Reply to Shijō Kingo

Accept suffering as suffering, joy as joy; life consists of suffering and joy; therefore recite “Namu Myoho Renge-kyo” for either case. Isn’t this religious ecstasy? Please strive to keep firm faith.

(Explanatory note)

Life is half suffering and half joy. When things are difficult, there is no use in brooding; when things are going well, there is no need to be in the “seventh heaven” because there is no guarantee that he will not fall into illusion as extreme happiness turns into deep sadness. Therefore when you are suffering, you should openly accept and live with it. When joy comes to you, you should calmly accept it and enjoy it. Thus you should consider both suffering and joy as part of life and recite the Odaimoku with constant feeling. Isn’t this creating and living in the so-called religious ecstasy? There is no purer, higher, and holier spiritual stage than this. Therefore make effort to have a strong faith.