Great Construction

Faith Equals Justice

     In addressing the question of what religion is, to describe religion not as the explication of difficult religious theories or as religious philosophy should not be necessary. Ultimately, religion is the formation of the true human being. There is nothing else to religion than this one fact. However, saying so is exceedingly easy, but in practical terms, what sounds so easy is indeed exceedingly difficult. In the Analects of Confucius are the words, “Saying is easy; doing, difficult,” and this assertion is apropos. I write about why the practice of becoming a true human being is so difficult.
     In the case of any human being, being good is not enough to satisfy aspirations to become great, to make a lot of money, or to get ahead in the world. The actual circumstances are that people think that it is only inevitable that to a certain extent they have to associate with evil. Furthermore, it is a given that whether in pastimes or relaxing, that which is bad is more interesting than the good. This way of thinking has continued for hundreds and thousands of years, so giving into evil has even become the common sense for attaining success in the world. Since antiquity, strenuous efforts have been made in fields such as the law and moral education, but results have been conspicuously meager. At which point, it should now be obvious that there is no other recourse but through religion. But even so, whether evil is conquered, or not, or to what extent depends greatly upon the differences in strength among religions. Religions that lack power will inevitably be defeated by evil. That is why even the followers of some religions are not able to prevail over wrongdoing. In whatever religion, the fact is that there are few followers who can truly overcome evil.
     When we think about this situation, the conclusion is that there must appear a religion with the power, the strength to stand up to evil. That is the only way that there can be born a society of good, a fortunate, peaceful world. That is what we mean when we declare that faith equals justice.

Kyūsei, Issue 65, page 1, June 3, 1950
translated by cynndd

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“Shinkō Soku Seigi” was originally published on the front page of what would become the last issue of the newspaper under the name Kyūsei on June 3, 1950. Later, while Meishu-sama was still alive, “Shinkō Soku Seigi” was included in the essays anthology for ministers Goshinsho: Shūkyōhen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), page 12, March 25, 1954. “Shinkō Soku Seigi” has appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“Faith Means Justice,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 288.

“Religion and Righteousness,” Meishu and His Teachings, no date, page 27.