Morinaga, in Novice to Master, presents ideas and concepts that might be considered strange or different from a western perspective. These are his observations as to understand the self-worth, define the real courage, realize the relationship between enlightenment and happiness, avoid using “by accident” and believe in the teacher. All living beings have their own vales when they exist. Nothing can be considered as trash. They perform their duties in different fields. For example , leaves on tress are able to produce oxygen to organisms.
Even though they fall off the trees, they serve as mulch that protect the tree. Also, when they are decomposed, they can release nutrition and fertilize the ground. Therefore, they show their values, whether they are alive or not. Sometimes, some people may be considered worthless because they loaf around all day even they violate the law that will cause damage to the society. However, they do the wrong thing due to misunderstanding their self-worth. Everyone has wisdom and venture when they are born.
Thus, when they find out their mistake, they are able to correct themselves, take their responsibilities and do their best to help others. They still can contribute to the society. Consequently, there is no useless thing in the world. The real courage is that people keep their original purpose and insist on accomplishing it. When Morinaga was allowed to enter into the monastery, he was confused why he was there. Finally, he found out that“To sustain and carry out that original intention-just this, it itself-is real courage”(pg 73). People have to face lots of challenges in their lives.
It’s hard for them to keep their original intentions. For example, a lot of people give up their dreams because they think they are impossible to complete them. Also, they will face many temptations such as authority, money and reputation that hinder them to carry out their goals when they enter into the society. They may be attracted by them and lose their purposes. Therefore, if people want to keep their intentions and never give them up easily, it requires them to have enough courage and firm beliefs so that they can overcome difficulties and frustrations.
Consequently, if people have the real courage, they devote themselves to their goals. Even though the results may disappoint them and attack their confidence, they will not change their purpose. If people want to feel happy, learning enlightenment is the beginning of happiness. Enlightenment can be regarded as “true self-confidence”. If people believe in themselves, they have determination to decide what they should do and plan for their lives. Thus, they can follow their dreams and have lives that they really expect for.
As a result, they are able to easily be happy. However, in the current society, the majority of people never experience enlightenment. They still feel happy for their lives and be satisfied with what they own. For instance, they are happy because they receive excellent grades at school, win the competition, receive presents from friends, and they are happy because their parents are healthy even they are happy without reason. There are diverse reasons for being happy. Enlightenment may be one of them.
Therefore, enlightenment cannot be the starting point which defines whether people are happy or not. People should not use” by accident” when they make the mistake. They need to be responsible for their behaviors and the results that they may make. Before making a decision, they should think it over seriously. When they find something that is not appropriate to do, they must analyze it and correct themselves immediately. Besides, when people describe the mistake is an accident, they do not realize that’s their fault. They have forgiven themselves.
Therefore, when they are in the same situation, they will repeat this mistake. They will have the same problem because they never recognize their mistakes and intend to accept them. Thus, people need to analyze whether their decision is suitable. If they find they are wrong, they must admit it and improve it. Using” by accident” is a way to avoid their responsibility. People should totally trust their teachers without any complaints. The most important thing for them is to accept their teacher’s idea with no rejection.
Nevertheless, no one is perfect in the world. Although they are teachers, they still can make some mistakes. Therefore, if students just follow their teacher’s instructions and never think of them, they will replay the teacher’s mistake. Also, it’s difficult for them to realize it because they believe what their teachers say and never try to question them. In addition, these students are hard to come up with new ideas, and they are easy to lose their creation because they are difficult to have their own thoughts when they study with their teachers.
Thus, students have better to raise questions and dare to doubt their teachers. In conclusion, Morinaga presents many concepts that may full of philosophical ideas and differ from what people hear. He claims that people should recognize their own values and explains what the real courage is. Also, he argues how the enlightenment relates to people’s life and the effects of people forgiving their mistakes. Besides, he indicates the importance of believing in teachers.