Make Yourself Your True Work
— Pongyi’s Philosophy
This guesthouse, Pongyi, was born from its founder Masaki’s experience of living as a monk in Myanmar.
Rooted in the way of life he calls “Make Yourself Your True Work,” we continue to put this philosophy into practice through our daily life and hospitality.
Here, we share a part of that journey and spirit, drawn from our booklet “My True Work Is Myself.”
The Origin of Pongyi
— From Masaki’s Experience as a Monk in Myanmar
“Pongyi” means “monk” in Burmese.
The name of this guesthouse comes from Masaki’s experience of living as a monk in Myanmar.
He once lived a stable life as a banker, steadily building his career.
Yet, even though he was materially fulfilled, his heart felt empty —
a voice inside kept saying, “This is not my life.”
Eventually, his family fell apart, and the business he started after leaving the bank failed.
He hit rock bottom, spending his days unable even to breathe with ease.
Then one day, in the depths of despair, a quiet realization came:
“Even so, I am still breathing.”
In that single moment, a small sense of gratitude was born in his heart —
a feeling of being kept alive.
That became the very foundation of his life.
Soon after, he let go of everything and set out for Myanmar.
There, an encounter with the Japanese monk Gayuna Cealo, known as the Sayadaw of Compassion, changed his life forever.
“How can I live true to my soul?”
In response to his question, the venerable monk said,
“Someone should break Masaki’s head open with a hammer!”
Masaki took those words to mean: Break your pride, break your fixed ideas.
He devoted himself to volunteer work without thinking of gain or loss,
and spent long hours in deep meditation.
Through those days, the hard shell around his heart began to peel away.
One day, while giving candy to children during volunteer work,
he felt it clearly within:
“This is what I truly wanted to do!”
Through that experience, the emptiness inside him quietly disappeared.
That realization later became the foundation of the way of life he calls
“Make Yourself Your True Work.”
What Does “Make Yourself Your True Work” Mean?
— Never forget what is more important than money.
At that moment, he made a decision:
“I will give my best to whatever work is right in front of me.
My true work is myself.”
To make yourself your true work means not to define your life by a job or a title,
but to face, with honesty and courage, how you truly want to live.
It is to live a life that moves your own heart —
to live each day with such sincerity
that you can one day say,
“I’m truly glad I was born as myself.”
The Eight Guiding Principles
(A Path for Living “Make Yourself Your True Work”)
- Love yourself, and keep looking within as you walk your path.
- Do what moves your heart, and experience life without fearing failure.
- Do not compare yourself to others — have your own center.
- Know the minimum you truly need, and let go of attachment.
- Accept those who are different from you, and cherish a heart of giving.
- Face trials, and turn them into nourishment for growth.
- Be grateful for the simple moments of everyday life, and live each day completely.
- Live so earnestly that even death is forgotten.
These eight principles are the mindset for living the way of “Make Yourself Your True Work.”
The Present and Beyond — Turning Trials into Strength
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the guesthouse suffered a severe blow.
In the midst of that hardship, Masaki collapsed from a heart attack.
The doctor told him, “Your heart has lost about half its function.”
His life was saved, but many limitations entered his daily living.
The following year, he was also diagnosed with a rare disease in his neck —
one that may one day take away the movement of his arms and legs.
Even so, he believes:
“Trials are chances for growth.”
His life has been a series of failures and setbacks,
but when asked, “Would you like to live your life again?”
he answers without hesitation:
“No. Now is the best.”
All that he has gone through has deepened him and shaped who he is today.
When Nina, the okami (manager) of Pongyi, said softly,
“Even if something happens to you, I will keep Pongyi going,”
her words gave him the strength to continue.
Now, he entrusts the guesthouse to Nina’s care
and quietly watches over its journey with gratitude.
4. Everyday Miracles — A Part of Your Journey
Everyday life itself is already a miracle.
Happiness is not something to search for — it is something that lives within you.
So I hope you, too, will have the courage to live as yourself.
And may your life become one where you can truly say:
“A life that moves my own heart.”
“I’m glad I was born as me.”
No matter what kind of day it is, today is the best day.
Let’s make tomorrow even better together.
Note
The text on this page includes excerpts from Pongyi Booklet (Revised Japanese Edition).
The words introduced here are part of the booklet “My True Work Is Myself.”
You can read the full booklet in the shared space at Guesthouse Pongyi.