382 The Great Tree of Goodness

“The Great Tree of Goodness”

Thoughts create character,
Thoughts determine destiny.
So have good thoughts.
Good thoughts lead to a good life.

There are countless good thoughts.
There is the smaller good and greater good.
People often focus on the smaller good,
Which just brings small happiness.
But the greater good brings great happiness.

The greater good is a big idea,
Creating happiness for the community and society.
The greater good enriches the nation,
Brings happiness to the world.

This world is a world for cultivating our soul.
The ideal world is one that is best suited for building our soul.
This requires free and democratic debate,
And a society where faith is respected.

In countries where these conditions are not met,
Where free speech is forbidden,
Where human rights are denied and human life is not respected,
The soul is put through a living hell.

Great trees have grown in postwar Japan.
These great trees of goodness are great businessmen.
Business leaders, such as Konosuke Matsushita,
Soichiro Honda, Akio Morita, and others,
Became the source of postwar Japan’s affluence.
They created wealth not only for Japan but for the whole world as well.

We must nurture the great tree of goodness.
Let’s build a society where all people can huddle together,
Live happily in peace,
And create an ideal world for soul cultivation.