Gazing at the Moon With Awe

The Harvest Moon, said to be the most beautiful of the year, fell on Sept. 20, less than two days before the autumn equinox.

At this time of year, the moon for several evenings rises soon after sunset, and this celestial event is celebrated the world over with moon viewings, family feasts, gift giving and other cultural traditions.

In an essay, Ikeda Sensei suggests that, when we have a worry of some kind, we can gaze at the sun, moon and stars watching over us, stretch our arms high above our heads and let our minds and bodies relax.

“When we turn our gaze to the heavens,” Sensei explains, “our hearts become as vast as the universe. Like viewing our lives from the sky, our problems and worries come to seem small and insignificant. Our spirits brighten. The sun rises and the moon shines in our hearts” (May 21, 2021, World Tribune, p. 3).

When we chant Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, we can shine as brightly as the full moon. Considering our vast, inner potential, let us rejoice at the chance to make a fresh determination toward our goals and dreams, a brilliant new start.