Kentetsu Takamori Quotes & Sayings

Some nonreligious people are disgruntled by the word "faith," feeling that it has no connection to them. But we all have faith. Broadly speaking, "faith" does not apply only to belief in the supernatural. We have faith in our life, for example, believing we will live to see tomorrow, or in our health, believing we have years of healthy life ahead of us. Husbands and wives, parents and children have faith in one another. — Kentetsu Takamori

What each of us believes in is up to us, but life is impossible without believing in something. — Kentetsu Takamori

Change yourself, and others will follow. — Kentetsu Takamori

Greed kills us all. — Kentetsu Takamori

No one should ever despair because the entrance to his or her chosen career path is clogged. There is an ancient saying: The persistent drip wears through stone. — Kentetsu Takamori

Health, wealth, reputation, and status are all mere ingredients of happiness. The key to true well-being is being able to manage them capably. — Kentetsu Takamori

Many Buddhist temple priests regard their parishioners as possessions and fear their departure as a diminishing of assets. — Kentetsu Takamori

Amida's unimpeded light is the sun of wisdom that destroys the mind of darkness.
(Preface in Teaching, Practice, Faith, Enlightenment) — Kentetsu Takamori

On the Brevity of Our Ties
Ties in this world last only for a time. We are husband and wife, parent and child, for a short period only. Once this reality sinks in, we cannot help treasuring each moment of our brief association. — Kentetsu Takamori

Bliss and suffering, it seems, always go hand in hand. — Kentetsu Takamori

Everyone makes mistakes. Whether we put our mistakes to use depends on how deeply we reflect on our actions. It is desirable to reflect until the tears come.
- On Self-Reflection - — Kentetsu Takamori

Living in a world such as this is like dancing on a live volcano. — Kentetsu Takamori

Absent a sense of the preciousness of one's own life, why respect the life of anyone else? — Kentetsu Takamori

How wonderful it would be if people did all they could for one other without seeking anything in return! One should never remember a kindness done, and never forget a kindness received. — Kentetsu Takamori

Since living is believing, no one can be completely lacking in faith. — Kentetsu Takamori

If you are fortunate enough to enjoy great success, you should never forget the spirit of the beginner, and not grow indolent and arrogant. — Kentetsu Takamori

Knowing life's purpose would invest everything one did with meaning. — Kentetsu Takamori