Essay 9

Whenever I see it

I have none at all

Mind-power     Vow-power

Namo Amida Butsu

From the perspective of Buddha-Dharma, “remaining foolish” does not mean to be unknowledgeable. That is the “foolishness” of an illiterate person. When Buddha is compared to foolish beings (bombu), when you realize the “honorability of the Buddha,” you naturally will go for refuge to the Buddha. This we term “remaining foolish.”

People who do not know the “honorability of the Buddha” are not fit to be called “foolish” at all—they are simply scoundrels. Gathering the wise and learned from all over the world and comparing their wisdom to that of the Exalted One (Shakyamuni), you will realize the difference, just like between elephants and ants. Try to study the Western philosophies or theology, just one page and see, the truth will come to light. You have never studied them; therefore, you do not realize how great the Buddha is.

Humans are “ignorant” and do not pay respect to the Buddha. Because they do not pay respect to the Buddha, they have no faith (shinjin). Scoundrels do not know the mightiness of Buddha, so they do not know to respect the Buddha. This is really troublesome.

Zuiken Sama