悟りシェアする希望の火

他者の苦しみに胸を痛める人にとって、
人が大切にされない世界は――ただ、悲しい。

その悲しみが、悟りを求めさせる。
その痛みが、世界を変えたいと願わせる。

たとえ一人でも――
そんな人がいるかぎり、
世界には、まだ希望がある。

Introduction
A Flame for all Humanity

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

ブッダの火

ネパール

キング牧師の永遠の火

アメリカ

ガンジーの記念の火

インド

イエス変容の火

エルサレム

平和の灯

広島

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

Introduction
A Flame for all Humanity

お釈迦さまが生まれたルンビニ（ネパール）

イエス様が生まれたベツレヘム（パレスチナ）

／予定

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

私たちは広島からの「希望の火」を灯し、
世界のために祈ります。

ダライ・ラマ14世

『平和の実現を目指して、
「希望の火」の巡礼をはじめた皆さまを祝福いたします。』

ローマ教皇　レオ14世

Introduction
A Flame for all Humanity

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

＜写真＞　
●トルーマン大統領の孫

（左から３番目）

●東條英機元首相のひ孫

（中央）

●マハトマ・ガンジーのひ孫

（右から３番目）

●ナチス将校、アーモンゲートの孫（左から２番目）

●アウシュビッツ生き残り、

エスター・ソルキの孫（一番左）

2019年より、人類の利他の祈りを一つの火に込める

「希望の火」の活動を開始。

世界の要人や市民に呼びかけ、

そのムーブメントを広げている。

絶望の底で見つけた一筋の光

「希望の火」が生まれる前の物語

In writing this book, I have intentionally tried to avoid personal anecdotes because I think the Flame of Hope is a spiritual asset that human beings should share.

It is a sacred light for all people, a spiritual inheritance that transcends nation, race, and religion. It is a historical flame where the collective prayers of humanity may be entrusted.

This section explores the body sensation of enlightenment

as experienced through the chanting practice of the Flame of Hope,

along with the Buddhist philosophy that underlies and supports it.

For some readers, this may be unfamiliar territory—perhaps even difficult to relate to at first so I thought about how to make this section interesting.

Finally I decided to tell my own story of how I came to Buddhist practice as an introduction.

It is not a story that I am actually very proud of………

A Youth Shaped by Pain
Destroying my own Body to Forget the Pain of Living

Ever since I can remember, from the age of three years old, life for me has been a place to endure pain.

It has always been that way. To live is to endure pain, both physically and mentally.From the age of 10 to 13, I lived in New York City.

I used to deliver newspapers and there was no fun in my life at all. In extremely cold weather, even when the roads were icy, I delivered newspapers, often catching a cold. In the dimly lit newspaper delivery office under the elevated train tracks, I occasionally mingled with the children of low-income immigrants.

Two years after returning to Japan, I entered high school.

It was the kind of school that the sons of families of high society attended. This was exactly what it meant to be out of place. I also despaired of the world I saw on the crowded train to school.

For me, a 16-year-old, life meant enduring the urge to die. So I tried to forget the pain of living by destroying my body. I overdosed on drugs and tore my body to pieces by cutting my wrists, and more.

I dropped out of two high schools and repeatedly ran away from home. Eventually, I became homeless.

Ever since I can remember, from the age of three years old, life for me has been a place to endure pain.

It has always been that way. To live is to endure pain, both physically and mentally.From the age of 10 to 13, I lived in New York City.

Two years after returning to Japan, I entered high school.

It was the kind of school that the sons of families of high society attended. This was exactly what it meant to be out of place. I also despaired of the world I saw on the crowded train to school.

I dropped out of two high schools and repeatedly ran away from home. Eventually, I became homeless.

Experiencing the presence of the Great Spirit of the Universe
The Light that Shattered the Night

One of those days, I somehow had a mystical experience.
During a musical performance, I was suddenly immersed in a luminous radiance that enveloped all things. It happened twice. I had no reference for it—no interest in religion, no knowledge of mysticism—and yet something whispered:
“Is this enlightenment?”

That single moment turned the direction of my life.
The urge to die became the desire to live peacefully.

I began meditating in nature . I chanted the Heart Sutra beneath open skies. I sought solace in trees, wind, and water.

Eventually, by chance, I began to attend a certain Buddhist training centre. They practiced Nembutsu and chanted the Heart Sutra for two hours about four times a week. Without knowing why, I began to attend every practice

Soon I began to devote myself to the practice as if I were pushing myself to more than my limit.

Three months later...... For the first time in my life I experienced peaceful sleep. I realised that I had not slept peacefully ever since I could remember. I was 18 years old at the time.

Sometimes I fasted in the mountains and wandered around Mount Hiei (The spiritual mountain looking down on Kyoto) in the middle of the night. After three days of fasting I climbed the mountain without light and almost fell off the cliff many times.

Whenever I lost my way in the darkness, it was the fireflies that guided me.

Three years had passed since I began to devote myself to the practice. During that time, I experienced the presence of the Great Spirit of the Universe and received the Unification of Great Love.

I learned the principles and methods of salvation for the unsaved spirits and also recognized that human beings have invisible bodies.

These experiences saved the very core of my whole existence.