Do You Have a Guilty Conscience?

In Japan, during the holiday season surrounding the end of the old year and the start of the new year, many of us have frequent opportunities to gather with other people. At such times, we usually share some snacks. When sweets are served, they seem to be everyone’s favorite, but they come in many shapes and sizes. Which one do you reach for, a large one or a small one? 

You might suppose that the bigger the sweet, the better, but I think that most people tend to reach for one that is comparatively small, because we feel ashamed to behave in an openly greedy way.

　 Although this is an extremely simple example, we Japanese people, from long ago, have developed the mental attitude of avoiding doing anything one would feel ashamed of or feel guilty about, expressing it with the phrase “have a sense of shame.” At a school that I know, “Have a sense of shame” is a motto for student discipline. In other words, the foundation of human education is to learn a way of life that brings no shame upon one’s conscience.

Even so, we are sometimes defeated by the temptations of greed and do things for which we, as human beings, should feel ashamed. Of course, among us, there are some people who feel no shame at all about telling lies or engaging in wrongdoing.

However, just as Buddhism teaches the theory of the Mutual Includion of the Ten Realms, everyone has, within his or her heart, an “I” with selfish desires as well as an “I” with honesty and integrity. We human beings simultaneously can have the self-centered, shameful heart—like that of the realms of hell and hungry spirits—as well as the heart of the buddhas and bodhisattvas, full of compassion, which allows us to take joy in devoting ourselves to other people.

This reminds me of a stanza from a poem by Hiroshi Yoshino (1926–2014): “Passing day after day, / And failing day after day, / These two things / Are we doing as one?”

Because the poem uses the same kanji character for both “passing” and “failing,” it layers the meanings of the two words, showing us that we cannot live life without ever failing. Therefore, it is important that we always reflect upon and ask ourselves, “Do you have a guilty conscience?” and return to the heart of the buddhas and bodhisattvas. 

 

Feeling Shame Leads to Self-Improvement

Honen (1133–1212), founder of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism, left behind these words of earnest self-reflection: “I should be ashamed, I should be ashamed. I am sorrowful, I am remorseful.”

One of Japan’s well-known scholars of Oriental philosophy, Masahiro Yasuoka (1898–1983), said that the humanity of human beings in one aspect is found in pursuing something precious and great, from which arises a mind of respect. Moreover, according to Mr. Yasuoka, when one develops such a mind, “a sense of shame about the lowly reality of one’s self would begin to grow.” And from a religious standpoint, as your faith deepens more and more and you gaze upon yourself sternly, you cannot help but reflect and repent your shortcomings. Indeed, Honen’s words are a testament to this.

When you look up to and revere the gods and the buddhas, and when you are face-to-face with the gods and the buddhas, you may regrettably think, “I am not yet worthy.” But just as Shakyamuni Buddha said, “The mind endowed with a sense of shame is a purer and more beautiful adornment than any kind of robe a person could put on,” so a sense of shame can serve as the dynamic power that spurs our growth as human beings. Mencius, an ancient Chinese philosopher (372–289 BCE) said, “Look up to the heavens, feel no shame in doing so.” That is a good motto for a lifestyle that is richly human and that aims to draw a little closer to greatness.

Of course, this is not some special way of life. What is important is leading a life that always aims to be equally honest before the gods and the buddhas, and toward other people and yourself. In other words, never forget to be polite to people, and do gladly what is expected of you. And then, if you remember to always be considerate of other people, you can pass your days with a clear conscience, free of guilt. 

Even so, if you find yourself getting lost along the way, by all means remember how important it is to consider other people’s feelings first. When you are making a sincere effort to help others, you will not feel like advancing your own selfish interest. Perhaps we human beings develop, little by little, by repeating self-reflection and showing consideration for others.