Happy Science: The True Feelings of the Second Generation of Members [Second Generation Member Interview]

Over 30 years have passed since the establishment of Happy Science, and many people referred to as 'second generation members' are actively involved. How do second generation members, who grew up in families where their parents were part of Happy Science, engage with the organization and what are their feelings about their faith? We conducted a roundtable interview to hear their honest thoughts.

We spoke with...

● Mr. A.S (24 years old, male, Tokyo) Creator. His hobby is watching movies, and he enjoys action genres.
● Mr. H.N (25 years old, male, Tokyo) Web producer. He is such a car enthusiast that he can identify car models by their engine sounds.

Mr. A.S (hereafter, S): My parents were believers of Happy Science, so I feel like I have been a believer since I was born. I took the Three Returns Vow open_in_new when I was 8 years old. My parents said, 'Let's all take the vow together,' and I think I was in the third grade.

Mr. H.N (hereafter, N): Oh, the same for me. I took the vow in the fourth grade, along with my two siblings. I think there was a change in the system around that time that allowed elementary school students like us to take the vow.

S: I see. So it was around the same time as you, N (laughs). For me, taking the Three Returns Vow was a significant milestone. Until then, I had been going to the branch open_in_new and listening to Dharma talks open_in_new, but I didn't really have a conscious awareness of practicing a religion, so I remember thinking at that moment, 'I have become a believer.'

S: Our family rule was to drive to the branch or temple open_in_new once a week. Since we lived in the countryside, it was customary for us to spend 1-2 hours driving there as a family. We prayed every morning and night. We had a home altar (family shrine) where we prayed.

N: In my family, my father was an employee of Happy Science. When he was working as branch staff in our hometown of Fukuoka, the branch was close by, and since my mother was also active, we often went to the branch together.

As for events, I mainly participated in 'Dharma Talk Listening Sessions.' These were gatherings where believers listened to videos of President Okawa's Dharma talks at the branch. There weren't many satellite broadcasts of lectures back then... Nowadays, it's common to listen to lectures via satellite broadcasts. I think, 'Wow, is this really okay? I can listen to so much!'

S: When I was in elementary school, I often fell asleep during the Dharma Talk Listening Sessions... I'm sorry. But I didn't have any resistance to going to the branch itself.

N: Also, when there were events for parents and children at Happy Science, I participated in volunteering alongside my parents who were on the organizing side. I think I had quite a few opportunities to be involved with Happy Science, but at that time, I still felt like I was just going along with it.

N: I experienced bullying in elementary school, but the school didn't provide a fundamental solution, and I had to directly tell the perpetrator to 'stop,' which was a tough situation. Bullying doesn't end easily, and there were many things happening when the teachers weren't watching, which made it really hard.

However, my mother, who was learning the teachings of Happy Science, always supported me by saying, 'You are a “child of Buddha,” so you'll be okay,' and thanks to that, I was able to avoid becoming too pessimistic. So, I was supported by the teachings of Happy Science open_in_new through my mother. However, there were times when my parents said, 'As the son of an employee, you should not be ashamed,' which honestly felt like pressure and I didn't like it. During high school, there was a period when I rebelled against my parents.

S:

When I think about what being a believer brought me... I think it was that I 'didn't go astray.' The conflicts that often arise at school, such as studying, club activities, and interpersonal relationships, I believe I naturally learned how to overcome them through Happy Science. We had a lot of monthly magazines open_in_new and books at home, including manga and booklets for elementary school students, so I had many opportunities to be exposed to the teachings.

I started reading books around the upper grades of elementary school, and I thought they were easy to read because they had many parables. I feel like I was really helped by the teachings entering my mind without me realizing it.

S: I like 'The Law of Courage' open_in_new and 'Think Big!' open_in_new. I have a naturally shy personality, so I picked them up thinking, 'Do I really need this?' The first time I read them was in high school, and there were many good stories. Among them, in 'Think Big!', there is a part that says, 'Even if your physical strength doesn't increase a hundredfold, your courage can increase a hundredfold.' This changed my outlook on life and made me very positive. I think of it as my bible.

N: If I had to pick one book, it would be 'Love People, Give Life, and Forgive.' open_in_new Before I moved to Tokyo, around the age of 23, I went through a difficult time both internally and financially. During that time, I read this book, and it reminded me of the basic things as a person, and I realized that I had forgotten that I was surrounded by many people.

In the first chapter, there is a concept called 'The Love Balance Sheet', which discusses how to differentiate between the love you give to others and the love you receive. It was shocking. 'The results are clear. I have received too much. This is not good,' I thought. I realized how much love I had received in my life, and it resonated with me deeply.

S:

In school, and even from my parents, there are important ways of thinking for living that are not clearly taught (in the books of Happy Science). They are condensed into very persuasive words.

※ In Chapter 5 of 'Think Big!', it says, 'Your physical strength may not increase a hundredfold. Your intelligence may not increase a hundredfold. The duration of your life may not increase a hundredfold. However, your courage can increase a hundredfold. When you awaken to your true ideals and mission, your courage will become a hundredfold.'

N: I think it was when I entered university and started living alone. I realized how much I had been supported by my parents until then, and I began to think, 'From now on, I have to do everything myself.' Around that time, my father encouraged me to read President Okawa's books. I thought that if I had any worries, I needed to read them myself and solve my problems, so I started reading.

At that time, like S, I read 'The Law of Courage' and 'Think Big!' and was really pushed to think, 'I need to have a hungry spirit to grow myself, not just be passive.' I feel like my heart was being trained during my student days, and my faith was solidifying at the same time.

S:

After starting my job, I began to participate in youth activities, where we planned various events ourselves, invited non-members, and held events. Everyone was sharing their dreams while practicing the teachings, and I thought those seniors were 'cool.' I think it was significant to meet people I admired.

S:

You won't have trouble making friends. Because of the commonality of faith, you can bond quickly, and through activities, you can make acquaintances nationwide and meet various people.

N:

I really want people who are just starting their careers or have future anxieties to know about Happy Science. In this era where values are confused and it's unclear what to do, Happy Science allows you to learn about 'ways of living' that are not taught in schools.

Happy Science covers a wide range of teachings that address modern concerns, and I believe anyone can gain guidance for their life. You can resolve both the problems you can articulate and the vague worries you may not even understand, and you gain the power to carve out the future ahead. If I hadn't encountered Happy Science, I can't imagine where I would be... I truly feel the goodness of Happy Science.

――Thank you for sharing your story.