Great Construction

One World

     Men, henceforth, must all be internationalists. There is an interesting story in this regards. Just after World War II, a person who had been in the Japanese army visited me and told me resentfully that it was very regrettable that Japan had surrendered to the Allied Nations. As I did not show the reaction which he expected, he asked me in dismay as to whether I was a Japanese or not. I answered immediately, “No.” He was so astonished at my answer that he trembled with emotion and asked me to what country I belonged. So I replied, “I am an internationalist.” He was quite surprised at my answer and asked me to explain what I meant in words that he would understand. The following is written on the basis of my answer to him.
     It is very wrong to discriminate between races. The Japanese before the war were much conceited and thought their own country was especially favoured by God, as Japan had shown supremacy in the war with China and Russia. This conceit indirectly led to World War II. Therefore, the Japanese despised the people of other countries, so much so, that they invaded other countries and killed others without any self reproach. Such barbaric deeds led Japan to defeat in World War II. This kind of selfishness in which people only think of their own country without any sympathy for others will prevent the world from enjoying eternal peace.
     For example, suppose each prefecture in Japan struggled against each other, it would quickly be settled, as such disagreement would be similar to a family quarrel. The same can be applied to the world. The Emperor Meiji composed a waka poem to the effect that strife can not occur, should all the people on earth think of each other with brotherly love. World peace could be realized tomorrow should all peoples adopt this way of thinking. War simply could not happen should all people become so broadminded as expressed in Emperor Meiji’s poem. Self conceit, such as forming of groups based on certain isms and ideas, and deeming others to be enemies or to uphold national policies, national spirit, nationalism or ideas of country’s divinity, are sure to lead to destruction or hinder the realization of world peace. Therefore, at least all Japanese must be internationally minded, now that peace has been made with the Allied Nations, abandoning their narrow way of thinking and broadening their minds. This way of thinking is the most progressive in this modern and desirable people from the viewpoint of world culture are those with such a way of thinking. The same can be applied to religion, it is quite anachronistic to form sects. As for our religion, we do not advise our followers not to make contact with other religions. On the contrary, we rather recommend them to do so. The tenet of our religion is pacifism through which to harmonize all the peoples in the world and make the world one family. In this sense, we are willing to accept other religions and work hand in hand with them.

The Glory, Number 008, page 2, August 15, 1955