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     Whoever sees this title will probably be astonished. People do not even imagine that sin and medicines can be connected. But, as there is a close connection, it could be called intriguing, even bizarre. I will now write about that connection. As I constantly teach, medicines are poisons, and when medicines are introduced into the body, the blood becomes turbid. As the blood grows turbid, the spirit clouds, and when the spirit clouds, the human being experiences discomfort, even feelings of unhappiness. It is this very discomfort which is the villain that leads to annoyance, irritation, and a tendency toward anger that is ultimately source of conflict. This can be seen in the phenomenon that when human beings feel good, they laugh off irritating remarks, but when they experience discomfort, the slightest circumstance will set them off. So, depending on their disposition, human beings can become bright, cheerful, or dark, gloomy. Because there is a close connection between this disposition and fortune or misfortune, the relationship cannot be taken lightly. There is nothing as important in human life as the emotions. For example, separation of husband and wife, conflict between siblings, or difficulties among friends can all, when they become terrible, result even in the loss of employment.
     Needless to say, all know that for government officials or company employees being treasured by superiors, climbing the organization ladder, support of colleagues and businessmen by clients, the achievements of artists, and the studies of students all are greatly influenced by emotions. The relationships and efforts and the emotions behind them are all plainly visible, but when they become unmanageable, the situation can become grave.
     Unless individuals have been trained or cultivated themselves considerably, most ordinary people seek some sort of stimulus as a way to lessen the discomfort and unhappiness. On these occasions, a very common form of stimulus is most likely alcohol followed by gambling. The recent popularity of horse racing and pachinko also belong in this category. And, if the financial situation permits, individuals may turn to such things as extravagant living and playing around with women. Because such pastimes require money, illicit means are resorted to for obtaining money. Embezzling, cheating, corruption, and so forth are all for such reasons, but the most frightening is that recently we often see occasions where someone is killed for just a bit of money. In these situations, it is often said that there is a woman in the shadows of every crime, but what I want to say is that even behind the crime and a woman there is medicine. Recently, because people try to dissipate the unhappiness and discomfort of the heart, even stronger stimulants are sought, so institutions for malignant pleasures increase, and unlike olden times, transportation has also developed, and being able to indulge in illicit pastimes has become exceedingly easy. Also, we have seen the dissolution of the class system, and in the current situation in which we are living today, an honest life becomes ludicrous.
     Above I have only described the apparent aspects of the issue, but to touch upon the underlying side, this is tremendous. The causes of most sickness and disease of course thus result from the underlying side, and since contemporary people blindly ingest medicines and receive vaccinations, diseases gradually increase, and the number of people who feel unpleasantness and discomfort increase. Due to this increase, medical expenses are incurred and because individuals have to be absent from work, income decreases, and because money becomes scarce, loans are sought. Because others are inconvenienced, the world becomes dreary, and although medical treatment may temporarily improve the condition, healing has fundamentally not occurred, suffering from the condition is protracted, one does not know which way to turn, individuals turn to such things as theft, and weak individuals may attempt suicide or family murder-suicide. Such tragedies fill the daily newspapers, but particularly common are the tragedies stemming from tuberculosis. Seen in this way, the cause of crime is the unpleasantness and discomfort of human beings, and the cause of that unpleasantness and discomfort is medicine, so the title of the essay should be clear.

“Tsumi no Moto wa Kusuri,” originally published on the front page of Eikō, Issue 142, February 6, 1952, was reprinted while Meishu-sama still alive in the essays anthology for ministers Goshinsho: Shūkyōhen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), page 76, March 25, 1954. “Tsumi no In wa Kusuri” was reprinted in the anthology Igaku Kankei Goronbun Shū (Collected Essays on Medical Science) that did enjoy a limited circulation. Igaku Kankei Goronbun Shū contains no publication data, but internal evidence suggests that its editing stopped several months preceding Meishu-sama’s death. Furthermore, since the book lacks publication data, whether the volume had Meishu-sama’s imprimatur or not is unknown, so details concerning this volume are probably impossible to research. “Tsumi no In wa Kusuri” has appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.