by Masuo Nezu

Guide Others by Your Appearance from the Back

One day Rev. Niwano was talking with Kosan Yanagiya, the best known traditional Japanese-style comic storyteller at the time, who had been declared a living national treasure by the government. During their chat, Rev. Niwano asked, "In training young people, it is very important to praise and compliment them, isn't it?"

Kosan responded, "Sometimes when I am listening to beginners in my field practice, among the many styles of storytelling to be heard there occasionally is one that cannot be praised at all. Still, I want to say something to encourage the novice. So I say, 'At least, that was good and lively,' although I personally don't always know what was so lively about his storytelling."

Then Rev. Niwano said, "I often advise leaders: 'Guide others by your appearance from the back,' meaning how they themselves look from the rear." If you sincerely practice and walk the Way, younger junior members will follow you, realizing that they want to do likewise." Kosan replied, "What a wonderful phrase: 'Guide others by your appearance from the back.'"

Make Your Point Concisely

Founder Niwano (center) gives guidance to the ministers of Rissho Kosei-kai churches at a room in the Great Sacred Hall in the organization's Tokyo headquarters on October 13, 1992.

Founder Niwano instructed the ministers of Rissho Kosei-kai churches that in such a lay Buddhist movement it is important to see how much time members can devote to volunteer service each day.

At various times he taught: "Both when visiting the homes of others and when convening members at the church, consider their convenience. It is not good to fill up their time with long talks by yourself. Make your points concisely and then let them go, saying, 'Go and take care of your personal affairs,' or 'If you have the time, visit as many as possible of the members of your church who need guidance or care.' That kind of personal consideration is important." It was a lesson for a time when everyone seemed to be always busy. There are many people who have been able to change their lives through Rev. Niwano's example of guiding people without doing a lot of talking, sometimes even by using only a very few words.

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