Patience

If someone calls you a thief, you shouldn't get angry,

as long as you are not a thief.  If someone calls you a beggar,

you are not so if you don't go and beg.  Kami sees all.

GI: Ichimura, Mitsugoro 12-1

Everyone has experienced accusations or censures from someone.  What was your reaction toward such false denouncements?  Didn't you feel furious and resentful and seek revenge or retribution?  To be honest with ourselves, we often feel this way and lose control of ourselves.

Konko Daijin is telling us what to do when we feel furious and lose control of ourselves because of someone's false denouncements.  Konko Daijin teaches us that Kami knows the truth -- Kami is always with us.  Our deeds are the most important, not what others say nor rumors.  We do not need to get angry at all when someone accuses us.  Kami sees the truth and knows what we did, not what someone says we did.

In this teaching we must pay extra attention to the statement, "Kami sees all."  The statement is gentle and affectionate for the one who did not steal or beg.  At the same time, it is strict and rigorous for the one who steals or begs.  The teaching, "Kami sees all," is neither strict nor affectionate, but the Truth of the Universe.