“Buddhists, Why Do You Lack Self-Esteem?" by Manshi Kiyozawa
Citation
Kiyozawa, Manshi. “Buddhists, Why Do You Lack Self-Esteem?” December Fan: The Buddhist Essays of Manshi Kiyozawa, translated by Nobuo Haneda, Shinshu Center of America, 2014, pp. 57–67.
Quotes
- species: #quote
- themes:
Although the Buddhist dwells in oneness, he is not attached to it. He dwells in diversity, but is not attached to it, either. In the supramundane he does not forget the mundane. In the mundane he does not drown himself in worldly pursuit of fame and fortune. His compassion and wisdom work harmoniously in him and do not contradict each other. Such are the real characteristics of the Buddhist. If he has these qualities, is there anything he cannot do?
Collations
- Truly humble people are never arrogant to anyone, whereas servile people are polite to some and arrogant to others.
- tathatā (suchness)
- dharmatā (dharma nature)
- A Buddhist must live in two worlds:
- Supramundane: oneness, supreme truth, Absolute, Infinite
- Mundane: diversity, conventional truth, relative, finite, secularity
- A Buddhist must do two things:
- Mentally transcend the mundane, enter the supramundane, and look back at the mundane.
- Physically stays in the mundane, then views the supramundane while liberating others.
- Because a Buddhist sees the mundane and the supramundane in different perspectives, he appreciates oneness without letting go of making clear distinctions. A Buddhist shouldn't go to an extreme monistic view that emphasizes oneness at the expense of diversity.
- Since a Buddhist physically steps in the mundane, when he sees oneness, he could love all people without becoming attached to any particular people.
- View Buddhist practice as both gradual and instant. Per Shakyamuni, whether our practice is gradual or instant depends on what we need.
- It is important for all kinds of Buddhist students to actualize what they're learning through practice.
- Kiyozawa's criticism of Buddhism in Japan: Most Buddhist traditions, except Pure Land, have been dead because, influence by Shintoism and Confucianism, they've devoted themselves exclusively to doctrinal studies. They've become more interested in verse-by-verse interpretation of classics and not writing their own words and practicing their ideas. Also, most have focused on developing and debating complex doctrines.