さすが奈良、近鉄奈良駅前には行基立像がある。日本中に行基の足跡がある。聖武天皇も行基の力を借りて大仏を作った。東大寺の大仏には、聖武天皇の天然痘退散の願いがあった、各国に国分寺も建てられた。聖武天皇の願いは1200年の時を越えて、日本人によって達成された。
アフガニスタンで医師でありながら、人々にはまず水が必要だ、きれい水がなければ生活も健康もないと、土木工事に苦心した中村哲医師が思い出される。博愛主義者たちの記憶が私の心を清め安らぎを与えてくれる。
You see a statue of Gyoki in front of Kintetsu Nara Station. It's Nara! Gyoki's influence can be found throughout Japan. Emperor Shomu also relied on Gyoki's strength to construct the Great Buddha. The Great Buddha of Todai-ji was created with the hope of warding off smallpox for Emperor Shomu, and national temples were built across the country. The wishes of Emperor Shomu have been fulfilled by the Japanese people over the span of 1,200 years. In Afghanistan, I am reminded of Dr. Tetsu Nakamura, a physician who, despite being a doctor, recognized that people first need water; without clean water, there can be no life or health. He struggled with civil engineering projects. The memories of philanthropists cleanse my heart and provide me with peace.
「ward off」危険や問題を遠ざける「fend off」「stave off」「keep at bay」
The Great Buddha Statue was made on the wishes of Emperor Shomu who wanted to end the devastating outbreak of smallpox. The last known natural case was in Somalia in 1977. In 1980 WHO declared smallpox eradicated – the only infectious disease to achieve this distinction.
行基様は東大寺の方を向いている。
