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(Summary)

Today, on the occasion of the spring grand service of Honjima Grand Church, I am sincerely grateful that so many of you have returned from near and far, not only from within Japan but also from overseas.

We tend to divide people into near and far, domestic and overseas; however, when viewed from the perspective of Oyasama, surely there is no distinction between inside and outside. All are equally beloved children, one and the same. On this occasion of the spring grand service, held shortly before the approaching 140th Anniversary of Oyasama, I would like to offer my greetings once again. Congratulations to everyone. Thank you very much.

The outside temperature at present is said to be 3.5 degrees Celsius (38.3F). Here inside the sanctuary, we have heaters and are able to stay warm; however, it must surely be quite cold in Jiba.

It is said that on the lunar-calendar date of January 26, 1887, when Oyasama withdrew from physical life, the temperature at that time was also between three and four degrees Celsius (around 38F). Therefore, if we were to listen to the service sermon outdoors in our service attire just as we are, we would surely be able to experience, even if only in part, the great occurrence that happened 140 years ago.

Our predecessors performed the Service under extremely harsh conditions, putting even their very lives on the line to its fulfillment. When we reflect upon this, we cannot help but feel how deeply blessed we are today, and with this sense of gratitude, I would like to proceed with my talk today.

Before I get into the main portion of my sermon, I would like to sing one song. It is entitled “God the Parent.” Please sing along if you know the lyrics:

“God the Parent”
Long, long, long, long ago long before that
God the Parent created all of mankind
God the Parent is indeed our true Father
God the Parent is indeed our true Mother
If we the children of God live in harmony
If we the children of God live joyously
Oh how happy God will be as our Father
Oh how happy God will be as our Mother

It is a song that clearly defines God the Parent’s position and intention. I would like to take to heart the words of this song as we move forward.

In this season when we are about to welcome the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama in a short time, I would like to look back on the Shinbashira’s thoughts once again.

The Instruction Four concludes with the following words, “thereby bringing joy and peace of mind to Oyasama, who is working by virtue of Her eternal life.” I would like to talk about two points: “bringing joy” and “peace of mind.”

Considering what is required to bring peace of mind to Oyasama, I have two thoughts.

The first hint is contained in the “Truth of Origin.” I would like to cite a part from it.

The first children thus born were all half an inch (5 bu) tall. Growing taller gradually, they reached a height of three inches (3 sun) in ninety-nine years. Then they all passed away for rebirth and their father, Izanagi-no-Mikoto, withdrew from physical life. However, Izanami-no-Mikoto again conceived the original number of children by the divine providence already taught her and, after ten months, gave birth to them again. The children, then too, were half an inch tall at birth and, after growing to three and a half inches (3 sun 5 bu) in ninety-nine years, all passed away or rebirth once more.
Then the children were conceived for the third time. They were again born half an inch tall and, this time, grew to four inches (4 sun) in ninety-nine years. At that time, their mother, Izanami-no-Mikoto, said, “Now that they have grown so tall, in time they will reach the height of human beings five feet tall,” and with smile, withdrew from physical life. Then all her children, too, passed away for rebirth, deeply yearning for their mother.

The words we would like to pay attention here are “maturity,” and “with a smile, withdrew from physical life.”

Five bu tall equals to about 1.5 centimeters (0.5 inches). Three sun tall is about 9 centimeters (3.5 inches). That’s how much they grew in 99 years. I believe the word commonly used would be “grow up” but Oyasama said, “maturity.” My interpretation is that it is because it not only refers to the physical growth, but also the spiritual growth.

They always start from half an inch (5 bu / 1.27 cm) tall. First, they grew to three inches (3 sun / 7.62 cm) tall, then to 3.5 inches (3 sun 5 bu / 9 cm), and then to 4 inches (4 sun / 10 cm) after which they passed away for rebirth. Although the size in the beginning is the same, they grow taller each time. As they repeat the process, the amount of the growth gets bigger. I believe this is an important point.

Also, I assume that Izanami-no-Mikoto “withdrew from physical life with a smile” because Izanami-no-Mikoto saw the growth of children. That is to say, the maturity of children brings “peace of mind.”

Therefore, in anticipation of Oyasama’s Anniversary to be observed once every 10 years, we should spend our lifetime trying not to stop making progress to grow spiritually. I think such effort enables us to bringing peace of mind to Oyasama.

Therefore, let us continue to grow spiritually with sincere minds so we can bring our minds closer to Oyasama’s mind, which is the mind of thoughtfulness and the mind of salvation.

Another important thing is, on the lunar-calendar date of January 26,1887, when Oyasama withdrew from physical life, She was “listening to the cheerful sounds of the musical instruments contentedly,”when the last part of Song Twelve was ending. I think being “contentedly” is also having a peace of mind.

In other words, it is important for us to conduct ourselves in such a way that would bring peace of mind to Oyasama. Formalities are important but I feel it is more important to conduct ourselves with the determination to save the world.

Upon reading the Life of Oyasama once again, it is said that the Service that was held on the lunar-calendar date of January 26, 1887 did not include all of the musical instruments. The men performed the roles that were designated for women in the Kagura Service. The Hand Dance was performed by six male performers. Although the form of the Service was not as it should have been, Oyasama listened with contentedly. When putting this into perspective, is it not our resolve of performing the Service which will result in Oyasama feeling contended.

The second verse of the “God the Parent” song we sang earlier goes, “If we the children of God live in harmony. If we the children of God live joyously. Oh how happy God will be as our Father. Oh how happy God will be as our Mother”

The purpose of our faith is the realization of the Joyous Life world. Specifically, a world where people everywhere live together in harmony and joy. This is our ultimate purpose and the goal. Unfortunately, there are hostile disputes happening in many places today, but the closer we get to attaining the Joyous Life, the happier God the Parent will be.

To that end, Oyasama taught us the “service” and the “Sazuke.” However, merely performing the service or administering the Sazuke is not the end goal itself. The goal is for the people of the world to live in harmony and joy. Proactively making an effort to attain this goal and putting it into practice is what ultimately leads to bringing joy to Oyasama.

Therefore, even if it starts just from one-on-one interactions, I would like us to live together joyfully and harmoniously, walking the path while guided by faith, and feeling the presence of Oyasama by our side.

Finally, before Oyasama’s Anniversary, I would like to read from the final chapter of The Life of Oyasama.

Chapter 10, “The Portals Opened” begins with the following words.

Despite all that occurred both inside and outside the faith, the Path continued to expand. The year 1886 ended, and, on New Year’s Day, 1887, in the evening, as Oyasama came out of Her bath, She staggered momentarily. When She was asked at the time, She said,

It is a sign that the world is going to move.

The chapter begins as such. From here, the final lesson begins but I would like to skip this part and will read aloud from the day before Oyasama’s withdrawal from life.

However, on the night of February 17, in retrospect, the last night Oyasama was to be physically manifest in this world, Her condition worsened. An inquiry was made through Izo Iburi. Then:

Sah, sah, I shall begin to level the ground completely. Sah, sah, with the portals opened, opened, I shall level the ground all over the world. Sah, I shall step out to level the ground. Sah, sah, shall I open the portals and level the ground? Shall I close the portals and level the ground?

Import: In the eyes of God the Parent, all human beings are brothers and sisters. From the standpoint of the soul, there is not the least bit of difference between the high and the low. If all people in the world meet with one another on the level of equality, as true brothers and sisters, the world of the Joyous Life will begin. In other words, God wishes to bring the minds of all people to the same level. Should this be done with the portals opened or closed?

At this, all who were present replied, “Please open the portals and level the ground.” At that moment, the fan used for the invocation flew open. Then:

The approaching confrontation. . . . You may not know what confrontation it is. I draw everyone, everyone, everyone to Me. I draw anything and everything to Me. Drawing everything to Me, I shall open the portals to the whole world, open, open, open. Everything will be entirely changed.

Import: The truth of God and the truths of the world have finally come to a confrontation. To open a path to world salvation, God has drawn all kinds of people and all kinds of affairs to the Residence of Origin. While drawing forth all kinds of people and affairs, I shall open the portals and step out to save the world. Then the state of the Path will change completely.

Following this, another request was made for church establishment, “May we proceed with worldly matters?” Then,

It will not do, will not do, will not do.

Import: Do not mistake the issue. There are more pressing matters at hand.

Dawn broke on that fateful day, February 18, which was January 26 by the lunar calendar, the day of the Service. This day, on which the Service performance had taken place each month, was especially significant because now, through Oyasama’s condition, God the Parent was urging the performance of the Service. A great number of worshippers from neighboring villages and districts had assembled. Moreover, the police were keeping strict watch. A single mistake would result in the arrest of the ailing Oyasama. Caught in this dilemma, the disciples could not decide what to do. They made an inquiry as to the will of God. Then:

Sah, sah, on any matter whatever, you must listen and understand well, understand well, understand well. Sah, sah, each and every matter. . . . Sah, I have instructed you night after night, night after night, night after night. On this one matter, I told you to do it now, to do it at once. I instructed you to do it immediately. Sah, now, at this time, I am in haste. Some of you say, “Respond to God’s will at once.” Others say, “Be prudent.” Still others say, “Wait awhile.” Sah, sah, concerning the one thing, do you fear the law, the law? Do you fear God or do you fear the law? It is useless to hesitate. The Service must be performed at any cost. I have told you this many times before. I am not instructing you in something new at this time. Which path will you take? Do not ask Me such a question. You should understand by this one instruction.

Import: The answer to the problem is no different from what I have been telling you over and over again. I told you long ago. Listen! When I say, “Now,” begin immediately. Now hurry and begin. You ask Me to wait while you make petitions to the authorities. This is not the time for such leisure! Are you afraid of the law? Are not the words of the Parent precious? Where are you putting the emphasis in your faith? You must think carefully. I have instructed you thoroughly from long ago where the thought of God the Parent lies. It has already been explained. The present, appointed time is not the time to be making inquiries. This much said, you can surely understand.

Having received these words, all followers were reaching a firm resolve when, at about noon, Oyasama’s condition grew extremely critical. Now their resolve was firm. Shinnosuke said to them, “Only those should perform who are willing to risk their lives no matter what measures the police use to stop the Service.” Thus prepared, those who were to perform the Service put on two sets of underclothing and two pairs of tabi, in preparation for their arrest. Then at about one o’clock in the afternoon, the Service with the musical instruments included was begun boldly. The performers were: Singers—Tokichi Izumita, Narazo Hirano; Kagura—Shinnosuke, Kikutaro Maegawa, Masajin Iburi, Risaburo Yamamoto, Naokichi Takai, Isaburo Masui, Chusaku Tsuji, Chuzaburo Koda, Iso Ueda, Yonosuke Okada; Teodori—Yonosuke Shimizu, Risaburo Yamamoto, Naokichi Takai, Isaburo Masui, Chusaku Tsuji, Yonosuke Okada; musical instruments—koto, Tamae Nakayama; shamisen, Yoshie Iburi; tsuzumi, Kiyoshi Hashimoto.

Tamae, just a child then, who had been told by Shinnosuke to take part in the Service that day, also performed. Those assigned to the management of the Residence were Shirobei Umetani, Shobei Masuno, and Matsujiro Kajimoto. There was a total of nineteen people.

The Service was performed with the Kanrodai at center. A great number of worshipers had assembled at the time of the Service that day. It is said that their number swelled to several thousand and the bamboo placed as a fence on the south and east sides of the Place for the Service to keep the worshipers back was finally smashed to bits. The Service was begun at about one o’clock that day but not a single police officer came. Thus, the Service was performed without mishap, which to the followers was a miracle indeed.

However, just when the last line of Song Twelve, “all the members of carpenters have assembled,” was ending, Oyasama, who had been listening to the cheerful sounds of the musical instruments contentedly, showed a slight change. Hisa, who was close by, asked, “Do You wish some water?” Oyasama gave a faint reply,

Um.

When the water was offered to Her, She took three sips. Then, to the query, “Grandmother?” there was no reply. Not having changed Her position, Her head was to the north and Her face to the west; Oyasama lay quietly, with one hand resting against Hisa’s breast and the other upon Her own, as if peacefully asleep. Hisa, greatly alarmed, called out loudly: “Is there anyone around? Please go call Shinnosuke quickly.” Informed, Shinnosuke came running immediately. Tamae and Omasa followed, running.

When Tamae arrived, Shinnosuke shouted, “Tamae, come quickly.”

Tamae had misgivings about his shouting when Grandmother was asleep. Then she was told by Hisa, who was beside Oyasama, “Dear, Grandmother has come to this.” Leading Tamae’s hand to Oyasama’s face, Hisa continued, “Cold, isn’t She? Grandmother isn’t speaking any more.” After being told this, Tamae understood for the first time and burst into tears. Shinnosuke comforted her, telling her not to cry, and then relayed the news to everyone immediately.

The Service safely completed, the elated performers were returning from the place of the Kanrodai, when they heard the news. They cried out pathetically in a single voice, filled with deep sadness. Utter silence followed; not even a cough was heard.

Oyasama had withdrawn from physical life at the same time the Service had ended, at about two o’clock in the afternoon, as if asleep. She was in Her ninetieth year.

Her followers felt as if the very ground on which they stood had crumbled away, as if the sun and the moon had ceased to shine, as if the world were enveloped in darkness. Separated from their true Parent, whom they had adored and yearned after for so many years and held irreplaceable in their hearts, they cried sorrowfully as if their very bodies and minds would melt away. Furthermore, having always been taught that the life span is one hundred and fifteen years, the followers believed that, while others might not, Oyasama Herself would surely live to be one hundred and fifteen. This, they firmly believed themselves and taught to others as well. Moreover, since the Service was performed that day, they were buoyed in high spirits and confident that divine protection would surely be received. Now, however, they fell into a state of utter shock and despair. Everyone did nothing but cry, their heads bowed, without even the strength to speak. Then, realizing that nothing would come from this, they regained their senses and made an inquiry for divine directions through Izo Iburi on the second floor of the storehouse. The following words came:

Sah, sah, I shall level the ground. Has everyone assembled, has everyone assembled? Listen and understand well. All that I have said until now was put into a container of truth. But now God has opened the portals and stepped out. Because of My love for you, My children, the Parent shortened Her life by twenty-five years to step out and save the world from now. Observe well. Observe well what the path has been and what the path will become. When I asked whether I should open the portals or keep them closed to level the ground, you answered, “Please open the portals and level the ground.” I have done as you wished. Sah, there was a thing I had intended to give to My children but I was not able. I shall bestow this truth on you step by step hereafter. Remember this well.

Import: Now I shall begin to make the ground of this world level. What I have said thus far was put into a container of truth. But now at last, God the Parent has stepped out through the opened portals of the Shrine. Everything will change. All because the children are so dear, to enhance their spiritual growth, I have cut short the twenty-five years of life that was to be, resulting in the sudden withdrawal. At last, from now on I shall hurry about the world to save humankind. Watch carefully. Observe well how things will change from what they are. Yesterday, when I asked whether I should open the portals and level the ground or close the portals and level the ground, didn’t you answer, “Please open the portals and level the ground”? God the Parent has answered precisely in accordance with your request. I had wanted to give gifts to My children, but I was not able to. From now into the future, I shall gradually bestow the Grants.

Upon hearing this explanation, everyone was struck with regret, but what was said yesterday could not be taken back today. When the reply was given to God yesterday, no one had the slightest notion that it meant Oyasama would withdraw. But when it was further explained that even after Oyasama had withdrawn from physical life, She remains alive in spirit and continues to work, the followers finally found solace in the realization: “Of course. That is the way it is. Oyasama will work for the salvation of all humankind just as She did before but without a physical body.”

Sah, sah, I am still living here. I have not gone anywhere, not gone anywhere. You must look at the path of daily life and ponder.
Osashizu, March 17, 1890

Oyasama, whose parental heart is dedicated solely to the salvation of all Her children, underwent every kind of difficulty and trial in high spirits to open a path of salvation for all humankind, and, in order to hasten their spiritual growth, cut short Her own physical life by twenty-five years. But the heart of Tsukihi remains alive now and forever at the Residence of Origin, providing for the growth of all humankind to spiritual maturity. Indeed, the miracles of salvation which occur daily stand as proof of the continuing life and work of Oyasama.

To Tsukihi, all of you in the world are My children.
Love for you fills Me: this is My single heart.
Ofudesaki XVII:16

This is it.

On the day of the Oyasama Anniversary, let us firmly settle in this mind of Oyasama and let us also pledge the new beginning.

Thank you all for your kind attentention.

(Summary)

Happy New Year!

Thank you so much for exerting efforts for single-hearted salvation in the previous year by raising the awareness of being Oyasama’s instruments.

This year is the year of Oyasama’s 140th Anniversary.

So that we can savor joy and a sense of accomplishment through the progress you made during “three years, one thousand days,” let us continue all the way to the end to achieving the spiritual resolution(s) made, even if you may fall short from accomplishing.

Whether or not you are able to return to Jiba on the day of the Anniversary, let us be thankful for the parental love of the everliving Oyasama, and let us also pledge with each other to take on the task of universal salvation in high spirits and with big heart, just like how Oyasama withdrew from physical being to level the ground of the world on the lunar-calendar date of January 26, 1887.

Please allow me to ask for your continued support cheerfully and joyfully in unity of mind.

(Summary)

I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations for completing the last monthly service of the year with Rev. Katayama as the core.

Regarding the parental love of Oyasama, the following is in the Instruction Four:

“On the lunar-calendar date of January 26, 1887, Oyasama withdrew from physical life by shortening Her term of life in order to hasten the spiritual growth of all humankind, Her children. Yet, She remains everliving at the Residence of Origin, providing Her workings and guidance at the forefront of world salvation.”

To respond to Oyasama’s parental love, we have been exerting our efforts for the past three years to bring joy to Oyasama, aiming toward the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama, which will be observed on January 26, 2026.

The time goes by, and there is no end to its flow.

I became a head minister when I was 30 years old, and three years later, I observed the 90th Anniversary of Oyasama. This 140th Anniversary of Oyasama will be the sixth anniversary that I will have observed. It is a seasonable time to bring joy to Oyasama by making progress in our spiritual growth in unity of mind, aligning our minds with the Instruction Four that was announced for this Anniversary. The path to the Joyous Life, however, will continue endlessly, even after Oyasama’s 140th Anniversary.

Some of you may have achieved your spiritual resolutions, and some of you may still be trying, but we have one more month to work on the spiritual resolutions and grow spiritually to bring joy to God the Parent and Oyasama. I think this is a goal that we all share.

There is a Japanese idiom, “fueki ryuko,” which translates to “consistensy and change.” This is a concept Basho Matsuo acquired during his trip in “The Narrow Path to the North,” and it means that in order to be consistent, change is necessary, and in order to change, one cannot ignore consistency—the root is the same.

As we welcome the new year, I don’t think I am the only one who feels the breath of life and the arrival of the beginning, praying many new buds to sprout on trees that showed no change until yesterday.

In the Instruction Four, it says:

“‘Buds sprout from knots,’ She encouraged those around Her by saying that whatever happens is God’s arrangement for guiding people to spiritual maturity.”

I hear that people in Japan this year are going through a difficult time because of the rice price surge. In the path of Oyasama’s Divine Model, after Oyasama became the Shrine of Tsukihi, She gave away everything in the Nakayama Family to “plunge into the depths of poverty.” After 16 years has passed, when Kokan informed Oyasama “there is no rice left in the house for tomorrow.” Oyasama said to Kokan, “In this world there are those who are suffering, unable to eat or even to swallow water despite food piled high at their bedsides. If we think of them, how blessed we are, for when we drink water, it tastes of water. God the Parent has blessed us with exquisite gifts. However wretched you may be, never say you are wretched. For I shall never make beggars of you.” Oayasama gave warm words of encouragement and went through such circumstances with the mind of joyous acceptance.

Also in the Instruction Four, we read:

“‘When you drink water, it tastes of water.’ She taught us to always feel a sense of gratitude for the boundless blessing of God the Parent in any situation as we walk the path,” and I am very grateful for this.

After the war, my family of six had no place to go in the scorched wasteland of Hiroshima, so we lived for several years in my father’s friend’s cattle shed. Our meals were barley, daikon radish, and sweet potato porridge every day. Several years later, when I spent New Year’s at a relative’s house, I was able to have white rice for the first time, I still remember feeling thrilled as a child, thinking, “Wow, I get to eat silver rice!”

I became life-threatening ill when I was in college but made a full recovery. After being told by the doctor, “You were miraculously saved by god in heaven,” I decided to quit college and made a resolution to follow the path.

While my wife and I were serving at Honjima Grand Church as live-in staff, we wanted to experience the Divine Model of Oyasama, even if only a little. So, with the permission from the 3rd grand church head minister, Rev. Toshitsugu Katayama, my wife and I set out to conduct missionary work away from our own church. At the time, I was 27 years old, and my wife was 24.

Both my wife and I were still beginners in the faith. We had only just learned the “Sacred Names given to the Ten Aspects of the Complete Providence” and the “Eight Dusts,” and even while relying on Oyasama’s Divine Model, we really didn’t know how we should convey the teachings to others. With that, we got off at Nakatsu Station.

We immediately thought about going out to spread the fragrance of the teachings, but since we were in an unfamiliar place with nowhere in particular to go, we asked a passerby to tell us where a nearby Shinto shrine was. We climbed the steps, looked out over the town below, and while talking about where we should begin our efforts, we eventually said, “It’s already late, so let’s sleep at this shrine tonight and begin our missionary work tomorrow.” Just then, we heard rustling sounds and sensed someone’s presence, which made us feel uneasy, so we decided to leave the shrine and walked along a road in the village. That was when a woman called out to us, saying, “You don’t look like people from around here. Do you have some business here?” We answered, “We are Tenrikyo missionaries. We just arrived here, but we have nowhere to stay and don’t know where to go.” She kindly replied, “That must be inconvenient. If you’d like, you may use the storage shed at my house,” and thus a place to sleep was settled. We truly felt the wondrous workings of God the Parent and Oyasama.

The next morning, the two of us immediately went out to spread the fragrance of the teachings. I said, “from today, I’m going to fast,” and my wife replied, “then I will, too.” However, by the next day, she broke out in a cold sweat and was crouching down in exhaustion. I wondered if perhaps she might be pregnant, so I bought her a snack bread and had her eat it. This still remains a dear and nostalgic memory for me.

As we continued walking from place to place spreading the teachings, we eventually came to what looked like an elderly care facility. There we met an elderly person who had been bedridden for a long time. When we administered the Sazuke, the smell of excrement and urine was terrible, as if the bedding had not been washed for many days, and the room was filthy, so we were allowed to clean it as well. However, the stench was so overwhelming that at one point my wife couldn’t bear it and had to step outside.

Perhaps out of concern for my wife and me, as we were spreading the fragrance of the teachings without much experience or understanding, Rev. Toshitsugu Katayama sent us a letter asking us to return, and so we resumed our service at the grand church as live-in staff. As we had made a firm resolution to follow the path, we were filled with enthusiasm to tackle any task that was presented to us, hoping to experience even 1/10,000 of Oyasama’s Divine Model.

After completing our service as live-in staff, we received an appointment from Rev. Katayama to become the successor of the N.C. Church based in California, and we moved into the church to begin our life there.

I was embarrassed by doing missionary work; I didn’t fully understand the teachings and above that, conveying them in English was difficult for me. I was turned down and was yelled at, “Be quiet! Get out of here!” I was also told by zealous Christians who chased me down to convert me saying, “Your religion is a cult. Hurry up and open your eyes. You must believe in Christ.” To those people, I couldn’t say anything and I just continued to walk.

At one house, a dog barked at me and even bit my leg. Each time, I composed myself again and continued missionary work, but I wasn’t able to convince anyone with the teachings. At that point, I was so done with it. The internal hesitation and conflict within me continued and I was on the edge into depression.

At that time, I was inspired by the words of God:

Always ridiculed and slandered,
Still I will realize remarkable salvation. (Mikagura-uta, III:5)

Do not grieve over whatever path you are now on.
Take delight in the main path that lies ahead. (Ofudesaki III:37)

In the Instruction Four, we are taught,

“‘Through saving others, you will be saved.’ Oyasama taught that, if we remain singly focused on working for the salvation of others, our minds will gradually become purified without us even realizing it and will allow us to be saved and be filled with joy and brightness.”

At the time of the 100th Anniversary of Oyasama, I had some troubles brought upon myself due to a large debt that I had taken on. In order to experience even a little of the Divine Model of Oyasama, I made a spiritual resolution to quit drinking and smoking.

In the past, the Shinbashira gave us these words in his Spring Grand Service sermon.

It goes without saying that the purpose of studying the teachings is not merely to know them but actually to implement them. We study the teachings to internalize them so that we can live each day in a manner based on the teachings. It is far from easy to become single-hearted with God or to come into complete accord with God the Parent’s intention. Nevertheless, our work toward achieving spiritual growth entails seeking the heart of the Parent constantly and making repeated efforts to near God’s intention.

Unless we are careful, we humans can get caught up in our self-centered imaginations, lose sight of the Parent, and even turn our backs on the Parent. In all matters, therefore, we should make a point of seeking God the Parent’s intention and asking ourselves what Oyasama would do in any given situation; we should always ponder and act in light of the Divine Model as well as of the teachings, which should serve as the yardstick.

This will shape whether or not the decisions and choices we make at important junctures such as life’s crossroads and turning points are in accordance with God’s intention. I believe that we will certainly find ourselves enabled to know which direction to take if we purify our mind and seek out the path to accord with the divine intention based on the teachings.

Living as we do in this day and age, I am sure we sometimes face dilemmas and difficult decisions that our predecessors never had to deal with. At such times, we can base our ponderings on the following Divine Direction:

Sah, sah, because Tsukihi exists, the world exists. Because the world exists, things exist. Because things exist, your bodies exist. Because your bodies exist, law exists. Although the law exists, to resolve your minds is primary. Osashizu, January 13, 1887

For the 110th Anniversary of Oyasama, I made the spiritual resolution to return to Jiba every month from America and continued for 12 years. As I contemplated “What is the pilgrimage to Jiba?” I struck upon the idea to conducting water purification and then dancing the Twelve Songs of the Service in front of Oyasama’s gravesite for a year. Summer is fine, but the pain from water purifications in the middle of winter were so intense that it felt like I was having my flesh cut open.

Although I am still inexperienced, I went through these, hoping to experience even a little of the Oyasama’s hardships, and after visiting the Foundress’s Hall, a deep sense of gratitude for being guided back to Jiba welled up within me. At that point, I felt I was able to find the answers that addressed my various worries. I don’t know exactly what is, but when I sit alone before Oyasama, it strangely removes many of my anxieties. My heart becomes calm and peaceful, and I feel like I receive energy.

Furthermore, I was doing hinokishin like pulling weeds at church headquarters, Honjima Grand Church, and the followers’ dormitory, as well as doing missionary work during the day.

I shall let you work by the truth of you mind. One person can face myriads solely by virtue of the mind. God rides on the mind and works. As long as the mind is firm, God will ride the mind and work freely and unlimitedly.
(Osashizu: October 2, 1898)

In 1881, when the stone for the Kanrodai was being transported from Takimoto Village, the cart stopped moving when it reached the gate of the Residence. At the very moment, Oyasama appeared from Her room and shouted, “Yoisho!” and upon hearing Her voice, everyone pushed together with all their might and the cart rolled in easily. Everyone was deeply moved by Oyasama’s solemn and inspiring presence at that time, as described from Story 82 of the Anecdotes of Oyasama, “Yoisho!”

This is an episode that allows us to vividly picture the scenes of those days. Especially during this particular season, as we approach the Anniversary of Oyasama, the divine image of Oyasama should provide every Yoboku the courage to take that next step in every aspect of our lives. At this very moment, regardless of whether we are consciously aware of it or not, Oyasama is calling out to our hearts with a powerful and encouraging “Yoisho! (Heave-ho!).”

Let us make a mutual pledge to bring as many people as possible back to Jiba, and let us go through each day relying on the Divine Model of Oyasama.

Thank you for your kind attention.

(Summary)

I use a handmade cushion during morning and evening services. It is because I hurt my knee from getting too excited at the time of the previous Shidokai Besseki Group Pilgrimage. Ever since then, it goes back and forth between getting better and getting painful. There were times when I was not able to be in high spirits as the recovery is taking time.

In the beginning of the Instruction Four, the Shinbashira states, “in the hope that they will serve to unite the minds of all followers,” and he concludes with “take firm steps forward on the path of world salvation in unity of mind.” Therefore, I see “unity of mind” as an important task for “three years, one thousand days.”

In such times, a Honbu-in reverend approached and asked me “Kanta, do you have a minute? Can I administer the Sazuke for you?” as the reverend saw me having difficult time standing up and sitting down at the Main Sanctuary. Then he administered the Sazuke to me at the South Worship Hall.

The message I received at this time deeply resonated with me. He said, “When it comes to bending and straightening the knee, when it bends, there is a team of muscles that works hard to make it happen. During this time, the team of muscles that helps to straighten the knee actually holds off from doing anything. And to the opposite, when straightening the knee, the straightening team of muscles works hard while the bending team takes a rest. Based on this continuous movement between bending and straightening, you can say that the knee represents the harmony between proactive effort and passive nurturing.”

The reverend continued by asking, “Do you know what is key to achieve this?” His answer was “You must get along nicely.” He said, “If one team does not get along with the other team then it will fail to be in sync. We fail to achieve a united front.” His words of spiritual guidance sent shockwaves to my heart.

I realized that the idea of “respecting and helping one another” involves knowing when to move forward, but also when to step back and watch over others. I understood that in order for us to become truly united in mind, we must work together in harmony. Since then, I have reached a point where I can find joy even in the ailment of my knee.

The Shinbashira’s thoughts and intentions are embodied within the Instruction Four. Therefore, as we approach the anniversary, let us use the Instruction Four as my guide as I continue to advance my spiritual growth.

(Summary)

A bitter winter season is coming up. In the Anecdotes of Oyasama, there are anecdotes that severe cold of winter is depicted, such as Rev. Rin Masui’s “A Snowy Day” and Rev. Tokichi Izumita’s “Smoothed Out Gently.” But among such stories of our predecessors who endured hardships in the cold winter, the story of Oyasama’s last imprisonment at Ichinomoto Police Station in 1886, when Oyasama was 89 years old, touches our hearts the most. Please allow me to read a few pages.

*Read pages 205 to 211 of The Life of Oyasama, Foundress of Tenrikyo, Chapter Nine “The Hardships of Oyasama.”

The reason Oyasama went through the hardships of being taken into custody at the police station was none other than from Her desire to have us human beings lead the Joyous Life as soon as possible. In order to realize this goal, the completion of the Service was indispensable, but when people performed the service, it led to the police to come and take Oyasama into custody.

The Chapter Ten of The Life of Oyasama, Foundress of Tenrikyo, “The Portals Opened,” illustrates Oyasama, Who desired to save the world by completing the Service even a day sooner, and the anguish and inner conflict of the early followers who, out of their concerns for Oyasama’s safety and well-being, could not perform the Service. Further, the Divine Model of Oyasama up to January 26, 1887, the day when Oyasama shortened Her term of life to open the portals to step out and level the ground, saying, “the Parent shortened Her life by twenty-five years to step out and save the world from now,” is described as well.

We are able to spend each day without inconvenience and continue to practice our faith without interference from the authorities or slander from the public. This is thanks to the hardships endured by Oyasama, the anguish and struggles of our predecessors, and the predecessors of the path who have continued the faith to this day, as recorded in the Life of Oyasama.

Oyasama’s 140th pre-anniversary activities, which began with the announcement of the Instruction Four by the Shinbashira, are now down to just two months.

In the Instruction Four, the Shinbashira states, “The period of ‘three years, one thousand days’ that leads up to an anniversary of Oyasama is a time for us to actively move forward on the path of single-hearted salvation by implementing the teachings with our sights set on the Divine Model.” As we have been carrying out our pre-anniversary activities over the past three years or so, I believe each of us has made the spiritual resolution to follow even 1/10,000 of the path of the Divine Model.

There is only a short time left in the pre-anniversary activity period. This month we will be holding the Shidokai Beseki Group Pilgrimage, and I believe that many people will return next year for the Oyasama’s 140th anniversary. One thing we would like to keep in mind during this time is to “return to Jiba'” as well as “sowing the seeds of sincerity at Jiba.”

This is a personal matter, but starting in April eight years ago, I served for about one year as a one-year-term instructor at the Spiritual Development Course at Church Headquarters.

This happened when I was talking with one of the homeroom instructors I met at that time. Without thinking too deeply, I casually said something like, “If we return to Jiba, we will receive the blessings.” But the instructor corrected me, saying, “That’s not correct. Jiba is a place to serve, to make effort in carrying out our duties, and to sow seeds of sincerity. Many people misunderstand this.”

At the time, I didn’t really understand what that meant, but looking back now, I realize it was a lesson with a profound meaning.

Jiba is the place where God the Parent first began the world and created human beings. It is also where the sacred name of God the Parent, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, was bestowed, and where God resides. It is also the place where the Service for universal salvation is performed. When we make a pilgrimage back to Jiba, God the Parent and Oyasama will surely rejoice, saying, “Welcome home.” Even that alone is a great gift to take back with us.

However, what that instructor meant was that it is not enough just to make a pilgrimage to Jiba. Rather, we should take the opportunity to dedicate even one act of true sincerity there. I believe he was teaching me that this is what is essential in order for our hearts to be saved.

In the Mikagura-uta, we are taught,

As this Residence is the field of God, Every seed sown here will sprout.
(Mikagura-uta: Song Seven)

When you sow the seeds of sincerity at Jiba, and make efforts to return to Jiba, when those seeds that were planted will eventually sprout buds in the appropriate season and result in great blessings.

We are also taught in the Anecdotes of Oyasama,

“I am not sending you anywhere to learn, or inviting anyone to teach you. All things are to be learned in this Residence. There is nothing that can be learned from the world. Because it is first taught from this Residence, there is truth in what is learned.”
(Anecdotes of Oyasama: #53 From This Residence)

The Jiba is a place where there are many opportunities to learn the teachings, starting with the Basic Course, the Spiritual Development Course, the Minister Qualification Courses, and Tenri Seminary School is also located in Tenri.

In the Spiritual Development Course, it is always taught that “This (Jiba) is where you learn the way to live the Joyous Life.” And in the Junior Seminary and the Graduate Seminary, the teachings are taught more in depth.

Jiba is a place where those who have studied there, those who have sown their seeds of sincerity there, return to their own districts and locales to practice living the Joyous Life. These people also invite as many people as possible to return to Jiba so that they may learn the teachings of the Path and how to live the Joyous Life.

There are two months left till the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama and the activities leading up to it are reaching their climax. Along with talking to more people and bringing them back to Jiba, it is also important to invite people who will sow seeds of sincerity in Jiba and others who will study there.

In order to invite people without missing the seasonable time, I pledge to do my best to conduct my anniversary activities while always keeping the aforementioned in mind, so that I can have many people return to Jiba on the day of the 140th Anniversary and bring joy to Oyasama. With this, I would like to close my talk for today.