As we observe the hundredth year of Won-Buddhism, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to the Founding Master Sotaesan who established Won-Buddhism. I also extend my sincere thanks to ordained and lay members whose dedication and sacrifice has laid a solid foundation for the future of Won-Buddhism. Their unsparing dedication has enabled Won-Buddhism to emerge as a new world religion. And to all those who have given their continuous support for the advancement of Won-Buddhism during the past ten decades, I offer my heartfelt appreciation.
While there is great delight in this celebration, we must not lose sight of the work ahead, nor the commitment to create a vast and immeasurable paradise in this world. We should continue to follow the will and intention of the Founding Master Sotaesan by practicing well.
Let us practice beginner's mind.
When we begin a task we usually make an initial commitment to do the work. There are different types of commitments, those made between people, between companies and organizations, and those between national leaders and their citizens. Those who uphold their initial commitments and complete the work will become successful and principled people.
The initial commitment of our Order takes the form of our vow to believe in the teachings of the Founding Master Sotaesan, including the commitment to save all sentient beings. Both ordained and lay members have modeled themselves on this vow and wholeheartedly uphold it and put it into practice with sincerity and devotion. As we celebrate this milestone for Won-Buddhism, let each of us reflect upon our initial commitments as individuals, as members in a family, and as members of a spiritual community in society. If we fail to uphold our commitments, it is due to laziness, greed and weakness that prevent us from overcoming hardships. We should adopt the holy founding spirit of the Nine Disciples as our beginner's mind so we can become masters of our Order who are able to actualize our beginner's mind in daily life.
Let us celebrate our own life.
If I examine myself as "self," I may come to realize that my existence is eternal and unique, and that I am the creator of my life having the supreme ability to make both war and peace. A veil of ignorance and karma blinds ordinary humans and sentient beings to the awareness of the truth that our "selves" are holy. Instead, we despise our "selves" and dwell in darkness in the six destinies in accordance with our own intentions. This is such a great pity.
As spiritual disciples of the Founding Master Sotaesan, however, we should be very aware that our "selves" are precious and noble. We should see our "self" as the center of the world, with heaven and earth existing for our benefit. Dharmas and Buddahs exist for this "self." Let us celebrate this blessed self by believing in the teachings of the Founding Master Sotaesan and practicing the teachings in our daily life so that we can be reborn as buddhas.
Let us share grace with each another.
The karmic affinities we have formed over many past lives enable us to receive the teachings of the Founding Master Sotaesan in this lifetime. We have learned that we too can be buddhas by understanding the mind and the principle of cause and effect, and by accumulating merits through Buddha offerings. We now know that we live not a one-time life, but an eternal life, and we know the way to establish a paradise in this world. By following the teachings, we can enjoy the immense and holy grace of the Dharmakaya Buddha, the Fourfold Grace.
I would like to urge all ordained and lay members to enjoy this grace, not only for your own "self" but for all "selfs." Before us is the work of delivering sentient beings troubled in this world of suffering to the world of happiness.
Let us proclaim the teachings of the great Way of Il-Won in speech, in written word, and in all our actions. Let us make a great offering so that we can be the ones prepared to save families, societies, nations, and the whole world.
I offer words of comfort from the bottom of my heart to neighbors who have suffered from wars and terror that shatters peace. Let us remember that the punishment coming to those causing wars and terror is only a temporary means for ending conflict. It can never be an everlasting solution.
We should offer mercy and gather wisdom for the happiness of nations and neighbors under suppression and torment. We should fully understand that a one-sided victory cannot lead to eternal peace, and therefore together we should practice perseverance and continue our efforts to open the door to peace in mutual benefit and prosperity.
Won-Buddhism now stands at the door of its second century, full of hope and grateful for the first one hundred years of success. I sincerely pray that in the New Year we will not forget our initial commitment, will share the grace of one another as creators of this world, and will cultivate world peace as one family.
원불교신문
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