Great Construction

Avoid Ill Will


     Previously I have written on the importance of not harboring ill will towards others, but equally, becoming the object of ill will by others is also to be avoided. Avoiding the ill will of others is important because evil feelings such as envy, jealousy, and revenge will reach the object of those feelings through the spiritual cord. Individuals who are the objects of evil feelings find that their paths are always hindered and that they are constantly surrounded by an atmosphere of unpleasantness in which matters and affairs are gloomy, thus daily life in addition to work does not go well. In such cases, good fortune never seems to be within reach, so great caution is called for.
     In the world at large, however, there are many individuals who appear not to care at all if they bring suffering and humiliation upon others, and cause unhappiness. Even so, these people are apparently successful. Those around who observe their actions see only the short-term success and do not perceive how hurtful actions will cause jealousy and resentment. Such negative actions are thought to lead to success and their imitation is sought by some. As the number of those who act such as these uncaring individuals increase, society as a whole does not improve, but, when these hurtful actions are observed, evil actions lead to evil results, and the ruin of these evil people, without even one exception, comes.
     Such being the case, those who give joy to the people around them, who try to get others to be happy, will find that they themselves are always able to work pleasantly, deal with matters expeditiously, and that misfortune, if it does come, will not cause the disastrous effect that it could have, quite the opposite from the hurtful people described above. The individual who can put into practice behavior that considers others should to be regarded as the truly enlightened human being. Indeed, imparting this principle to the world is after all another fundamental of religion.
     To conclude, that which I always tell others, “foolish ones, your name is ‘Evil,’” expresses an eternal and immutable truth.

Eikô, Issue 113, July 18, 1951
translated by cynndd


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“Nikumareru Nakare,” which  originally appeared in Eikô, Issue 113, July 18, 1951, and later while Meishu-sama still living, was reprinted in the teachings anthology Goshinsho: Shûkyôhen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), page 54, has previously appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“Resentment,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Two, 1968, page 45.

“Do Not Incur Resentment,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 350.

“Resentment,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Two, 1968/2004, page 25.

“Do Not Be the Victim of Hatred,” Meishu and His Teachings, no date, page 78.