Is it too late to choose the Buddha's path now?

I'm currently working for my father's company.
It's a small company founded by my grandfather, but since there are no successors, I think we must consider closing the company in the near future.
My father is in his 70s, but so far he doesn't seem to be thinking about that at all, and he doesn't even seem to think about what to do in the future.
I have the impression that I want the company to close when I die... so far.
Actually, that's a problem, but...

If the company were to disappear, I would like to choose the path of wanting to serve the Buddha, but would it be reckless to start in my 40s?
I went to a nursery school run by a temple, and was taken by my grandfather who contributed to the temple, and I frequently participated in events, visiting graves, and memorial services, so I have been familiar with Buddhism since I was a child, and my involvement with Buddha is somewhat present even after getting older.
However, since there are no schools related to Buddhism, I do not have any specialized knowledge or qualifications.

Last year, when I visited a temple I definitely wanted to visit until I die, along with a sense of relief, there was something that drew my heart right in...
What do you say, I burst into tears because I couldn't put it into words.
I think this strengthened my desire to serve the Buddha.

I know that I have to walk a very difficult path until I become a monk.
After all, is it tough to become a monk if you don't gain experience with people involved in a temple or when you're young?
It seems that I will receive sweet thoughts and scolding, but I would be grateful if you could answer.
We look forward to working with you.

4 Zen Responses

There is no such thing as being slow to start

Deciding that you want to enter Buddhism is called initiation.
None of the founders of Buddhism denied this origin as “useless because they are too old.” Rather, if you start your heart even on the last day of your life, there is no doubt about its merits.
Even if I were halfway through the road and the end of this life came, it wouldn't be for nothing.
Please think carefully, don't rush, don't overdo it, and follow the path you want.

I am blessed with a relationship with the Buddha

I read it. As Momome Onishi said, it's not late at all. Please don't worry and I want you to learn from now on.
I, you, and the monks who belong here are all disciples of the Buddha. Nothing changes in front of the Buddha.
I sincerely pray to the Buddha that you will have lots of Buddha relationships in the future and that you will study Buddhism at your own pace and work hard.
You will surely be blessed with a wonderful relationship, and you will be able to complete your Buddhist practice and your heart will be satisfied.

Namu Amida Buddha

Namu Shakamuni Buddha

I started studying Buddhism when I was 34 years old. At that time, I received training to become a monk, and there were a few people in their 60s there. So don't worry about age.
Rather, I think that if you learn Buddhism by gaining various life experiences, you can take it more seriously and more realistically.
The first step is to decide on a denomination and then search for teachers and monks. This is probably the hardest part.
If you like the denomination of the family temple, it would be best if the chief priest of the family temple became your mentor and monk.
Please do your best to become a good monk.

When I first started, it became a normal sense

Satsuki-sama

This is Kawaguchi Hidetoshi. This is my humble answer to the question.

It is said that the road of a thousand miles also starts at one step, but even in Buddhism, that origin is more important than anything else.

In the Kegon Sutra, we place importance on it to the extent that it is even stated that the first heart is equivalent to enlightenment, as “the first heart is convenient and correct.”

Of course, this also means that a strong sense of origin as a determination not to retreat is necessary in order to reach enlightenment, and above all else, it can also be said that enlightenment is impossible without a strong intention.

By all means, I pray that the Buddha will have better guidance along with the Buddha's connection, based on this initiative.

Let's work hard together to practice Buddhism.

Kawaguchi Hidetoshi Gassho

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