Great Construction

The Birthplace of Corruption

     Well-known to all, the recent spate of corruption scandals involving government officials and businessmen that have continued to pop up one after another like sweet potato vines probably disgusts everyone. I do think there is most likely no precedent for such an amount of corruption scandals at one time. Of course, the strict judgment of the judicial authorities will decide the right and wrong of each of the situations. But that matters will not end here shows the gravity of this problem. That is to say, putting aside the present cases, since olden days, scandals like these are like annual events that crop up and then are judged, but as long as the fundamentals of these scandals are not resolved, they will not be thoroughly eradicated. They are like the conditions where maggots breed in refuse. The refuse pile itself must be cleaned, and not only is there no other complete way to resolve the issue, it is for certain that the Japanese people are demanding nothing less. The troubling problem is that that the vital point of the cause of scandals is not understood.
     The vital point of this issue is that which the members of the intellectual classes hate the most, thought that includes theism. Indeed, even in cases of corruption, the place scandals are generated from is the opposite of theistic thought, from non-theistic thought, so scandals are difficult to handle. Needless to say, non-theistic thought outrageously holds that anything dishonest can be done as long as the crime is not detected. Furthermore, as human knowledge progresses, the more skillful the methods have become to carry out this way of thinking, and at present it has gotten to the point that non-theistic thought has become the primary condition for making a success in the world. When we apply this thinking to the reality of the world, it is intriguing that matters do not go as desired. Matters do not go as expected because sooner or later the culprits are unmasked and their true faces exposed, as can be clearly seen in the present incident. Still, even those involved in this incident probably understand this concept to a certain extent, but as long as their fundamental way of thinking is that there is no God in this world, since they do not believe in God from the bottom of their hearts, even given the way their machinations have turned out this time, there are most likely very few offenders who would truly repent. It is very doubtful, and most of them probably believe that the way their schemes turned out this time was because they made mistakes, that they were not smart enough, and that the next time they plan such capers, they will be more skillful and not get caught. Most likely this is the natural way atheists, those who truly do not believe in God, think. Therefore, the only way to thoroughly straighten out this kind of disposition is to cultivate the theistic concept through religion. There is absolutely no other effective method.
     As long as the members of the tribe of those who do not believe in God are in charge, are the elites involved in running government and business, they are the same as the putrid water and rubbish in an old pond, and an intolerable smell of methane gas will foam and bubble to the surface wherever a pole may be stuck in and swirled about. The scandals this time follow the same course. Just what we know about these cases at present is probably only the tip of the iceberg, but the damage to the nation-state and the nuisance and bother put upon the Japanese population is most likely not very small. The problem does not end with the nuisance and bother. Nor can be taken lightly the impact this scandal has had on national thought. Needless to say, if the elites in the lap of luxury can do bad things in the shadows and political parties along with politicians can throw around everywhere the money produced from the blood and sweat of the people, members of the general public will probably come to dislike working. Therefore, no matter how much the big shots may spout off magnificent homilies, the general population will feel that they could not stand to be deceived again, their hitherto respect will change to scorn, the attitude toward the nation-state will weaken, and since the social fabric would shrink, the negative impact on national destiny could not be predicted.
     From what I have described above, it can be seen, as I wrote in the beginning, that since the basis of these problems is due to non-theistic thought, the key to resolving them is its eradication. To eradicate non-theistic thought, human beings must be shown to recognize the reality of God through the activities and conduct of people involved in religion. That is, the planting of the firm conviction that even though the eyes of others may be deceived, God’s eyes cannot. Hence, corruption scandals and such would not occur. Another point to consider, the prime movers of the present scandal are all who have received the benefits of secondary education, and with all due respect to position, reputation, and intelligence, there still remains the doubt why they committed such acts. They committed such acts because of the influence of non-theistic thought, and we can understand that education, learning, and a sense of morality sense are of no use at this level. Since these people of such high status worked so skillfully to commit these particular acts, we may not know why, but as a small leak will sink a great ship, this small crack will gradually widen and become a great problem, so it can only be understood as a part of God’s judgment.
     Another aspect of the corruption issue is that Japan prides itself on being a constitutional state, but given careful consideration, such pride is a preposterous error. If affairs are carried out only on the basis of the application of law, one can succeed in an illegal enterprise as long as one skillfully hides the crime, so those who would commit evil deeds do benefit. Because human beings are confined to the cage called “law” in such a way, they are treated as beasts, truly a pathetic and spoiled state for the lord of all creation. In a cultured nation-state, “culture” cries out. I always say that our contemporary world is a half-civilized, half-barbaric age, and there is most likely no one who will deny that assertion. To give another illustration, let us say that individuals find a wallet on the ground. If no one is around to see them, they will probably keep it. The individual who would absolutely not keep it is the person who believes in the reality of God. That which should be the role of creating such an individual is religion, but in response to this assertion, the authorities and journalists are indifferent and treat religion as a useless artifact. Indeed inexplicable it is that religion should be treated with an attitude that it is a fraud and superstition from which the general public should stay away. Thus, non-theistic thought becomes an ally with and probably even a powerful cause of corruption scandals.
     It is with the significance outlined above that government officials are asked to become insightful and deal appropriately with these scandals. Unless they do so, this disgusting problem will not be eradicated, and it should be needless to state that the progress of the nation-state will be harmed. If this essay is read with the usual indifference, there will come the time when it may be said that there will be bitter repentance. Nowadays, the nation-state is making efforts to improve institutions such as education and so forth, to develop knowledge and to heighten human sentiments, but as long as the critical aspect of non-theistic thought is not totally eradicated, it is only natural that, as water in a sieve, the knowledge and wisdom so appropriately gained will be used more for evil than good, so the stupidity cannot be equaled. The fact that as culture progresses, intellectual crime increases illustrates well this tendency. Thus, I warn well-informed persons and the intellectuals of the world.

Eikō, Issue 250, March 3, 1954 
translated by cynndd

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“Oshoku no Botai” was carried originally in Eikō, Issue 250, March 3, 1954, and has previously appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference. “Oshoku no Botai” was included in the essays anthology for ministers, Sekai Meshiya Kyō Seiten, Geijutsu-hen, Shakai-hen (Sacred Writings of the Church of World Messianity, Volume on Art and Society), page 282, which was published on September 1, 1955, almost immediately after Meishu-sama died.

“The Origin of the Corruption of Officials,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 186.