We are taught that the fifth of the eight dusts is "grudge-bearing." One often comes to bear a grudge against someone because something he or she did brought about a loss of face or stopped one's wishes from coming true. We are warned that to blame and bear a grudge against others while ignoring our own situation, knowledge, and strengths or without reflecting upon our amount of merit or lack thereof is to harbor a dust.

In the past, people had no choice but to resign themselves when natural disasters occurred since this was something that far surpassed human power. But as science and technology have progressed, humans now have the ability to avoid them to some degree. However, this has brought about the tendency to bear a grudge against others when disasters occur, attributing them to human error or negligence. Recently, transportation and environmental disasters have become major issues. A moment of carelessness, a simple error, or a lack of consideration from a single person or a corporation as whole can now cause a great amount of suffering and irreparable damage to many people. When we consider the suffering experienced by the victims of such disasters and wonder what kind of future is in store for them, we cannot help but feel inexpressible sympathy for them. Yet natural disasters are none other than God the Parent's way of sounding an alarm to society today. Environmental disasters are none than God the Parent's message to humanity urging them to reflect on their minds that seek pleasure and profits through the present socio-economic structure.

Needless to say, when a disaster occurs, there must be an effort on everyone's part to thoroughly investigate its cause, go through a period of self-reflection, and make improvements so that any mistakes that may have been made will not be repeated for a second time. When an individual, corporation, or a nation makes an error or is guilty of negligence, on top of a thorough effort to correct the situation, there must be an utmost effort to make amends as well. Attempts to evade or to look past this responsibility while continuing to pursue one's self-interests reveal a mind that is covered with the dusts of miserliness, covetousness, and self-love.

However, we are instructed that we must make a clear distinction and not blame others for our present situation. The Scriptures read:

Though I have spoken such severe words, It is because of My haste to save you.

Suffering comes from you own mind.
So you should reproach yourself.*

Mikagura-uta X: 6-7

Hereafter, on whatever path you may find yourself, never bear a grudge against others. Reproach yourself.*

Ofudesaki XIII:108

Our life each day is filled with God the Parent's deep intention that sees and knows all. It is important that we accept what occurs in our lives as our own matter, awaken to the divine intention contained within, and use this new knowledge as spiritual nourishment to live a better life. No matter how difficult or weary our situation may seem, God the Parent's profound parental love is clearly contained within it. Imagine how regretful God the Parent would be if we overlook this and blame it on someone to remain in a never-ending grudge-bearing state.


*Note: The original Japanese for "reproach yourself," in these verses is "waga mi urami," which also can be translated as "bear a grudge against yourself."