The Age Barrier - President Ryuho Okawa's Heart Guidance 209 -

April 20, 2022（Last Update: June 13, 2026）

President Ryuho Okawa open_in_new's original work "Heart Guidance" 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 heart guidance in the monthly magazine, you can also find it in Monthly 'Happy Science' May 2022 issue open_in_new.

This month's "Heart Guidance" illustrated the deep meaning of how a person grows into an adult through education and experience after being born into this world. We asked Mr. Kazuhiro Ueda from Happy Science's "Live to 100 Club" about his insights from this guidance, incorporating his own experiences.

Kazuhiro Ueda

Director of the El Cantare Faith Evangelism Bureau (In charge of the Live to 100 Club and Senior Business Office)
Born in 1950 in Gifu Prefecture, 72 years old. Responsible for pollution and environmental administration at Chiba Prefectural Office. Became a monk in Happy Science in 1991. After serving as branch manager, headquarters manager, and director of the base development bureau, he has held his current position since July 2021. He has four children and five grandchildren.

The Importance of Learning from Others

Having learned from this month's guidance, I felt that to truly grow as a human and become an "adult," it is important to deepen the "heart's folds" through various experiences and wisdom, and to understand other people's feelings.

An effective way to do this is to learn from those around you. When I was younger, I listened to the stories of seniors in their 30s, 40s, and 50s, stayed at their homes, and learned the secrets of work and family harmony. This led to my success at work and having a good family, for which I am truly grateful.

However, at that time, I was a materialist, so even if I succeeded, it was merely to satisfy my ambition for promotion. After encountering President Ryuho Okawa's teachings at the age of 36 and learning that "people are born for soul training," my true life began.

Overcoming Barriers with the Teachings of Buddha

I was allowed to become a monk at 41 and have been active as a branch manager in various places, but due to my immaturity, I received complaints from believers and was demoted by the staff. During such times, an experienced Dharma friend guided me.

"Mr. Ueda, you should revisit the teachings of the President and reflect on your arrogance."

So, while receiving training at the temple and prayers, I reflected on the six major delusions (greed, anger, ignorance, arrogance, doubt, and wrong views) and discovered that I was internally convinced that "I can work" and "I am right." This self-centered mindset manifested in an arrogant attitude towards others, asking, "Why don't you do more?"

(I truly apologize for that...)

At this point, my "tengu nose" was broken, and I began to correct myself according to the teachings of Buddha. Gradually, conflicts and misunderstandings with others were resolved, and the joy of mutual understanding spread. This is a happiness that can only be tasted between people, something that machines or AI cannot create.

President Okawa teaches, "There are things you won't understand unless you age," and "The mission of the elderly is significant." Holding those words as hope, even though I am still immature at over 70, I wish to continue striving together with everyone.

This content is reprinted and edited from Monthly 'Happy Science' Issue 423 open_in_new.

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

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