Great Construction

Regarding the Poetry Volume Landscapes

     The object of faith is to polish the soul and purify the heart, guidance I give constantly. There are three ways this guidance can be put into practice. One is through the suffering that accompanies ascetic practices and spiritual training or that which comes with misfortune. The second is the accumulation of virtue, and the third is the improvement of the soul through coming into contact with art objects of high quality. Of these three methods, the easiest and shortest way for polishing and purification is the influence from art. Furthermore, the soul is polished unconsciously while enjoying the individual art pieces. There is probably no more satisfactory method.
     It is in this sense that I recommend reading the poetry volume Landscapes during moments of leisure. Improvement occurs without effort. As the soul improves, levels of wisdom and awareness are also polished, so thinking becomes clearer. Faith is strengthened easily. That is because the waka poems of Landscapes are replete with truth, virtue, and beauty.
     As the preceding shows, my goal is the advancement of faith through the spirit of speech as well.

Kyūsei, Issue 61, page 1, May 6, 1950
translated by cynndd

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“Kashū Yama to Mizu ni Tsuite,” originally published on the front page of Kyūsei, Issue 61, May 6, 1950, and reprinted in the essays anthology for ministers that was published soon after Meishu-sama’s Ascension, Sekai Meshiya Kyō Seiten (Sacred Texts of Sekai Meshiya Kyō: Volume on Art, Volume on Society), page 91, September 1, 1955, has appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“Methods of Purification,” The Glory, Number 059, no date (1966?).

“Methods of Purification,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Two, 1968, page 49.

“Three Ways to Be Spiritually Purified,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 275.

“Of Poems—‘Yama to Mizu’,” Meishu and His Teachings, no date (1965?), page 32.

“Methods of Purification,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Two, 1968/2004, page 29.