by Masuo Nezu

These are personal reminiscences about the late founder Rev. Nikkyo Niwano from his former chief secretary, Masuo Nezu, now in retirement. During his years of service, the writer accompanied Rev. Niwano on dissemination tours, interreligious cooperation activities, and peace promotion work, both in Japan and overseas. This series recalls not only heartwarming episodes from the founder's everyday life, but also the spiritual insights derived from his words and deeds.

12

Be a Guest That Is Welcomed Back

The following is a recollection of the founder by a staff member at Rissho Kosei-kai headquarters in Tokyo, after he had driven Rev. Niwano to and from the headquarters every day as well as having accompanied him on domestic dissemination tours in 1990 and thereafter.

Even during his favorite time, soaking in a hot bath, Rev. Niwano preaches the Lotus Sutra to members at a hotel's baths in the Unzen Hot Spring resort in Nagasaki Prefecture on October 17, 1980.

"When I accompanied Founder Niwano on a tour for the first time, everything I saw and heard was quite new to me. I was a little nervous, as I was not aware of what my role was supposed to be. Of course, I had heard from senior staff members before our departure what I should do, but that really was not satisfactory. Unconsciously I may have been determined not to make any mistakes and to try to make myself look good. With the passing of the days, I gradually changed my mind. Founder Niwano can see everything in my heart, I thought. So long as I make the utmost effort at doing things sincerely, it cannot be helped if I make a mistake. Thinking in this way, I decided to be my natural self. Then I relaxed, and I was able to fully tackle my work.

"Rev. Niwano took good care of those of us who were around him. When we ate in a restaurant, I understand that he reminded our colleagues that some of us would be late because we were parking the cars. It seems he told them with a laugh, 'Don't forget that others will be coming soon. You'd better save some of these delicious things for them.' After the waitresses had brought the ordered dishes and seemed to have nothing else to do, he took care of us as well, ordering additional things to eat and drink.

"Since he accepted everything as it came, he recognized everything that happened as good. One day when we were staying at a hotel, going from his room to the dining room required our changing elevators twice. An ordinary person like myself might feel the distance was too great. But what Rev. Niwano said was, 'In this way we can get a good idea of the hotel facilities, and such a long walk will improve our appetites.' In the morning, we were told that the milk we were served was the local milk. Though I felt it was just ordinary packaged milk, he said, 'This is very good, isn't it?' I learned that even though the milk is the same as I could get anywhere, it may taste better if I drink it with gratitude.