Devotion and effort

Even if the seedling of destiny is planted, it will not grow larger in a single day. From olden times it was said that peaches and chestnuts take three years, persimmons eight years and apricots easily require thirteen years for fruit. During the period when the seedlings are being raised, we must endure various difficulties. A long period of devotion and effort is required. Haratani-en (see our past blog) took fifty years. Isn’t it trite that to continue through those difficulties and to make effort for a long period, ambition must always be coming forth from within us?