by Masuo Nezu

Guiding Others Requires Patience

When people become diligent in practicing the Dharma, they soon tend to expect the same diligence from others. Rev. Niwano taught, however, "When guiding others, you also need patience. Depending on their capacity to understand Buddhist teachings, there are people who can understand quickly and those who cannot. Unless one comes to such an understanding by oneself, it is difficult to make those who are slow to understand diligent in practicing the Dharma, even by logical persuasion."

"The Lotus Sutra tells us to know 'who is mature and who is immature' (chapter 4, "Faith and Understanding"). To do this, first you need to discern whether the person has a mature or immature capacity, and only then should you teach the Dharma. Even strawberries before becoming red are not tasty. Well ripened, they are delicious. It is the same kind of thing."

On November 15, 1991, Rev. Nichiko Niwano is inaugurated as new president of Rissho Kosei-kai when his father, Rev. Nikkyo Niwano (foreground), hands him the certificate of his "Inheritance of the Lamp of the Dharma" on the platform in the Great Sacred Hall at Tokyo headquarters.

In the course of delivering a sermon including the above-mentioned topics, Rev. Niwano would refer to "committing the offense of pressing oil" (chapter 26, "Incantations or Dharanis"), of the Lotus Sutra. "Long ago, when people in India wanted to make oil, they would gather seeds, like those of the sesame and flax plants which can produce oil, and then press them lightly, patiently squeezing the seeds carefully so as to produce oil drop by drop. Though it may be easier and faster to obtain oil by pressing the seeds with great force, worms and pieces of the seeds' husks are also squeezed out in the process so the oil is not pure. In order to produce quality oil, you have to be patient. When developing human talents, do not be in a hurry for the fruit."

After the Inheritance of the Lamp of the Dharma ceremony in 1991, the duties of president were transferred to the founder's son Nichiko. When dealing with his very busy schedule, the new President Nichiko Niwano experienced the solitude required in making major decisions. He sought to bear the solitude together with the heavy weight of his responsibilities. One day he said, "Though he did not express it in so many words, the founder was watching me with warmth in his heart. Patience is the deep affection of a father. Without using any words, he was abiding patiently. These days, I truly feel his deep affection."

For many parents who want their children to inherit the faith, and to those leaders who earnestly want to guide those below them and children in the faith, this lesson of patience, "wait with trust," is valuable and profound.

This series of articles was originally published in Japanese in 2000 under the title Kaiso Zuimonki: Egao no Ushirosugata.