Remnants of Thought - President Ryuho Okawa's Guiding Principles 194 -

Jan. 23, 2021（Last Update: June 13, 2026）

President Ryuho Okawa open_in_new's work "Guiding Principles" is serialized in the Happy Science's publication Monthly 'Happy Science' open_in_new. Posters are displayed at branches nationwide, and it is widely known as the monthly face of Happy Science.

For those who want to read the Guiding Principles in the monthly magazine, you can also find it in Monthly 'Happy Science' February 2021 issue open_in_new.

This month's "Guiding Principles" emphasizes the importance of living lightly by letting go of attachments. Tips for grasping true happiness away from desires and conflicts were shared by Shingo Mitsuhashi open_in_new, the director of Niigata Seishinkan, incorporating his own experiences.

三觜眞吾（みつはししんご）

新潟正心館館長

1957年、神奈川県生まれ。港湾運送事業に携わり、91年に出家。総本山・未来館 open_in_new、大阪正心館 open_in_newの館長等を経て、2015年９月より現職。

The Encounter with Faith that Changed Me

Looking back at my twenties, I was suffering from ambitions for success, greed for money, and conflicts with others, as mentioned in "Remnants of Thought."

At that time, I was in charge of a port transportation business, managing over 20 people, but when employees did not listen to me, I would harshly reprimand and scold them. On the other hand, I felt empty about myself and sought answers in religious and philosophical books, but I could not find satisfaction.

During such a time, I encountered the spiritual messages of President Ryuho Okawa and learned the truths of life: "The purpose of life is soul training" and "You become happy by loving others from yourself," which deeply moved me, saying, "Finally, I have found the teachings I was seeking!" On November 23, 1986, I was able to gather at President Okawa's first sermon and first turning of the Dharma wheel.

True happiness is "the happiness of the heart"

The basic doctrine of Happy Science includes "love." When I reflected on what "love" is, I realized that deep within my heart, where I reprimanded employees, there was an ego that wanted to assert my opinions, which was contrary to love.

I changed my attitude and began to encourage employees with motivating words and to offer them advice. As a result, a sense of unity developed in the workplace, drivers began to take the initiative in sales, and our clients praised the employees' attitudes, leading to an increase in orders.

For over 30 years since then, I have continued my spiritual training, and I have come to realize that true happiness for humans is not about fulfilling desires, but about grasping "the joy of the heart" and "the joy of faith." Leaving this world without knowing that could lead to a "meaningless life."

The joy of faith deepens as one continues to strive, so I recommend learning President Okawa's teachings daily, maintaining habits of prayer and reflection, and sometimes contemplating the heart at the temple.

Now, as anxiety about COVID-19 spreads, I hope many people can grasp true happiness through faith.

This content is reprinted and edited from Monthly 'Happy Science' No. 408 open_in_new.

The very popular "Guiding Principles" is featured in the Monthly 'Happy Science', and subscriptions open_in_new are also available, so please take advantage of it!