It comes naturally to express gratitude by saying “thanks to you” or “because of all the people who help me,” but I think that we are happiest when we say it from the bottom of our hearts.
We are not living under our own power alone, but rather through the grace of—thanks to—many things. We are being caused to live; Shakyamuni explained it as the law of dependent origination. A Buddhist scripture, the Saṅyutta Nikāya (Kindred Sayings), says,
Two bundles of reeds can support each other and stand. In the same way, because this exists, that exists, and because that exists, this exists. If one of the bundles is taken away, the other bundle will fall over. (II, XII, 7, 67: “The Sheaf of Reeds”)
The truth is that not a single thing can exist on its own in this world; each thing comes into being through its connection with everything else (conditions).
As you digest the law of dependent origination and learn to value each connection you come in contact with, you will be able to pass the time joyfully and be enriched every day. When you learn to know the many blessings and benevolent ties that support and sustain us, a feeling of gratitude will naturally flow within you. And if you can react with gratitude to chance connections, you are awakened to the truth.
The Zen Master Ikkyū (1394–1481) wrote, “Something may seem bad, but do not reject it. The bitter persimmon becomes sweet when dried” (Ikkyū Ninagawa zokuhen kyōka mondō [Exchange of comic tanka between Ikkyū and Ninagawa Chikamasa, Continued], Edo Shorin, 1823).
When I was a boy I once inadvertently bit into a bitter persimmon and immediately threw it away. Ikkyū’s poem illustrates how an unacceptable or difficult encounter can become a good one depending on how we react. The poem teaches us how to react to the many events that will create and change our lives in countless ways. There is no such thing as an unnecessary encounter; if we think deeply about it, we will find that all encounters are spiritually nourishing. It is only when we first experience suffering that we earnestly seek the path away from suffering. Suffering is thus a “good encounter” that guides us to the right path.
It is important for human beings always to experience these precious encounters. Buddhists are the happy ones, thankful that we have come across the Buddha’s teachings and are savoring the joy of living in the Dharma. In that same sense, you must value your encounters at home, and must reach out to those who are distressed or lonely, so that you can be a “good encounter” for them. That is an important practice.
Kokorono manako o hiraku [Opening the Mind’s Eye] (Kosei Publishing, 2013), pp. 56–58
Nichiko Niwano is president of Rissho Kosei-kai and an honorary president of Religions for Peace. He also serves as an advisor to Shinshuren (Federation of New Religious Organizations of Japan).
