Seasonal Letter, May: “Whack-a-Mole with an Unruly Heart”
Jigenji Temple – Seasonal Letters “Whack-a-Mole with an Unruly Heart”
Among the seasonal words for early summer is “musubiba,” joined leaves. In the season when trees grow thick and lush, young leaves overlap one another as if holding hands — a sight people long ago described as “joined leaves.”
Let us look up at the sky. Shining in the sunlight, the leaves hold hands like good friends, growing until they nearly cover the sky, shielding us from the summer heat.
Those of you staying in Akiu may gaze at Ōtaki Falls in the fresh green of early summer and soak in the hot springs, soothed by the new leaves. The green of this season of fragrant breezes seems to hold a pure power that clears away the clouds in our hearts all at once.
The Dai-Ajari has written a book, “Jinsei no Arukikata” (How to Walk Through Life). In it are 27 hints for living each day as if under a clear sky — and the unshakable heart he gained by simply walking a 48-kilometer mountain trail every single day. Here are some of his words from that book.
— This Month’s Words from Dai-Ajari Ryojun Shionuma —
At every moment, people wish for their hearts to be pure. Nothing surpasses a pure heart. Yet there are people whose hearts are pure and people who are not in that state, people who live with restraint and people who do not. Even so, the gods and Buddhas always smile kindly upon every person.
For us, the lifelong practice is how to manage the joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure — all the many emotions — that arise from the circumstances we are given.
To discipline our unruly hearts at all times and to live with humility and restraint is the practice of life. I believe we must keep playing this “whack-a-mole” with our unruly hearts for our whole lives.
From “Jinsei no Arukikata” (How to Walk Through Life) by Ryojun Shionuma
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