Within Asian and Hindu literature like the literature of other cultures, we often find the values, morality, and principles of proper or right human conduct values by such cultures. From the writings of Confucius to the Noh plays to the epic Ramayana, we see such principles illustrated as a means of helping human beings live a harmonious, peaceful, and moral life.
In The Dwarf Trees, one of the Noh plays, perhaps we see a concept and ideal expressed regarding right conduct and human development that is embodied in all of the works discussed herein. In the story we see that Tsuneyo is a man who is willing to sacrifice for the good of others. He is willing to diminish himself of his valuable trees in order to keep others warm in the winter that need his shelter and support. Such a lack of material focus and such a brotherhood and compassion toward others win him much, not only in the ultimate decision of the priest but also spiritually. Tsuneyo is honorable because of being true to his word and being above material pursuits. As the Priest tells him, “You have come valiantly. But know that this levy of men was made to this purpose: to test the issue of your words whether they were spoken false or true; and to hear the suits of all those that have obeyed my summons, that if any among them have suffered injury, his wrongs may be rights,” (728).
Focusing on spiritual development and the universal connection with Nature and all living beings is also prevalent in the others works studied here. One of the most similar aspects of the works is the focus on spiritual growth or a pilgrimage of learning and discovery instead of a focus on material pursuits. We see that Monkey is on a pilgrimage as much as the Priest in The Dwarf Trees as much as Confucius was for his life. In Atsumori, we also see that focusing on spiritual pursuits over material ones deals with ridding the soul of desire
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