Weaving the Fabric of Peace

That human beings possess philosophy and ideals distinguishes us from other animals. All people ask, at least once in their lives, why they were born in this world. But animals don’t ask themselves that question. 

Another of our distinguishing features is our human yearning for principles that allow us to live honorably, peacefully, happily. It’s also human nature that when we see a starving child on television, we want to do something to help. That is a natural instinct. 

We cannot live alone, isolated from others. In Japanese, “human being” (Jpn ningen) is written with two Chinese characters that, when combined, mean “between people.” It is through our interactions with others that we polish our lives and grow. 

Therefore, it’s only natural that, with as many people as possible, we share and promote understanding of the philosophy, the ideal, that we believe is most correct and valid. It is our right and our duty. 

It’s the nature of animals to gather food just for themselves. If we were to keep the means we have found for attaining happiness to ourselves, not sharing it with others, we would have succumbed to the states of animality and hunger. The wish to share the truth with others, to share the means for achieving happiness, is the hallmark of philosophy, of education, of culture and of Buddhism. …