I had only a few seconds to get the shot.
The day was November 3, 1995. …
These sublime, noble peaks were just as I had imagined them. As my heart filled with awe and appreciation, I raised my camera and snapped the shutter six, maybe seven, times.
These mountains seem alive—breathing. Behind these mountains exists a great life force. Through these tremendous prayer towers, the life force of the planet surges skyward and calls out to the heavens. The Himalayas stand as a monument to the Earth’s unaging and undying activity. …
Just then, a merry group of children approached. There were about 20 of them, and they had come from a nearby village to the hill to play. At first, they had stood around watching me from a distance. But perhaps unable to restrain their curiosity, they had all drawn a little closer with each movement I made.
They were dressed shabbily, but their eyes sparkled like jewels. I couldn’t help addressing them:
“We are followers of Buddhism. This is the land where the Buddha was born. The Buddha grew up looking at these magnificent Himalayas, and he worked hard to become a human being who resembled these mountains. He made himself a winner in life—someone who stands tall, with dignity, like these majestic peaks. You are the same as him. You live in the same wonderful place. You can definitely become great!”
Ah, Earth’s highest summit! It is said that even today the Himalayas continue to grow, to thrust upward, higher and higher. They are young mountains, still in their formative years.
As human beings, we too yearn for greater heights. We want to scale the highest peak before us. Ever higher! Ever onward!
To all living things, the Himalayas seem to be calling out: “Break through your present circumstances! Stand tall, soar skyward!”
Challenge the impossible! Aim at the peak no one has climbed before! Scale the precipice!
Hold in contempt those of base ambition, mired in the mud of selfish desire! Drive away devious smooth talkers who are devoid of action!
At the highest summit there are storms, lightning and fierce winds. But on that treasure throne there is also eternal honor, nobility and peace.
Adapted from an essay in Our Beautiful Earth: Photos and Essays of My Travels, by Daisaku Ikeda, April 2, 2000, Seikyo Press, Tokyo, Japan.
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