Vivinavi

February Limited: The Holy Word of God

This month's Sacred Words

A passage from "Shijo Kingo-dono Gosho"

"In general, the hungry ghosts are （ divided into thirty-six different kinds of people.

＝ Almsgiving ＝
I was told about a delicious cake shop. Moist sponge, mild cream and sweet strawberries ….
I felt grateful to him for telling me about such a delicious store, and I felt that I should keep this store to myself and not tell anyone about it.
The feeling of "I don't want to tell anyone" is the feeling of "sparing things" that only I want to feel good about.
This is the "hungry" mind. It is said that there are as many as 36 kinds of hungry ghosts in the human mind. If you try to stir up the hot water in the bath only for yourself, the hot water will escape, but if you push it over there, it will rebound and come back toward you.
If you think of happiness only for yourself, it will escape in the opposite direction. Just as my friend told me about a delicious cake shop, let us share the small joys of daily life with those around us.

◎Nichiren Shonin's Letter "Shijo Kingo-dono Gosho"
This letter is addressed to Shijo Kingo, a believer who respects the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and supports Nichiren Shonin. It explains how having the feeling of giving to others enriches one's life.
8th year of Bun'ei （ 1271 ） Age 50

（ Excerpt from Nichiren Shoshu portal site ）