"Don't be so selfish (wagamama), just endure (gaman) it," my mother used to say to me when I was a child.
In particular, many Japanese idioms originate from Buddhism. However, this is not the only reason why kanji are difficult for foreigners to understand, as combinations of similar characters have completely different meanings. The idiom ``我儘'' is pronounced ``selfishness,'' and ``我慢'' is pronounced ``gaman.''
It seems that to understand the teachings of Buddha, one must let go of such tendencies. Over time, however, this has evolved. "Wagamama" means "to do as one pleases," while "gaman" means "to endure" or "to persevere."
On the other hand, as I aged, I learned the four-character idiom "生老病死" (seirōbyōshi), also derived from Buddhism. It encompasses the stages of life: "birth," "aging," "sickness," and "death." While this phrase carries profound Buddhist teachings, the crux is that "living" itself is indeed challenging.
Humans, when they possess wealth, indulge in luxury, and with power, they become self-centered. With both wealth and power, they become arrogant. If those above are selfish, those below must endure. Those who flatter their superiors may advance, leading to laziness within organizations.
However, this is not eternal. Here, one must first shed selfish desires, endure the stages of life, and live according to one's own path. The essence of life is surely to continue living.
K.Mikami
