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     Some time before I had the experience of seeing and admiring a calligraphy written by Master Tesshu Yamaoka. The calligraphy was composed of a large ideogram for the word “moderation.” Next to that one big ideogram was written in very small ideograms and letters, “All in human affairs is constituted in this one word.” This calligraphy became so ingrained in me that to this day it remains unforgettable. In the some ten-odd years since, this idea has served me very well on many occasions.
     Since antiquity there have been many good aphorisms and sayings that extol moderation, but there is nothing that can be said to have impressed and moved me as much as this calligraphy. It is composed chiefly of one ideogram, but I think it possesses wonderful power. Thus, when the word moderation is used as a yardstick to observe various aspects of the world in general, it is indeed applicable to everything. There is a tendency for one-sidedness, as can be seen in expressions like “that’s not been worked enough,” or “there’s too much work done on that,” and in phenomenon such as the social thought which leans to the right or to the left and the puffing up when one has money or the shrinking when there is not enough. In many cases, these would seem to be the causes of failure. The admonition in the Analects of Confucius to strive for the golden mean refers to moderation as well. Expressions used since olden times such as “do it moderately,” “moderate is good,” and “observe moderation” refer to this which is also the meaning of the phrases “living within one’s means” and “acting in accord with one’s station.”
     To interpret moderation in terms of faith, World Messianity is, as I always say, the activity of Izunome, the very middle that connects the vertical and horizontal, shojo and daijo. Ultimately, this is the meaning of the word moderation. Above all, individuals should observe moderation. If individuals can just observe moderation, all is bound to go smoothly. Oh, moderation it is! Oh, moderation it is!

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“Hodo to wa,” published originally on the front page of Eikō, Issue 116, August 8, 1951, and reprinted while Meishu-sama still alive in the essays anthology for ministers Goshinsho: Shūkyōhen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), page 59, March 25, 1954, has appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“Moderation,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 368.

“A Way to Live” / “Moderation,” Daily Inspirations, 2002, page 53 (slightly abridged).

“Moderation,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Three, 2005, page 56.

“Keep Within Your Bounds,” Reaching for Faith, 2010, page 39.

“What Is Limit,” Meishu and His Teachings, no date, page 75.