A Guide to the - Rissho Kosei-kai

THE ELEPHANT STEPS FIRMLYWhat Kind of Flower Is Yours?In one's thirties one is in the prime of life. A company prospers through the efforts ofemployees in their thirties who support the section chiefs and department heads, who are intheir forties and fifties. The dramatist Zeami (1363‐‐1443) wrote in his Fushi Kaden (TheTransmission of the Flower of Acting Style) that Noh actors reach the peak of their career at theage of thirty‐four or thirty‐five:For if during these years the actor thoroughly studies the finepoints of dramatics and masters the mysteries of his art, he willno doubt become known for his mastery and acquire fame. If atthis time society's approval is not forthcoming and he does notattain the reputation he aspires to, however skillful he eventuallybecomes he must know that his blossom has not yet reached its glory.Someone who works hard in their teens and twenties will surely bloom in their thirties.However, Zeami says above that even though you have perfected your professional skills, if thepeople around you do not recognize it, you have not yet become the genuine article.Every opportunity I have to speak to young people, I tell them they should try to be "numberone" at their place of work. Some may think this is expecting the impossible, but it is not. Allone has to do is become the very best at something. This is not restricted to the young; it isequally important for people in middle age. "When it comes to knowing products, that's theperson to go to." "If you need some calculating done, she's the best." "When it comes todealing with wholesalers, he's your man." "For straightening out difficulties, that person istops." Even such matters of skill will do. Or it might be a matter of character. "If it's serious, he'syour man." "She's tops when it comes to persevering." "When it comes to kindness, no one iskinder." In any case, it is important to try to be the best at something. If you can be aboveaverage in even one thing, you will feel more confident. That becomes a source of strength.Once you have set your sights on what you want to accomplish and devote all your energy to it,your true worth will become apparent.Many years ago the critic Daizo Kusayanagi expressed a concern that society had entered anage of "low hurdles," in which most people were lowering the hurdles they had to jump overand were satisfied to do so. Although they thought they were making full use of their potential,they were putting out only 60 to 70 percent. One can hardly expect growth in such a situation.Each person makes some kind of effort in their life. For those of us who live in society and holdjobs to earn a living, that is perfectly natural. The degree of effort depends on ourdetermination to use uncompromisingly whatever strengths we possess, in order to grow in ourjobs and achieve breadth and depth as human beings. Moreover, when we throw ourselvesheart and soul into one particular thing, we cultivate honesty and confidence.If we broaden our vision further, we discover that our various endeavors are intricately tiedtogether in the mesh we call society. Since many people in society contribute and renderservice to everyone else by doing better than average and more than is expected, societyblossoms, filling with vitality, exuberance, inspiration, and a sense of purpose.29