たすけあい共に輝く命がある 天台宗 一隅を照らす運動 The Light Up a Corner of the World Activities

Ichigu wo terasu Activities.

Brighten the World at Your Corner(Ichigu-wo-terasu) Activities.

How should we, who are living in the modern society, act in order to best realize the spirit of Dengyo Daishi(Saicho)? Consider the activity to which Tendai has committed most of its energy in recent years, which is the movement known as "Brighten the World at Your Corner".

This is connected to the words that begin Saicho's work, "Sange-gakushoshiki",which say:"What are a nation's treasures? True riches are one's faith in Buddha, and those who call it so, and therefore it has from times long ago been said that true riches are not material things but that which shines light into a dark corner."

A nation's riches are not its physical wealth, but rather the individuals who have faith in Buddha and thus illuminate the darkness with their selves. These words are also emphasized in the legacy left to us by Saicho to "Let our will be known", and this is the goal toward which we are encouraging everyone's efforts.

The movement to "Brighten the World at Your Corner" was launched in l969 so that each of us can work towards becoming a bodhisattva who illuminates dark corners.

This movement aims to extend social responsibility as engaged Buddhism throughout society. At the center of this movement is the precept of perfect and sudden awakening; that everyone has the Buddha nature within them and we must awaken to this profound truth.

The strength of Buddha becomes the strength of society, of one's family, and of one's own life. The ritual to attain this vigor is the refuge ceremony Awaken the Buddha nature within you, and hold it out as a candle to lighten up the world. Do your best; strive to be a nations treasure. In this way we will live in a world filled with promise and peace.

一隅を照らす運動

伝教大師最澄 Saicho(Dengyo Daishi)伝教大師最澄
Saicho(Dengyo Daishi)

現代社会に生活する私たちは、伝教大師(最澄、767~822)の精神をどのように生かしていけばよいのでしょうか。
天台宗が近年もっとも力を注いでいる運動に「一隅を照らす運動」があります。
これは伝教大師の著『山家学生式』(さんげがくしょうしき)の冒頭の、「国宝とは何物ぞ、宝とは道心なり、道心ある人を名づけて国宝となす、故に古人の曰く、径寸十枚これ国宝にあらず、一隅を照らす、これ則ち国宝なり」という言葉にちなんだものです。

国の宝は、財宝ではなく、一隅を照らす道心(どうしん)ある人である、というこの言葉は、「わが志を述べよ」という大師の遺言にも強調され、私たちを菩薩(ぼさつ)となるように励ましているのです。

比叡山延暦寺根本中堂 The Konponchu-do of Enryaku-ji on Mt.Hiei比叡山延暦寺根本中堂
The Konponchu-do of Enryaku-ji on Mt.Hiei

昭和四十四年に発足した「一隅を照らす運動」は、自分自身が一隅を照らす人(菩薩)になるように努め、その一隅の輪を社会へと広げていこうとする社会啓発運動です。この信仰の中心は、伝教大師が心血を注がれた円頓戒(えんどんかい)で、だれもが生まれながらにして持っている仏の心(仏性・ぶっしょう)に目覚め、仏力を得るためのものです。

仏の力を発揮して、社会・家庭・自分の生活を力あるものにします。その儀式を授戒会(じゅかいえ)といいます。
心に仏性自覚の灯をともし、世界に輝く「国宝」となるように努めましょう。そうすれば、この世界はかけがえのない社会となるのです。

『天台宗開宗千二百年』(開宗千二百年慶讃大法会事務局・平成17年4月1日発行)より