29.—Ingwa wa, kuruma no wa.
Cause-and-effect is like a wheel.[[25]]
[25] The comparison of karma to the wheel of a wagon will be familiar to students of Buddhism. The meaning of this proverb is identical with that of the Dhammapada verse:—“If a man speaks or acts with an evil thought, pain follows him as the wheel follows the foot of the ox that draws the carriage.”
30.—Innen ga fukai.
The karma-relation is deep.[[26]]
[26] A saying very commonly used in speaking of the attachment of lovers, or of the unfortunate results of any close relation between two persons.
31.—Inochi wa fū-zen no tomoshibi.
Life is a lamp-flame before a wind.[[27]]
[27] Or, “like the flame of a lamp exposed to the wind.” A frequent expression in Buddhist literature is “the Wind of Death.”
32.—Issun no mushi ni mo, gobu no tamashii.
Even a worm an inch long has a soul half-an-inch long.[[28]]
[28] Literally, “has a soul of five bu,”—five bu being equal to half of the Japanese inch. Buddhism forbids all taking of life, and classes as living things (Ujō) all forms having sentiency. The proverb, however,—as the use of the word “soul” (tamashii) implies,—reflects popular belief rather than Buddhist philosophy. It signifies that any life, however small or mean, is entitled to mercy.
33.—Iwashi[[29]] no atama mo shinjin kara.
Even the head of an iwashi, by virtue of faith, [will have power to save, or heal].
[29] The iwashi is a very small fish, much resembling a sardine. The proverb implies that the object of worship signifies little, so long as the prayer is made with perfect faith and pure intention.