Jirinden (18) To value life and hate death
「Ten-Chi-kan no michi to ieru mono wa, sei wo yomi shi shi wo nikumo koto zo」(Heishū Jirinden, Vol. II, Kenjutsu Mokuroku Jo)
・The truth of the heavens and earth is that (everything) values life and despises death.
The birds, beasts, insects, fish and all in the natural world prefer love and cherish life. Death brings fear and sorrow and so it is detested. From this law of nature, it is only natural at no one enjoys killing. However, because people mistakenly value only their own life, they will, in the end, kill others and having lost that treasure, will kill their lord or father.
If you take the initiative and cultivate a spirit that does not quarrel, bloodthirsty altercations will not occur. It is the correct path of the heavens and earth that one can rule without fights or arguments. As long as this world exists, even for thousands of years, one must not move according to one’s own selfish desires.
(Presented by Yuji Wada, Costantino Brandozzi, Rennis Buchner)
