41. “It Is Against the Reason of Heaven to Use Things Carelessly”

No matter how minor it may have seemed, the Honseki warned against using things carelessly. He often said to those around him:

“As human beings are allowed by God the Parent to live in this world, it is important to accumulate merit behind the scenes (intoku) in all matters. Acts of unseen merit are small things. It is about thinking about the future and thinking of others. God will be pleased when you do such little things here and there accumulating unseen merit. It is not unseen merit when you do something after someone tells you to. It is of utmost importance to have a mind that does not allow things to go to waste or to spoil. It is against the Reason of Heaven (Ten no ri) to use things carelessly.”

(From Ten no jogi pp. 144–145)

• Next installment in this series: 42. “Take the Time to Show Them the Way”

*Note: This post has been revised since its original publication.