仏道修行を為す意義
The significance of practicing the Buddhist path
2025-07-31
If one could learn everything through Japanese (one’s native language), there would be no particular need to study a foreign language.
However, if one comes to be convinced that it was precisely through learning a foreign language that one came to know something, then it can truly be said that learning that foreign language had great value.
In the same way, there is a difference between the tranquility that can be known through ordinary worldly life and the tranquility that can only be attained through Buddhist practice. One comes to realize that it is precisely the latter form of tranquility that one had been seeking.
In this sense, it can be acknowledged that for the person themselves, engaging in Buddhist practice indeed had true significance.
Furthermore, it is to be expected that a certain practitioner of the Buddhist path may ultimately reach the state of the deathless Nirvana and abide in the realm of the highest human happiness.
In Buddhism, it is taught that there are four stages of fruition on this path (stream-enterer, once-returner, non-returner, and Arahant).
In short, no matter which of these stages one may reach, doing so affirms the full significance of engaging in Buddhist practice.
However, the length of time it takes for a practitioner to reach these stages of awakening varies from person to person.
Because of this, some practitioners who find it difficult to attain these stages may feel anxious or begin to lose confidence in themselves.
Even so, it must be said that there is meaning in continuing Buddhist practice, for these stages cannot be reached by any other means, and the possibility of attaining them is always guaranteed through the practice itself.
What is important is to proceed calmly and steadily, without haste.
This is because the merit one has accumulated never disappears nor is ever lost.
Each practitioner of the Buddhist path will reach a stage of awakening at the timing that is just right for them.
At that moment, they will come to realize that everything they experienced had meaning, and that not a single thing was in vain.
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