The one reason you should have faith

June 3, 2023（Last Update: June 13, 2026）

The words "faith" and "religion" may carry a negative impression for many, influenced by modern education and media.

Alternatively, there may be those who feel, "I don't have any prejudice, but I don't feel the need for religion," or "I'm interested in religion but can't take the step to join an organization," or "I used to believe in God, but something sad happened, so I can no longer believe."

However, religion is necessary for everyone.

We will introduce the importance of believing in the Buddha and gods based on the teachings of President Ryuho Okawa.

label Table of Contents

Faith is being able to say, "I am a child of the Buddha."
Encounter with the Buddha and gods
[Faith Testimony] Overcoming the Suffering of My Eldest Son's Suicide
The Lord is with us in times of sorrow
God loves all people
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Faith is being able to say, "I am a child of the Buddha."

It may sound a bit paradoxical and unconventional, but I once stated, "Faith is the confirmation of facts."

The true meaning of that statement is, "This vast universe was created by the fundamental Buddha. Within this universe, there is the will of the fundamental Buddha to sustain various living beings, including humans, and life was born. The fundamental Buddha created the universe, gave birth to life within it, and nurtures it. That life is undergoing various soul training in the phenomenal world. Within that, there is also reincarnation. Confirming that fact is nothing other than faith."

From this perspective, faith did not begin when humans fell into hell. It is something more fundamental.

Ultimately, faith is akin to being asked, "Who are you? Which family's child are you?" and responding, "I am a child of the ○○ family."

In other words, being able to say in response to the question, "Who are you?" that "I am a child of the Buddha. My parent is the Buddha. Sometimes I am referred to as God, but the Buddha is my parent" is faith.

Therefore, "knowing oneself" is actually the "beginning of faith."

(Excerpt from the book‘A Guide to Faith’ open_in_new)

To "believe" means to love oneself, which is "eternal life."

（経典『信仰の法』より）

Encounter with the Buddha and gods

Humans are designed to encounter the Buddha and gods at some point.

One opportunity for encountering the Buddha and gods may be through significant failures and setbacks during human growth in this world. Various forms of failures and setbacks, such as serious illness, failures in exams or employment, and failures in love or marriage, can deeply redirect humans towards the Buddha and gods.

Suffering, difficulties, failures, and setbacks are often seen as symbols of bad things in society, but it cannot be said that this is always the case. I believe that the perspective of "there is a cause for success within failure, and there are seeds of joy within sadness" is very important.

People who view the world in a very simplistic, dualistic way might feel, "If the Buddha and gods exist, then why is there unhappiness in the world? Why do we have experiences that taste of bitterness? Why is there the sadness of encountering death? Why is there the sadness of separation? Why is there suffering called poverty?"

However, such suffering and sadness are not merely suffering for the sake of suffering or sadness for the sake of sadness. What appears to be suffering or sadness is often the transformed, great love of the Buddha and gods.

In Buddhism, various trials are sometimes referred to as the expedients of Kannon Bodhisattva. Within what appears to be various trials and what seems to be sharpening stones, there is actually an encounter with the Buddha and gods.

(Excerpt from the book‘The Origin of Happiness’ open_in_new)

[Faith Testimony] Overcoming the Suffering of My Eldest Son's Suicide

"Dad, do you think this beam's thickness will work?"
"It seems so according to calculations, but it would be better to do it this way."

I remember the scene where my eldest son and my husband were discussing while spreading out blueprints in our living room.

My eldest son T, who was an architect, often consulted his father, a master carpenter, about work. As a child, he was lively, but as he grew up, he became quieter, resembling his calm father more.

I never imagined that such an eldest son would take his own life...

I will share how I have overcome since that incident.

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The Lord is with us in times of sorrow

The most important attitude during times of sorrow is to not forget the thought of being "with the Lord." Without a sense of unity with the Lord, there is no meaning in living through times of sorrow.

No matter what misfortune may arise, that misfortune must be used as a telescope to see the Lord, as a rein to connect with the Lord. The Lord may be surprisingly close, and by pulling that rein, you may be able to draw the Lord closer.

Humans rarely come to know the Lord in times of joy. This is because they do not express gratitude for what is beyond humanity.

However, coming to know the Lord in times of sorrow is not so difficult. In such times, humans feel the limits of their own power and are compelled to pray to something beyond themselves, something greater than humanity. In other words, by praying to the great power that transcends humanity, one can overcome sorrow.

(Excerpt from the book‘From Love to Prayer’ open_in_new)

I am with you. You must not forget that I walk with you on my back.

（経典『永遠の仏陀』より）

God loves all people

The universe is actually made up not of "visible things" but of "invisible things."

What are those "invisible things"? They are "spiritual beings." Various things are made up of "spiritual things."

What is the essence of those "spiritual things"? I want to convey to you that it is "love."

The universe was created by "God's love." Moreover, within various galaxies and planetary systems, including Earth, there are various living beings such as human-like, animal-like, and plant-like beings, and "God's love" resides in all things.

Even if I cannot show you, there must be a place in your heart where you can feel my words.

Why can you feel it? It is because "God's love" resides within you.

That is why I say, "Humans are children of God."

...

I say to you, if there is even one person among you who thinks, "I am not loved by anyone else," I will boldly say.

私は、そんなあなたも愛しています。

あなたがた一人ひとりを愛しています。

(Excerpt from the book『青銅の法』 open_in_newより編集・抜粋）