In general, mercy is demonstrated by the considerate and responsible merchant who sells good food at a reasonable price to his customers. Again, it could be the doctor who cures sickness, the person who helps aged people or any individual concerned enough to protect youngsters from getting off to a wrong start in life.

However, the essence of jihi according to Buddhism is to lead others to establish the condition of enlightenment within their own lives, so that they develop the power to win in life. The fundamental solution to suffering comes from knowing "how to live" with wisdom, conviction and courage. People meet obstacles when they work toward a high-purpose goal, but by continually fighting to win they can unleash a store of tremendous vitality. Inciting a person to win is an act of mercy. Ultimately, the actions of Nichiren Daishonin, who has the virtues of sovereign, teacher and parent, were the highest degree of mercy.

Once President Ikeda outlined the essential points of mercy, or compassion as follows: the man of mercy must equip himself to
1. show proof of good health
2. stay young in spirit throughout life
3. have dignity and good fortune which is developed by daimoku
4. use wisdom
5. have passion
6. gain confidence from knowing one's mission
7. win - if we don't win, we cannot help others
All these make up the nature of man, whose essence is mercy. Moreover, mercy is the real meaning of Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, the law of the universe.

Mercy differs from the Christian concept of love. Love often appears as an act of sympathy or kindness, but is actually a relative condition based on human emotion, which is unstable and therefore weak. Romantic love, which easily transforms into hate or jealousy, is one example of love's inconstancy. Love of country may turn into hatred toward other nations. Even a mother's love for her child is selfish, when compared to mercy, since it is the source of unhealthy competition against the children of other families and against their parents.

Feelings of love or sympathy can only reach the abyss of suffering in another person's life when they are supported by a strong determination to change the cause of suffering - the individual's karma. The source for actualizing this determination is found by practicing this Buddhism. This practice in no way involves self-sacrifice, rather, similar to the preparation the serious student of a medical school will go through. With the goal to make the best of oneself, a person creates causes which perfect his character. This is the human revolution or establishment of absolute happiness.

To overcome sufferings, one must be strong, so the act of mercy or compassion is often severe and very painful. Vigorous shakubuku activity brings out the vitality to win over all personal difficulties. One encourages his friends to start practising Buddhism for their own benefit, but taking this responsibility for others' lives results in the supreme benefit of human revolution for oneself.

It is very difficult to exercise mercy, but even in the early days of one's practice, courage is a substitute for mercy, or compassion. Courageously introducing the practice of Buddhism to others is the fundamental way to bring them happiness and to attain one's own human revolution.

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This page was last modified on Sunday, August 20, 2006.