Great Construction

Opening Remarks (Chijôtengoku 9)

     To explain the world of Maitreya that we advocate is extremely simple. It is a world in which that which is true will flourish, and that which is not true will perish. When we observe the world to date, however,  it appears to the eyes of the average person that evil runs amok and virtue is tyrannized. The saying often used, the more honest the person, the worse the luck, is another way of expressing this view. What these mean is that it takes time for evil affairs to be uncovered. If evil is not exposed for several decades, during that time, evil succeeds, spreads its influence, and obtains glory and prosperity, so those who observe this, believe that if they as well perform evil, they will become happy also, and as a result, persons who would do evil flourish, and the good, suffer. Thus comes about a world filled with suffering and pain.
     When the world of Miroku arrives, however, the exposure of evil will become extremely rapid. If evil is performed one day, it will become known the next. As a result, even those with a propensity for evil will find it nonsensical and ludicrous to commit evil acts. In contrast, if a good deed is performed one day, the next day will be born good results, and there will come about competition to do good. In this situation the world will become completely good. Pain and suffering will disappear. Misfortune will probably pass into topics for stories of the past. Such a world may be thought to be a dream, but not so at all. This world will be realized while we are still alive. Is this not pleasing? Which is to say, such is the talk of good persons, and those prone to evil may think it dull and insipid, but that is only because those bent toward evil are in this world now, but the situation will completely change when it becomes a world of good.
     Such is the actual reality of the world of Miroku. It may be impossible to believe this now, but there is a way it can be believed absolutely. That is, needless to say, to join the Japan Kannon Church, and when you advance your faith to a certain level, you will be able to believe that it is not at all a falsehood.

 Chijôtengoku, Issue 9, page 3, October 25, 1949
translated by cynndd