1
00:00:05,632 --> 00:00:12,121
When we are connected with someone,
or feel sympathy with others,

2
00:00:12,145 --> 00:00:17,153
all of us feel happy.

3
00:00:17,177 --> 00:00:22,456
Today, I would like to talk about
the "feeling of appreciation,"

4
00:00:22,480 --> 00:00:25,084
"self-examination,"

5
00:00:25,521 --> 00:00:29,613
and "respect for others,"

6
00:00:29,637 --> 00:00:34,013
which I believe are
the most important mindsets in life.

7
00:00:35,143 --> 00:00:41,584
I was inspired to hold this belief

8
00:00:41,608 --> 00:00:47,634
by the "Omine Sennichi Kaihogyo,"

9
00:00:47,658 --> 00:00:52,426
a practice in which you walk
48 km in the mountains,

10
00:00:52,450 --> 00:00:54,000
every day, for a thousand days.

11
00:00:54,024 --> 00:00:57,553
After that, there is a period
of 9 days without drinking,

12
00:00:57,577 --> 00:01:03,442
eating, sleeping, or lying down.

13
00:01:05,334 --> 00:01:08,815
When I was a young boy,

14
00:01:08,839 --> 00:01:11,668
I found out about
this ascetic practice on TV.

15
00:01:14,465 --> 00:01:20,951
I then had this true, pure feeling
of wanting to give this challenge a try.

16
00:01:22,123 --> 00:01:24,705
You might wonder,

17
00:01:24,729 --> 00:01:28,748
"Why would a young boy suddenly
get interested in such a tough practice?"

18
00:01:29,457 --> 00:01:34,387
Perhaps the reason might be
my interest in figuring out

19
00:01:34,411 --> 00:01:39,407
how I can help people
get along with each other,

20
00:01:39,431 --> 00:01:43,868
learning the reasons
why people hate and dispute,

21
00:01:43,892 --> 00:01:47,892
and trying to find ways
to resolve such conflicts.

22
00:01:50,149 --> 00:01:56,418
Before elaborating
on the Sennichi Kaihogyo practice,

23
00:01:56,442 --> 00:02:01,354
I would like to talk about
the religious values of Japanese people.

24
00:02:02,645 --> 00:02:05,345
In Japan,

25
00:02:05,369 --> 00:02:10,618
we originally had "Shinto"
as the indigenous religion.

26
00:02:11,653 --> 00:02:16,415
Later, in A.D. 538,
Buddhism was introduced.

27
00:02:16,439 --> 00:02:20,268
Both don't exclude others or impose
a superior attitude towards non-believers,

28
00:02:20,292 --> 00:02:22,542
so these religions
coexisted naturally in Japan.

29
00:02:23,787 --> 00:02:29,790
Shintoism is about valuing a sense of awe,
gratitude and coexistence with nature.

30
00:02:30,663 --> 00:02:35,869
Buddhism is a religion which teaches us
the true, better way of life.

31
00:02:35,893 --> 00:02:38,914
The two harmonized deeply,

32
00:02:38,938 --> 00:02:42,945
and gradually evolved to treasure
the spirit of "wa" or "harmony."

33
00:02:44,457 --> 00:02:49,556
Therefore, many Japanese people
believe our life is supported by nature,

34
00:02:49,580 --> 00:02:51,889
which is a unique belief, globally.

35
00:02:53,098 --> 00:02:57,205
For example, on March 11, 2011,

36
00:02:57,229 --> 00:03:02,115
a great earthquake and tsunami
hit this Tohoku region.

37
00:03:04,577 --> 00:03:08,855
Since then, we have faced
tremendous suffering and difficulties.

38
00:03:10,641 --> 00:03:14,989
Despite such sorrow,
people helped each other,

39
00:03:15,013 --> 00:03:16,981
shared their limited food,

40
00:03:17,005 --> 00:03:20,899
and made our best effort
to live under the spirit of "wa."

41
00:03:22,186 --> 00:03:26,411
Various media covered
this attitude and spirit,

42
00:03:26,435 --> 00:03:30,035
which lead to countless voices
praising the people of Japan.

43
00:03:31,483 --> 00:03:35,891
A while after the earthquake,
one foreign news source said,

44
00:03:35,915 --> 00:03:42,389
"The Japanese people
believe that nature let them live.

45
00:03:42,413 --> 00:03:49,398
It's surprising that they never hold
a grudge against mother nature."

46
00:03:51,241 --> 00:03:55,890
This ascetic practice, peculiar to Japan,

47
00:03:55,914 --> 00:03:58,163
is based on this unique,
nature-oriented belief.

48
00:03:58,187 --> 00:04:02,880
To meet nature face-to-face and
to take on the challenge,

49
00:04:02,904 --> 00:04:07,603
I headed for the Kimpusen-ji temple
on Mt. Yoshino, in Nara prefecture.

50
00:04:08,319 --> 00:04:13,022
This practice demands that trainees walk
48 km of mountain trails every day,

51
00:04:13,046 --> 00:04:16,309
which takes 16 hours each time.

52
00:04:16,333 --> 00:04:22,898
This long journey lasted 4 months,
from May 3 to September 3.

53
00:04:22,922 --> 00:04:26,775
Once you start the practice,

54
00:04:26,799 --> 00:04:30,613
you cannot quit before completing it,
even in rain, or storms, or illness.

55
00:04:30,637 --> 00:04:35,101
Should you decide to stop
for whatever reason,

56
00:04:35,125 --> 00:04:40,298
you must end the practice
by killing yourself with a dagger.

57
00:04:40,322 --> 00:04:43,655
Why this harsh rule?

58
00:04:43,679 --> 00:04:46,922
The rule reflects the extreme difficulty
of completing even a day.

59
00:04:46,946 --> 00:04:49,681
Repeating this 48 km walk
for a thousand times

60
00:04:49,705 --> 00:04:55,226
means that a trainee must be prepared
to risk his life to try it.

61
00:04:55,250 --> 00:04:57,760
In this context,

62
00:04:57,784 --> 00:05:00,436
that rule is not something
that disregards human life.

63
00:05:02,025 --> 00:05:06,282
During the practice, I get up at 11:30 pm.

64
00:05:07,249 --> 00:05:10,500
I then purify myself under a waterfall,
dress myself in white,

65
00:05:10,524 --> 00:05:14,565
and take two rice balls
and 500 ml of water.

66
00:05:14,589 --> 00:05:20,051
At 12:30 am, I start my journey
towards the summit of Mt. Omine,

67
00:05:20,075 --> 00:05:23,769
which is 1719 meters high
and 24 km away from the start.

68
00:05:25,420 --> 00:05:29,241
Some mountain trails are extremely steep,
and precipitous cliffs await.

69
00:05:29,265 --> 00:05:32,094
Every moment is life-threatening.

70
00:05:32,785 --> 00:05:35,935
Arriving at the summit at 8:30 am,

71
00:05:35,959 --> 00:05:41,328
I pick up another rice ball and some water
to go back down the same trail.

72
00:05:42,280 --> 00:05:44,468
I would return at 3:30 pm,

73
00:05:44,492 --> 00:05:47,263
and do the cleaning, washing,
preparation for the next day,

74
00:05:47,287 --> 00:05:49,899
and sleep for four and a half hours.

75
00:05:49,923 --> 00:05:51,760
This cycle continues for four months.

76
00:05:52,599 --> 00:05:58,021
As I only eat rice balls
and drink water during the day,

77
00:05:58,045 --> 00:06:02,176
in a month, my nails crumble
due to malnutrition.

78
00:06:02,783 --> 00:06:07,454
In the third month, I walk in summer heat,
over 40 degrees Celsius.

79
00:06:08,095 --> 00:06:09,974
I start to see blood in my urine.

80
00:06:11,154 --> 00:06:14,242
I always faced the danger
of being attacked by bears, boars,

81
00:06:14,266 --> 00:06:16,086
and poisonous snakes.

82
00:06:17,218 --> 00:06:20,468
A trainee must endure and overcome
such situations every day,

83
00:06:20,492 --> 00:06:23,824
to complete the thousand days
of the Sennichi Kaihogyo.

84
00:06:25,882 --> 00:06:29,075
During this challenge,

85
00:06:29,099 --> 00:06:32,422
I kept a journal
to record my state of mind.

86
00:06:32,446 --> 00:06:34,903
Let me read some of it.

87
00:06:38,581 --> 00:06:40,070
Day 17.

88
00:06:40,094 --> 00:06:42,613
"The next step is unknown to an ascetic.

89
00:06:42,637 --> 00:06:45,052
There is no other option
but to keep going.

90
00:06:45,076 --> 00:06:46,651
It's beyond reason.

91
00:06:46,675 --> 00:06:49,782
If he doesn't go,
he must kill himself with a dagger.

92
00:06:49,806 --> 00:06:52,993
The next step is unknown to him."

93
00:06:55,550 --> 00:07:00,782
Every day, I was forced to extremes,
both physically and mentally.

94
00:07:00,806 --> 00:07:04,214
But at the same time,
I always had a feeling of fulfillment.

95
00:07:04,238 --> 00:07:05,708
Why?

96
00:07:05,732 --> 00:07:09,812
Perhaps it's because
I had the strong desire and hope

97
00:07:09,836 --> 00:07:12,819
to become a person
who can be of help to others,

98
00:07:12,843 --> 00:07:15,826
people suffering all over the world.

99
00:07:15,850 --> 00:07:20,917
I was determined to realize that dream
by devoting myself to the daily practice.

100
00:07:21,477 --> 00:07:26,052
Yet, only one person had completed
this practice in history.

101
00:07:26,076 --> 00:07:27,748
I faced many difficulties.

102
00:07:27,772 --> 00:07:32,126
Legend says there are at least
3 deadly moments during the practice.

103
00:07:32,150 --> 00:07:36,104
For me, the first was a serious landslide,

104
00:07:36,128 --> 00:07:39,097
the second was when
I was nearly attacked by a bear,

105
00:07:39,121 --> 00:07:45,517
and the third was losing 11 kg in 10 days,

106
00:07:45,541 --> 00:07:49,957
due to an illness, starting on Day 488.

107
00:07:53,077 --> 00:07:54,949
Day 489.

108
00:07:54,973 --> 00:07:57,327
"Stomachache. I cannot stand it.

109
00:07:57,351 --> 00:08:00,543
Every joint of my body aches.
The pain is so intense.

110
00:08:00,567 --> 00:08:05,781
I collapsed on the roadside,
leaning against a tree in tears and sweat.

111
00:08:05,805 --> 00:08:08,401
But for others' sake,
it's my duty to stand strong.

112
00:08:08,425 --> 00:08:11,628
My job is to give hope to others.

113
00:08:12,243 --> 00:08:15,933
I told myself that I were not qualified
to be an ascetic if I inspired pity,

114
00:08:15,957 --> 00:08:17,775
and I finally came back to the temple.

115
00:08:17,799 --> 00:08:20,387
I had no idea how I was able
to walk the 48 kilometers.

116
00:08:20,411 --> 00:08:21,648
My neighbor told me,

117
00:08:21,672 --> 00:08:24,749
'Your steps are so light!
You're still healthy, aren't you.'

118
00:08:24,773 --> 00:08:28,050
'Yes, thank you.' I say, but no.
I am in terrible shape.

119
00:08:28,074 --> 00:08:30,556
No one knows the backstage of my life.

120
00:08:30,580 --> 00:08:32,614
Nay, no one needs to know.

121
00:08:32,638 --> 00:08:37,846
I just want to be as pure and sincere
in front of the Buddha,

122
00:08:37,870 --> 00:08:40,667
as a wild flower blossoming,

123
00:08:40,691 --> 00:08:42,239
to be seen by no one."

124
00:08:44,387 --> 00:08:48,829
Running a high fever for several days,
unable to eat anything,

125
00:08:48,853 --> 00:08:52,512
on Day 495,

126
00:08:52,536 --> 00:08:56,464
I collapsed on the mountain,
in total darkness.

127
00:08:57,062 --> 00:08:59,077
In the dark,

128
00:08:59,101 --> 00:09:01,115
I didn't feel anything.

129
00:09:01,139 --> 00:09:02,932
No pain, no agony.

130
00:09:03,527 --> 00:09:07,308
I felt like I was enveloped
in something or by someone.

131
00:09:08,125 --> 00:09:13,082
I assumed I would die in the morning.

132
00:09:13,640 --> 00:09:17,015
Suddenly, memories of my life
came flashing back,

133
00:09:17,039 --> 00:09:19,547
reminding me of the people
who supported me.

134
00:09:19,571 --> 00:09:23,885
I firmly stood up, telling myself
that I couldn't quit here.

135
00:09:23,909 --> 00:09:25,594
That is why I'm here today.

136
00:09:26,170 --> 00:09:32,791
People say that our view of life changes
when one hovers between life and death.

137
00:09:32,815 --> 00:09:35,475
Let's take a look at my case.

138
00:09:37,995 --> 00:09:39,343
Day 563.

139
00:09:39,367 --> 00:09:41,814
"I think people are all equal.

140
00:09:41,838 --> 00:09:47,804
We must appreciate the fact
that we were born on the same Earth,

141
00:09:47,828 --> 00:09:49,962
equally provided with air,
water and light.

142
00:09:51,030 --> 00:09:55,223
We cannot count all the stars
in a lifetime.

143
00:09:55,247 --> 00:10:00,201
Given that, I thought I should live
a truly enriched, placid life.

144
00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:04,044
I can feel my heart beat
when I put my hand on my chest.

145
00:10:04,068 --> 00:10:08,556
If I remind myself
that my heart won’t be beating forever,

146
00:10:08,580 --> 00:10:13,333
I should be able to cherish and live
my gifted but limited life to the fullest.

147
00:10:14,242 --> 00:10:17,053
We should respect others

148
00:10:17,077 --> 00:10:18,968
just as we care about ourselves.

149
00:10:19,581 --> 00:10:23,988
A thoughtful mind will bring us happiness.

150
00:10:24,741 --> 00:10:27,907
Getting up early, walking,
eating, sleeping.

151
00:10:28,611 --> 00:10:32,202
With these simple,
most fundamental parts of human life,

152
00:10:32,226 --> 00:10:34,812
I contemplate such thoughts
alone in the mountain."

153
00:10:36,866 --> 00:10:39,795
2500 years ago, Buddha said,

154
00:10:39,819 --> 00:10:44,570
"Repeating the same practice with passion

155
00:10:44,594 --> 00:10:47,852
will lead you to a new discovery."

156
00:10:48,460 --> 00:10:51,116
This is where the meaning
of ascetic practice lies.

157
00:10:51,140 --> 00:10:55,940
As I walked the trail every day
with all my strength,

158
00:10:55,964 --> 00:11:01,557
I gradually realized what are
the important mindsets for us humans.

159
00:11:02,069 --> 00:11:06,809
They are the "feeling of appreciation,"

160
00:11:06,833 --> 00:11:08,513
"self-examination,"

161
00:11:08,537 --> 00:11:11,057
and "respect for others."

162
00:11:11,081 --> 00:11:15,792
They may seem simple and too ordinary.

163
00:11:15,816 --> 00:11:18,985
We learn them from our parents
when we're young.

164
00:11:19,452 --> 00:11:24,771
But when we ourselves experience
a critical moment,

165
00:11:24,795 --> 00:11:28,485
we finally realize the importance
of simple things in life

166
00:11:28,509 --> 00:11:32,505
from the bottom of our heart.

167
00:11:34,063 --> 00:11:40,359
What's important is the harmony
between yourself and others.

168
00:11:41,759 --> 00:11:46,991
We are all precious.

169
00:11:47,809 --> 00:11:51,852
Everyone is dearest to themselves.

170
00:11:53,693 --> 00:11:57,377
That's why it is important
to love our neighbor

171
00:11:57,401 --> 00:12:01,230
as we love ourselves.

172
00:12:02,741 --> 00:12:06,624
Your heartfelt respect,

173
00:12:06,648 --> 00:12:09,998
or your thoughtful mind,

174
00:12:10,022 --> 00:12:12,836
words and actions

175
00:12:12,860 --> 00:12:15,303
will connect people together.

176
00:12:15,327 --> 00:12:20,594
And someday, your blessings
will be returned to you.

177
00:12:20,618 --> 00:12:27,594
This cycle will lead you
to a better, hopeful life.

178
00:12:29,976 --> 00:12:33,976
Conflict and hatred
will never bring us happiness.

179
00:12:34,856 --> 00:12:41,037
It is important to reflect upon
the current situation you are in,

180
00:12:41,061 --> 00:12:42,957
to face it directly, and to accept it.

181
00:12:44,955 --> 00:12:49,076
By standing face-to-face with others,
you will discover something new.

182
00:12:49,929 --> 00:12:52,566
You can deepen the bond
between you and them.

183
00:12:53,589 --> 00:12:56,876
Of course, facing them like that

184
00:12:56,900 --> 00:13:01,634
may lead to additional problems
and difficulties.

185
00:13:02,766 --> 00:13:08,783
But with a thoughtful mind,
and through respectful discussion,

186
00:13:08,807 --> 00:13:12,701
we can discover new possibilities.

187
00:13:14,465 --> 00:13:18,017
That's why we, the people of Tohoku,

188
00:13:18,041 --> 00:13:20,549
have come this far from the disaster,

189
00:13:20,573 --> 00:13:24,112
by coming face to face
with the enormous difficulty,

190
00:13:24,136 --> 00:13:26,747
and by deepening our bonds.

191
00:13:28,623 --> 00:13:32,342
It is often said
that Japanese people are indecisive.

192
00:13:32,366 --> 00:13:34,565
I don't believe so.

193
00:13:34,589 --> 00:13:39,748
We have the ability to choose
the best option, harmonize our thoughts,

194
00:13:39,772 --> 00:13:43,549
and lead ourselves to a better future.

195
00:13:45,057 --> 00:13:47,564
This spirit of "wa," harmony, in Japan,

196
00:13:47,588 --> 00:13:50,090
should be shared with the world,

197
00:13:50,114 --> 00:13:52,636
from here, from Tohoku.

198
00:13:54,304 --> 00:13:58,015
An ideal world is a world

199
00:13:58,039 --> 00:14:03,343
where people, nations,
religions and cultures

200
00:14:03,367 --> 00:14:08,229
respect one another
with a thoughtful mind.

201
00:14:08,674 --> 00:14:12,693
It is my sincere hope that, one day,

202
00:14:13,174 --> 00:14:16,523
such a better and wonderful world
will be realized.

203
00:14:17,785 --> 00:14:23,440
Let us wish the best for world peace,

204
00:14:23,464 --> 00:14:25,241
and the peace of every individual.

205
00:14:26,273 --> 00:14:30,047
Even in this moment,

206
00:14:30,071 --> 00:14:32,701
there are people suffering
from hunger and poverty.

207
00:14:33,555 --> 00:14:36,106
Now is the time to take action for them,

208
00:14:36,130 --> 00:14:39,745
and to start with something simple.

209
00:14:40,048 --> 00:14:42,582
Let's think in a wide perspective,
with a broad mind.

210
00:14:43,397 --> 00:14:45,501
We are embraced by nature,

211
00:14:45,525 --> 00:14:48,317
with its unique and incredible balance.

212
00:14:49,031 --> 00:14:52,029
This nature and its balance
would never be achieved

213
00:14:52,053 --> 00:14:55,160
through man-made technologies.

214
00:14:55,496 --> 00:14:59,743
We must appreciate the fact
that we're able to live in such a world.

215
00:15:00,715 --> 00:15:03,548
And when we are connected with someone,

216
00:15:03,572 --> 00:15:06,532
or feel sympathy with others,

217
00:15:06,556 --> 00:15:11,687
all of us experience happiness.

218
00:15:12,430 --> 00:15:17,807
We are born on this Earth
to achieve such happiness.

219
00:15:18,975 --> 00:15:21,865
I wish you all happiness.

220
00:15:22,261 --> 00:15:23,610
Thank you.

221
00:15:23,634 --> 00:15:26,485
(Applause)