Great Construction

Preface (An Account of Myself)

     At present, more than half of the people of the world are believers in some religion. It is not necessary to state that the three great religions, Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism, occupy a majority of the number, and Christ, Mohammed, and Shakyamuni are well known as the founders of these respective religions. Their main method for propagating and expounding the fundamentals of their religion, for the most part, was through the written word and the mouth. They did not seem to have that many other avenues open to them.
     My case, however, differs completely. In my work, there are teachings, but they are only one part. My efforts include cultural aspects that are necessary for the continuation of human life. Particularly among these aspects are correcting the errors of existing culture and instructing through varied and numerous methods and realities how a true culture should be. The aspect to which I direct the most attention is eliminating disease, poverty, and conflict from this earth. As I am always explaining and propounding these aspects, I omit mention of them in detail here, but those who know of my accomplishments on behalf of the great task of world salvation would naturally want to know some how or another as much as possible about me. Furthermore, since the number of such people throughout the world will probably climb, I hereby set down to paper, as the one who created the foundation for a world of paradise on earth, a record for later generations to show as clearly as possible the kind of person I am.
     I always think that, even in the case of the three great holy men I mentioned previously, Christ, Mohammed, and Shakyamuni, the magnificent teachings they thoroughly and painstakingly expounded, even including Buddhist scriptures, the voluminous 84 million sutras, deserve deep respect, but intriguingly, none of these men spoke of themselves. Because it seems as if they are wearing a gorgeous robe but would dislike anyone to see their naked body, there is no way we can know their impressions or any disclosures. In other words, they did not reveal what was deep in their hearts. This point is exceedingly regretful.
     However I am completely different. For my part, I reveal every thing about myself and try to write exactly as I feel. There will most likely be parts that are incomprehensible, and since there will probably be what appears to be false as well as that which seems true, large and small, light and dark, finite and infinite, aspects of great interest, I believe it is no mistake to expect that all will appreciate these aspects of myself and thus acquire more knowledge and wisdom about life, and come to posses an unshakable soul.

An Account of Myself, unpublished, 1952
translated by cynndd

                *        *        *

“Jobun (Watakushi Monogatari)” is part of the unfinished manuscript for a volume that Meishu-sama was planning to publish to be titled Watakushi Monogatari (“My Tale”). Although never published while Meishu-sama was alive, the manuscripts that are thought to belong to what Meishu-sama envisioned are dated 1952. “Jobun” was read along with “Watakushi no Shinpi” at meetings with Meishu-sama on May 25, 26, and 27, 1952, but was never published in the periodicals as essays that were read at meetings often were. Other chapters were read at meetings in November 1952. One chapter that is purported to belong to Watakushi Monogatari was read at meetings on November 15, 16, and 17, 1953, and so, if this manuscript followed Meishu-sama’s known writing process, was probably written soon beforehand. If the chapter in question does indeed belong to An Account of Myself, it shows that Meishu-sama was still contemplating publishing the volume as late as November 1953. “Jobun (Watakushi Monogatari)” has appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“An Account of Myself, Preface,” Light from the East, Volume 2, 1986, page 250.