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     To speak of topics such as the key to happiness or the secret of well-being, it might be thought that the use of some kind of special magic is involved, but this is not so. The explanation is quite obvious. The only problem is that most people in the world do not perceive the obvious.
     When all of contemporary society is observed, how many individuals are truly happy? Probably not even one. Indeed, it is truly a world of suffering. No matter who or what kind of individuals, the reality is that they are groaning and moaning in a jail fettered and shackled with failure, unemployment, poverty, discord, skepticism, and pessimism.
     First of all, when anybody thinks dispassionately about the situation, the following doubt probably arises. That is, if God, who is the Creator, fashioned human beings, why was it made so that human beings suffer so much? It cannot but be asked why this world was not created with less unhappiness and more happiness. No doubt something is incomprehensible here. Since everyone probably wants to know this incomprehensible point, I will explain here.
     From the primitive times when human beings originated until the present, existences that have consistently continued are probably good and evil. This is truth. And, it has been the nature of the opposition of good and evil that leads to continual friction and conflict for which even now, no victory has been attained. However, when the issue is pondered, it is also truth that through the friction between good and evil is seen the progress of culture that exists today. I am often questioned about this point. They say that they do not understand that if God is love and compassion, why did God let human beings perform evil and create sin only to be judged and punished at the last judgment? They continue, if God had not created evil persons, would there not be any need for punishment or the last judgment?
     The question goes right to the point, and to be honest, I agree. If I had created human beings, an explanation would be easy, but as I am also a living being created by God, there is no way I could explain this point thoroughly. If some sort of justification were to be made, to imagine that the situation today is the will of God is probably all that could be said. In which case, it is sufficient that we leave such investigations to people of leisure, make reality our primary focus, and try to become individuals who are happy while we still have life. Therefore, what is most important is to discover and put into effect the basis for becoming a happy individual. That method, as we always teach, is to seek to make others happy, only that. Still, there is an even better method of doing so. I have been practicing this method for many years now and have had wonderful results, and I write as I want to share and teach that method.
     To explain in simple terms the way to become happy, the method is to try to do as much good, as many good deeds, as possible. In my free moments, I continually have my mind set on what good thing I can do. For example, to please others, to give them delight. The wife tries to make it possible so that the husband can work pleasantly; the husband tries to be as kind as possible to and put the wife at ease. It is natural that parents love their children and that means using wisdom to think of their offspring’s future and not be feudalistic, while children pleasantly study and readily take care of their parents. In other areas, in daily life it means to try to give hope to those one encounters. Whether toward those in upper positions or toward subordinates, it means exerting love and kindness as much as possible based on sincerity. Politicians should show an example by putting their own interests aside and making the happiness of the people their first priority. Ordinary people as well of course will endeavor to use wisdom to do good. It is quite certain that the more such efforts have been made, the individual doing such deeds will become happy.
     When together all have striven to accomplish good things as described above, try to imagine what the nation and society will be like then. First of all, that nation will become the most ideal nation-state in all the world, respected by all. As a result, whatever else may be said, it cannot be denied that objectionable problems will disappear, and the world we expound, paradise on earth free of disease, poverty, conflict, will become a reality, the happiness of all immeasurable.
     What, however, is the reality of the present? That reality is probably exactly the opposite of what I have just described. The reality is that those who would earnestly do evil know no bounds, liars deceive others, and not one day goes by in which individuals try to do something that will benefit only themselves. It is no exaggeration to say that it is a society of those who would do evil. In such a situation, happiness seems to have gone a thousand miles away never able to return. Furthermore, the most troubling aspect is that all take this hellish world to be the natural state of society and do not even dream of reform. But, on top of this, there are even those who would try to interfere with our activities to change this hellish world into a paradise. It is these very individuals who become unhappy by choice and sink to the lowest levels of hell. When we observe such people, we think nothing of them other than that they are fools to be pitied, but at the same time we constantly pray to God that these very people be saved.
     My plea has become quite long, so I rest my pen here, but if my argument is absorbed, it will be comprehended that becoming a happy individual is not at all that difficult an accomplishment.

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“Kōfuku no Hiketsu,” originally published on the front page of Hikari, Issue 29, October 1, 1949, and while Meishu-sama still alive, reprinted in both the essays anthology for ministers Goshinsho: Shūkyō-hen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), page 19, March 25, 1954, and in the essays anthology for the general public Tengoku no Fukuinsho (Gospels of Heaven), page 69, August 25, 1954, has previously appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“The Secret of Happiness,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 277.

“The Secret of Happiness,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Four, 2007, page 31.

“Look Out for Others First,” Reaching for Faith, 2010, page 26.