余徳
「Virtue, be mindful about the smallest things」
The lower calligraphy was written by Roshi Matsuyama Manmitsu, in Tokugen Zendojo in Nagoya.
At that time, I served the role of Inji, who took care of the surroundings of the old master. When I was preparing lunch in the kitchen, it was cloudy and dim that day, so I turned on the lights.
Then the old master came over and said
“Bun-san (named during the monastery era), if you turn on the light from daytime, you will reduce your virtue,” he gently warned.
Later, when I asked, “I can not understand what virtue means clearly. please tell me,” he told me as follows.
“Virtue is to cherish the life of things so as not to waste a drop of water, and to be kind to people. Buddhism is preaching selflessness. you should not be attached to everything, like seats, positions, honors, things, and try to give it to others. Then, the virtue will be cultivated in the depths of your invisible heart, and eventually, it will overflow, not only you but also to your children, grandchildren, and others. That is called virtues. “
Forty years since then, when I asked myself if I have been practicing the virtue in my daily life, I couldn’t do it very much.
Roshi worked as a Buddhist chant in the morning without taking a day off and practiced with Unsui every day, but he was always cheerful and light. I now remember that his brightness was coming from his virtue.
SNS