“The lecture of Hannyashin sutra” by Kakushyo Takagami The 4th

‘The eternal life.’

35) In short, ‘emptiness’ is ‘emptiness of Hannya’ and does not simply mean like a dualism, to be or nothing. One of ancient Chinese Buddhist master, Shyuken Daishi (644~712) said.

If see ‘form is emptiness’, he will get the great wisdom.

If see ‘emptiness is form’, he will get deep affection. 

This verse makes me consider. Because great wisdom means profound wisdom and is true wisdom namely.

36） Correct Jihi; love is not blind love like a cow licking her calf. Jihi in Buddhist teaching means that correct love based on real wisdom namely. Therefore, at least in Buddhism, Jihi and wisdom are two and are one simultaneously. When I hear the name of the Buddhist image now, I recall Buddhist image which has a gentle figure like a Avalokiteshvara or Jizo. But there is a fierce look at Buddhist image like a Fudo-myoo; Acala. 

37) By the way, there is no distinction about parental affection for children like high and low. The expression of affection, of course, there is a certain peculiar attitude between father’s affection and mother’s affection for child. Affection of a strict father and affection of a tender mother, speaking of distinction, that is it. Those are his scolding affection and her hugging affection.

38）At least in Buddhism, the philosophy of wisdom and the religion of Jihi; affection are two and are one together.  Children may think that their parent’s mind may change their mind. That is child’s prejudice. In fact, nothing is difference affection between father and mother to their child. By scolding and hugging once, child will never go off the right path, will never fall into evil path, and grow honesty and fast.

39) Issa Kobayashi said that it is cold no one scolding me at snooze. It is lonely absolutely that we have no one give scolding. We should need one who gives scolding when grow up adult increasingly. I should want those who have a frank and critical opinion to my behavior. There are many persons who give to blame and criticize behind me back. However, in fact, we have very few persons to criticize directly.

40) For example, even if different facial expressions, the tears of wisdom and the tears of affection are nothing distinction in the mind. My ancle who died thirteen years ago, remained this poem for me. 

Father illuminated and mother had shed a drop of tears, 

and the Nadeshiko stood up by the same benefit.

I don’t know who composed it. I think, keep in mind, it is a remarkable poem surely. 

41) Owing to strict father’s mind and tender mother’s mercy, when I remember delightful memories and look back on dear my parents, I am deeply grateful for discovering the profound and holy Buddhism as a philosophy or religion.

42) Hannya is said to mean a Buddhist mother. Indeed, Hannya is mother who raises all Buddha and is the basis for the birth of all Buddha.

43) From a high point, from a so-called holistic perspective, if you see everything with your own eyes, all things are neither arising nor ceasing, neither dirt nor purity, neither increasing nor decreasing.

44) Like that law of energy is the scientific truth and the electronic quantity which create everything in the universe is unchangeable law, everything done by gathering Karma and keeping it empty are neither arising nor ceasing, neither increasing nor decreasing altogether. 

45) Zen master Dogen said that to awaken one’s life and death is Karma what the significant matter for Buddhist. However, awakening one’s life and death is not only Buddhist disciples. I think everybody have to do that. 

46） ‘Even if passing away in Musashino field, I keep on the Japanese spirit.’ Shoin Yoshida (1830~1859) who left the poem of farewell, passed away like a dewdrop of the execution, was a just person who was not bound by life and death. He was not afraid of death. He transcended ‘life and death’ with obedience of ‘life and death’, acquired the truth of ‘neither arising nor ceasing’, the so-called had done alive with death. He sent a letter to his sister like that.

‘Now, immortality means that, what feel familiar with, Buddha and Confucius are alive now. because, people delight, feel grateful, feel with awe them.’ It is sure, should be appreciate those words.

47) Let’s live to be strong, firmly, calmly, making up our mind to be with death looking for eternal life.

Translated by Giken Yoshitomi