Flint has the potential to produce fire, and gems have intrinsic value. We ordinary people can see neither our own eyelashes, which are so close, nor the heavens in the distance. Likewise, we do not see that the Buddha exists in our own hearts.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the hidden potential within ourselves that we often overlook.
In this quote, Nichiren suggests that just as flint can spark a fire and gems hold value, people have intrinsic worth and potential that may not be immediately visible. He compares the obscured view of our own eyelashes to our inability to recognize the Buddha's presence within our hearts, highlighting that we often underestimate our own capabilities and the spiritual essence that resides within us.
In practice
During a motivational speech about self-discovery, one might use this quote to illustrate the idea that everyone has hidden potential.
Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away by the eight winds: prosperity,decline,disgrace,honor,praise,censure,suffering, and pleasure.They are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved by decline. The heavenly gods will surely protect one who is unbending before the eight winds.
If you light a lantern for another, it will also brighten your own way
Never let life's hardships disturb you. No one can avoid problems, not even saints or sages.
Suffer what there is to suffer. Enjoy what there is to enjoy. Regard both suffering and joy as facts of life.
The whole point is to discipline the mind.
Whatever makes you weird is probably your greatest asset.
Maturity requires a final accommodation between our aspirations and our limitations.
Indifference is harder to fight than hostility, and there is nothing that kills an agitation like having everybody admit that it is fundamentally right.
I think humility - which I think is a very good value to adopt - is basically an extension of understanding your own ignorance.
Instead of jumping at the chance to be offended, choose to be amused. Rather than filling your thoughts with resentment, fill your heart with forgiveness.
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