Health Is the Greatest Benefit

We Are Always Healthy and Energetic

The first day of the year, January 1, is called ganjitsu [元日] in Japan. The character gan [元] of ganjitsu has three meanings—“origin,” “beginning,” and “totality.” We can all agree then on the importance of the custom of thinking about how to start the year ahead of us, deciding on a plan for how we hope to live this year, and building the spiritual base for it. What kind of aspirations are you all cherishing for 2023?

Reflecting on the past few years, which have been laden with sadness and many sufferings such as the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, natural disasters, and the assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, I hope that we will all use our ingenuity to make 2023 a particularly healthy and energetic year.

You may wonder why I say such a thing, but in fact, the Japanese word genki [元気], meaning “be well” and “energetic,” has a deeper meaning than our common usage of it: In the Japanese word genki [元気], the character for “gen” is the same as the “gan” of ganjitsu [元日], described above.

According to Masahiro Yasuoka (1898–1983), a great scholar of Eastern philosophy, the ki of genki means “vital energy,” which also signifies “the origin of all living beings in the universe.” From this perspective, we can see that the origin of all things, including human beings, overflows with vital energy and that is why, by our very nature, we possess an existence that is healthy and energetic.

Turning to Confucian thought, the I Ching (The Book of Changes) teaches us that the movement of the heavens—that is, the force of nature—has maintained order and harmony in a constant state of health since the universe began without ever stopping. This means that our bodies and minds, which are one with nature, receive blessings from nature and are inherently healthy.

In this sense too, I think it is important for us to lead healthy and energetic lives, while not doing things that impair the workings of the vital energy that we have been endowed with from the start.

Bodhisattva Practices Are Healthy Practices

In the Dhammapada, Shakyamuni says, “Health is the greatest benefit.” As long as we are alive, we want to be healthy, so when we hear these words, as spoken by Shakyamuni—a human being, just like us—we feel very close to him.

However, Shakyamuni goes on to say that, “Satisfaction is the greatest treasure, faith is the greatest friend, and nirvana (the extinguishment of greed, anger, and ignorance) is the greatest joy.” To reiterate what I said earlier, we are each inherently endowed with a healthy body and peaceful mind. But I interpret these words of the Buddha’s as a lesson for us: in order to put our bodies and minds to the best use, it is important that we know how to be satisfied with whatever is enough, get along with people around us, and not be swayed by greed, anger, or our self-centered minds.

It is natural that everyone gets sick and grows old, so being healthy does not merely mean having no illnesses or trouble with bodily functions. Shakyamuni teaches us that having gratitude for existing and leading a harmonious life with peace of mind are greater benefits for human beings; this is the meaning of truly being healthy.

As I have said before, for us members of Rissho Kosei-kai, good health means we lead our lives in a way that demonstrates we are living with the hope—as much as is possible in this world—that suffering decreases and happiness increases. When we apply this idea to reality, the bodhisattva practices of the Six Paramitas we perform while being considerate of others are an important part of our daily diligence and, at the same time, are nothing more than “practicing good health” in a manner that revitalizes our own inherent wellness and energy while also providing other people with wellness and energy.

When we wish for the happiness of other people, our own vital energy is working vigorously. The dictionary defines “well-being” as “health and happiness.” In wishing that people around the world enjoy days full of health and happiness, let’s put our wellness and energy to active use.