Great Construction

Fate Can Be Freely Made


     Since antiquity human beings, in regard to either favorable or unfavorable outcomes, have had the propensity to resignation, saying that what happens cannot be helped as it is fate. Fate is taken to be an irresistible force. I wish to teach people, however, that fate can be freely changed by anyone. This is because fate was essentially fashioned to be made by human beings, and when this aspect of truth is understood, the world, rather than seeming so pessimistic, can be seen in largely optimistic terms.
     Unless one suffers from a mental disease, an unfortunate fate is not desirable. Inevitable it is that all want to obtain good fortune. In spite of this common human desire, often at the expense of blood and the risk of life, how many individuals are actually able to obtain good fortune? It would be difficult to say that there is even one in a hundred persons who have done so. In which case, the question becomes how does one come to possess good fortune. It is truly a pathetic world that in the midst of confusion and bewilderment the only answer to this question is that one has to go to the other world to find good fortune. As Shakyamuni said, this is an existence where all is impermanent. Even so there are those individuals who actually do become fortunate, and because the number who do so is not more than one in ten thousand, when others see a fortunate person, they find they cannot resign themselves and continue following their dream. It is not as if there were no individuals who have attained the awareness of their place in the world. If there really were a way to obtain good fortune, nothing could be so wonderful. But because individuals do not understand this, they create the fate of misfortune. In other words, they make, enter, and suffer in their own prison. Indeed, this world is full of such absurd, pitiable persons.
     How to become fortunate is obvious, and that is to sow the seeds of goodness. The words of the ancient maxim, good begets good and evil begets evil, are apt, so the seed of evil is a self-centered attitude that makes others suffer, that harms others, and that is satisfied as long as the self has benefited. The seed of goodness is an attitude that brings happiness and provides benefit to others. Thus, it is a simple process to become a fortunate individual but to put into practice very difficult as human existence is so complex and troubling. What has to be done is to create and hold an attitude, even when one does not want to, that believes that good begets good, and practice this regimen. Faith, of course, is the only way to accomplish this goal, but it must be noted that there are various kinds of faith. Faith must be chosen with great care. Not to laud and extol myself, but as World Messianity is a faith that best fits these conditions, I do recommend that those unfortunate who are suffering join this faith as soon as possible.

Eikō, Issue 145, February 27, 1952
translated by cynndd


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“Unmei wa Jiyū ni Tsukureru,” which was originally published in Eikō, Issue 145, February 27, 1952, and, once more, while Meishu-sama still alive, reprinted in the teachings anthology for ministers Goshinsho: Shūkyō-hen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), March 25, 1954, page 17, has appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“Fate Can Be Changed at Will,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 284.

“Fate Can Be Changed at Will,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Four, 2007, page 39.

“Destiny Is What We Make Of It,” Meishu and His Teachings, no date, page 43.