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     All individuals must constantly aim to improve themselves, particularly so those of faith. Whenever religion or faith is mentioned among the general public, however, the topics are thought to be stale and treated as old-fashioned. Indeed, it cannot be denied that these tendencies can be seen in the adherents of religions to date. For followers of World Messianity the case is exactly the opposite. Nay, rather followers of World Messianity must strive that their faith be exactly the opposite.
     Why should this be? First of all, observe nature. All in Nature without a moment’s rest constantly renews itself, continually progresses and improves. Look! Each year the number of human beings increases. Lands on the face of the planet are developed every year. Whether transportation networks, buildings and construction, or machinery, there is nothing that goes backwards. The grasses and trees spread out and grow toward the heavens. Not one tree faces downwards. When we see the situation of how all in creation constantly progresses and improves, it is truth that human beings as well should learn from the example of nature.
     In this respect, I never slacken my efforts to progress and improve from month to month and year to year. Having said that, if I were merely speaking of progress on the material level such as improving the position of an enterprise or profession, that would be bottom-less, drifting. Grass without roots. What I refer to is progress and improvement of the soul. Improving character. Furthermore, progress and improvement cannot be rushed or hurried. Slight but continual improvement is sufficient. With the passage of time, a fine human being will most certainly come to be. Nay, even in this condition, with the attitude to practice so, a fine human being has already been formed. When improvement occurs, it is guaranteed that the trust of the public can be obtained, all affairs and matters will go smoothly, and happiness, secured.
     When expressed in this manner, young people today may find these instructions to be trite and moralistic, to think them behind the times and stale, but actually they are not stale at all. Rather, those who can put these directions into practice are real new persons. When I take this point as a standard and look at people in general, it cannot be helped that they seem old-fashioned to me. They show no progress, they have the same old way of thinking, the same old topics of conversation, and no change or growth can be discerned at all. When I meet such people, nothing of interest about them catches my attention. If I try to engage them in discussion, all they can manage is small talk and chit-chat. They have not the slightest scent of that such as religion, of philosophy, or the arts. The greater part of society is composed of these kinds of people, but even so I cannot find it to blame them. At least those in World Messianity would not be interested in such people, and it does seem there are few such people in World Messianity. As all know, during this period of global transition World Messianity is trying to save humanity by awakening it to erroneous culture and building an ideal new world. We must persistently aim to be new persons. That is what I mean when I say that we must become cultured people of the twenty-first century.

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“Shinjin Tare,” published originally on the front page of Eikō, Issue 73, October 11, 1950, and later, while Meishu-sama still alive, reprinted in the essays anthology for ministers Goshinsho: Shūkyō-hen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), March 25, 1954, page 106, has appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“Renew and Improve Yourself,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Two, 1968, page 93.

“Be a New Age Person,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 387.

“The Importance of Self-improvement,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Two, 1986/2004, page 64.

“Striving for Character,” Reaching for Faith, 2010, page 85.

“Be a Man of New Ideas,” Meishu and His Teachings, no date, page 83.

“New Men,” A Hundred Teachings of Meishusama, no date, page 192.