Words for Graduating Children and Their Parents (March 2020)
Senior class students! Congratulations on your graduation!
But, why do we say "congratulations"?
You all know what a baby is like. At first, a baby could not chew food, walk, or speak.
You were the same.
But, there was always an invisible, mysterious power of grace working within you, helping your bodies grow, and with the help of your fathers, mothers, teachers, and various people around you, and through your own efforts, you have become able to do many things, just as you can now.
You are the first graduates of the "Reiwa" era.
There was a man named Yamanoue no Okura who wrote many poems in the ancient book "Manyoshu," where the word "Reiwa" comes from. Okura loved his children dearly, and he wrote a poem saying,
"Gold, silver, and jewels are nothing compared to children; there is no treasure as wonderful as a child."
The feelings your fathers and mothers have for you are the same as Okura's.
This same Okura also experienced the saddest, most painful parting a parent can have with their child.
However, today, illnesses are fewer, and you have lived to this day, and today, you have safely graduated. Therefore, it is truly a joyous occasion.
Now, this year as well, I would like to talk to the parents about the "An, In, Un, En, On of Life."
"An" is the "An" in "peace of mind, safety, and tranquility." We want our children to be happy. You could say that everyone lives for that purpose.
"In" is the "In" in "cause and effect." Good results and bad results all have their respective good and bad causes. That is why people study and work hard. "Un"
is the "Un" in "destiny, good luck, and bad luck." Unexpected things happen while we are alive. Therefore, it is necessary to be prepared for illnesses, accidents, disasters, and crimes. "En"
is the "En" in "karmic connection." The reason we were able to meet like this is because an invisible force was working to bring us together. "On" is the
"On" in "gratitude/blessings." We live thanks to the grace of all other people and nature, so let us be grateful for those blessings.
To the graduates and parents.
I was very happy to have met you all. Although we cannot meet every day starting in April, we live near each other. Please come visit anytime.
Thank you very much.
(Based on the "Principal's Words" from the Wako Nursery School "Graduation Anthology," March 2020)
* While I believe there are many songs that sing of maternal love, I think Yamanoue no Okura is perhaps a rare poet of "paternal love" in the world.
I have mentioned Okura's "Poem on Thinking of Children" before. Please take a look if you would like. ↓
February's Virtue "Dhyana and Serenity" (Let's think well and live a calm life) (2020) | Chiaki Shirai (note.com)