Suigetsu (The Moon on the Water)
When a stone is thrown into a pond, the moon reflected on the water scatters and becomes disturbed. Even if the moon’s reflection is disturbed, why should one be flustered? The moon itself remains unchanged. Even if clouds hide the moon and it disappears from the water’s surface, once the sky clears, the unchanged moon will appear again.
Even if the moon’s reflection on the water (consciousness, mind) is disturbed, why make a fuss? The key is to mentally depict the moon itself and not lose sight of its true nature.
Meditate and draw the moon in your mind. In Esoteric Buddhism, there is a practice called “Moon Wheel Meditation” (月輪観). This signifies faith in the essence of things.
Concept of Self in Eastern and Western Thought
In Western cultures, the concept of the self is often absent. At least, there is no direct equivalent in English. Conversely, in Eastern cultures, there is no concept of God (an absolute, transcendent being) as in monotheistic religions. Therefore, the foundation of ethics in monotheism is sought in God, while in Eastern thought, it is sought in the self.
As a result, monotheists place behavioral norms in external laws, systems, and contracts. Easterners place them in internal aspects like etiquette and morality.
I place emphasis on the interaction between the self (subject) and reality (existence). Thus, the structure of the self as an indirect object of recognition holds significant meaning.
Clear Mind and Still Water
In Japanese, there are various words to express the self, each with subtle differences in meaning:
- 私 (watashi), 我 (ware), 自分 (jibun), 自己 (jiko), 自我 (jiga), 自身 (jishin), 己 (onore), 吾 (ware), 個人 (kojin), 自ら (mizukara), 俺 (ore), 僕 (boku)
In addition, archaic or formal expressions include:
- 当方 (tōhō), 拙者 (sessha), 小生 (shōsei), 朕 (chin)
These variations reflect the nuanced ways in which the self is perceived and articulated in Japanese culture.
The Self as Active and Autonomous
The self is characterized by:(マナラボ)
- Subjective Activity: Thinking, judging, and acting independently.
- Autonomous Function: Possessing personal standards and making distinctions based on one’s own reasoning.
- Self-Controlled Activity: Regulating oneself without external imposition.
- Automatic Function: Operating through one’s own power, not external forces.
- Cognitive Subjective Activity: Perceiving, feeling, and recognizing independently.
- Existential Prerequisite Activity: Serving as the foundation for all existence in cognition.
- Indirect Object of Recognition: The self is recognized only as a mirror to itself.
Reality and Intuition
Face the reality before you. The horrors of war, the plight of poverty—what is God seeking? It is not conveyed through words but demonstrated.
The existence of the self is not proven through technology, philosophy, or ideology, but by facts.
The moon reflected on the water, the person observing it, and the reflection itself constitute the “water moon.”(オンライン英会話のネイティブキャンプ)
In the West, where the concept of self is weak, ironically, external relationships have deepened, leading to the development of science, democracy, and capitalism. However, the inner aspect tends to be lost. For instance, issues like caregiving and ethics are often forgotten and replaced by concerns about laws, systems, and facilities.
Japanese people tend to resolve everything by internalizing it.
The self manifests through the body, just like life. The body and life are distinct entities. When life is lost, the body becomes a corpse. Life is invisible but undeniably exists. Even a tiny insect is alive. It’s evident that life resides in plants and flowers.
The true nature of life is a mystery.
Your self manifests through your body. You are undeniably alive. This is a fact. You can see it, but life itself is invisible. Invisible yet undeniably alive. This is proven through actions.
To anyone.
Whether one is alive or not is known only by the one who feels it. It’s like knowing one’s existence. The initial recognition is meaningless.
Facts can only be intuited. Meaning and distinction come afterward.(オンライン英会話のネイティブキャンプ)
Therefore, hone your intuition. This is a hypothesis.(Linguee.jp, Reddit)
At first, you don’t understand; you feel.
You don’t love someone because of logic. You love them without reason. If asked what you like about someone you dislike, you wouldn’t know how to answer. You can only say you like them because you feel it first.
Therefore, hone your intuition. This is a hypothesis.