What is the biggest change we undergo once we have a connection with the Buddha’s teachings? I think it would be the change from not being particularly thankful for anything and not being able to bow our heads in humility, to being thankful and humble. Whether or not a person can naturally bow his or her head may very well reveal the extent of that person’s virtuous qualities.
Although it may seem normal for each of us to value our own individual intelligence, abilities, and physical appearance, we tend to overlook that we may have been shaped from the outside. Not only are we indebted to our parents, our teachers, and our friends, but we have also been given life and are living now because we are sustained by everything in nature. The Buddha teaches us that we are not living; we are being allowed to live. If you can accept and understand this teaching from the bottom of your heart, your head will bow naturally.
Becoming humble is the first step of the Buddha Way; it is also the goal.
Kokorono manako o hiraku [Opening the Mind’s Eye] (Kosei Publishing, 2013), pp. 49–50
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).
