itself..”

 

(My Commentary)

Sanma Akashiya, a famous Japanese comedian, once said, ‘Just being alive is already a huge profit.’ Truly, it is only because we are alive that we can act in this world, using our bodies and our minds. When we reflect on this, we cannot help but feel deep gratitude for being kept alive. And at the same time, we feel that we must live with all our strength and give our very best

 

２ Being grateful for the fact that one is being sustained in life

Words of Master Sasaki

“Within this vast universe, on the Earth that exists within it, and among all the plants and animals that inhabit this planet, human beings alone have discovered the unseen laws of reality and have carved a history of progress and development.

The unseen reality is known through what is visible, through the air we feel, through light and heat. One clear and sufficient illustration of this is the discovery of universal gravitation through the simple observation of an apple falling.

Living comfortably amid a rich material civilization is entirely the result of these universal laws; it is not something created by human beings themselves. Humans have merely made use of those laws to create technologies. Then who created these laws? They are called God, Buddha, life itself, the philosophy, and also the universal spirit.”

 

(My comment)

→ A scholar once said that the ultimate question of philosophy is whether or not we define the existence of something that stands at a dimension higher than human beings.

I believe this is absolutely true. Without recognizing the existence of something greater, human beings become arrogant. They lose their humility. The discipline of Sanmeigaku, which I am currently studying, also begins with recognizing this greater existence, the principle of Yin and Yang as well as the Five Elements.

At the root of cultivating human beings lies this single point: whether or not we are able to remain humble.

If human beings were omnipotent and omniscient gods, humility would naturally disappear. What is truly problematic are those who create the notion of being “chosen by God” and come to regard themselves as gods. I believe we must constantly examine ourselves and discipline our own minds to ensure that we do not fall into this tendency.

 

３ Reflecting on the true value of life

Words of Master Sasaki

“’The greatest wealth and honor reside within the mind and body.’

That is to say, in the reality of the present moment, whether one is a king or noble who has reached the highest rank, or a person without name or title, all have two eyes and one nose, walk on their feet, grasp with their hands, and none speak with their backsides. Standing space is no more than half a tatami mat; sleeping space is one mat. Even if one rules the world, four and a half mats are enough. No matter how arrogant one may become, one wears but a single set of clothes, eats two bowls of rice, and cannot store sleep, food, or clothing in advance. In the bath we are all naked; in the privy we all look the same. Whether one lives in tears or dwells in laughter, it is the same fleeting world.

Even if one were to say, ‘You live to one hundred, and I to ninety-nine,’ and attain a long life of a hundred years, it amounts to no more than thirty-six thousand five hundred days. Therefore, what matters is not how long one lived, but how highly one lived in value.”

 

(My comment)

→ I believe this means living in accordance with the fundamental principles and laws of this universe. Sanmeigaku also helps us turn our attention to the destiny we have been given and to become aware of who we truly are.

For example, I have been given a role like that of the sun. Therefore, I am destined to shine light on everyone equally, to be a warm-hearted person, and to continue steady, diligent effort day by day. I felt that it is important to become aware of this and to strive to live as such a person.

 

 

*Master Masando Sasaki

Born in 1929 in Nagai City, Yamagata Prefecture.

After overcoming many hardships in his youth, he graduated from the Faculty of Economics and the Advanced Course of the Faculty of Law at Chuo University.

After resigning from his post at the Defense Agency, he encountered Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, and devoted himself to martial arts and the cultivation of the human spirit, eventually becoming an Aikido instructor.

While seeking the true path of life, he practiced waterfall austerities, zazen, and trained in groups such as “Ichiku-kai” and “Itsui-kai.”

He later met his life mentor, Nakamura Tempu, and studied under him.

Through a fortunate connection, he became associated with Yamakage Motoo and was ordained as a priest of the Yamakage Shinto tradition, serving as the chief priest of Kamifukuoka Nishimiya Shrine.

In 1977, he was invited by the French Ministry of Culture to Paris as a Shinto instructor at the “Dojo for the Restoration of Human Nature,” and he visited France again in 1985.

Alongside teaching Aikido, he traveled throughout Japan delivering “Sasaki Dharma Talks,” expounding on the traditional Japanese cultural arts—such as martial arts, tea ceremony, and flower arrangement—and on the true path of being human.

 

 

Further queries or doubts, please email to ytomizuka@abrilsjp.com

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