Don't use your career advancement as an excuse to evade responsibility - Ryuho Okawa's Guidelines for the Heart 208 -

March 19, 2022（Last Update: June 13, 2026）

Ryuho Okawa open_in_new's original work "Guidelines for the Heart" 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 Guidelines for the Heart in the monthly magazine, you can also find it in Monthly 'Happy Science' April 2022 issue open_in_new.

This month's 'Guidelines for the Heart' includes admonitions for those whose attitudes change with their status, and the mindset necessary for career advancement. From the perspective of 'soul training' in this world, how should we perceive career advancement and promotion? I asked Director Shuuzou Saitou of the Training Hall.

Shuuzou Saitou

Director of the Monastic Bodhisattva Training Hall, Training Hall
Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1950. Major in Applied Physics at Osaka University Graduate School of Engineering. After working at Sumitomo Light Metal Industries Co., Ltd. and as a research assistant at Osaka University Faculty of Engineering, he became a monk in Happy Science in 1990. He has held positions such as Head of Headquarters and Director, and has been in his current position since 2012.

I am convinced that if many people practice this month's 'Guidelines for the Heart', unhappiness will disappear and a happy world will spread. As stated in this guideline, there are many who suffer from the desire to be 'recognized', aren't there?

Misunderstanding 'career advancement' as 'ability'

After reading this month's guideline, I learned that career advancement is not the result of 'my achievements or enlightenment being recognized', but rather 'the beginning of further training'.

I was exactly mistaken there in the past. Twenty years ago, I became the director of a local temple from a certain branch, Nikko Temple open_in_new. Since it was a transfer to the headquarters, I thought it was 'career advancement' for me, wondering if my enlightenment had improved.

However, upon taking the position, the operations did not go well. Reflecting on it in light of Ryuho Okawa's teachings, I realized that because I was lenient with others and myself, I had not fulfilled my responsibilities as the director of Nikko Temple, which is a spiritual place that shows the strictness of training.

At that time, I learned that even if my position rises, I must not think 'it's because I have ability', but rather that it is the Buddha saying, 'You must undertake new training to polish your shortcomings.'

'Soul improvement' is the purpose of life

I believe similar things happen in regular companies as well. For example, when one is 'promoted from section chief to department head'. That is the result of 'work done based on one's strengths' being recognized, but there are always weaknesses accompanying those strengths. If one arbitrarily 'cancels out' the troubles caused by their weaknesses and the support received from others, thinking 'all of me has been recognized', that is a mistake.

When one becomes a department head, they can see the work of section chiefs more clearly. Therefore, they can also recognize their own shortcomings from their time as section chief. Observing that closely, correcting their weaknesses, and humbly striving to become someone who can contribute more to those around them is what I believe is the 'opportunity for repentance' taught in this guideline and the meaning of receiving a chance to 'rebuild virtue'.

Moreover, since 'all things are impermanent and there is nothing eternal in this world', career advancement in this world is not the purpose of life; rather, the improvement of the soul is the meaning of this life. Therefore, let us learn and strive without picking and choosing from the teachings.

This content is reprinted and edited from Monthly 'Happy Science' No. 422 open_in_new.

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

You can learn the attitude of diligently striving in any environment.

"In Chapter 1 of 'The Law of Patience', it is taught that 'the abilities required change as positions rise'. In Chapter 3, it is pointed out that 'one's character is revealed when positions are raised or lowered', and it shows the correct attitude for diligent effort. Please take the time to learn it" (Director Saitou)

Training on 'Guidelines for the Heart' is currently being held at temples nationwide! open_in_new

'Helping others' is the source of my energy! open_in_new

True success realized through reflection - 'Gratitude' and 'Giving Back' made me a top salesperson! open_in_new