Vol. 22 # 4
Base your gratitude on everything
The Fourth Konko-sama, Rev. Kagamitaro Konko is the one who taught and guided me from the time I was trained at the Headquarters up until his passing. This month, I would like to share the teachings I received from the Fourth Konko-sama. On one of my visits to Japan, I went to seek Mediation at the Konko Worship Hall from the Fourth Konko-sama. I said, "Konko-sama, I'm back now," Konko-sama said, "Yes, yes, welcome back." He always talked with me for more than an hour and I truly felt he treated me with preciousness.
He had something to teach me every time I went to seek Mediation . He taught me to “Base your gratitude on everything" and to give a “Thank you for everything that takes care of you” in your life.
Through the illness our Founder Konko Daijin experienced at age 42, Kami taught him, "People do not know the divine blessings, and because they believe they do everything under their own power, they are committing irreverence to Kami." We are living within divine blessings, within the workings of the Universe. Thus, we have life. Through this, the Founder showed and taught us to, “Thank everything that takes care of you" and "Our life is based on being grateful". The Fourth Konko-sama realized, and through his own personal experience, he handed down to everyone, the importance of having gratitude as a foundation in everything we do in our daily lives.
I would like to share the true story of a someone who received divine blessing through seeking Mediation from the Fourth Konko-sama.
A woman who was ill was told by the doctor that her pancreas was weak. During treatment, she was diagnosed with collagen disease. A large amount of medication was taken which started to work, but with very severe side effects. She was forced to choose and decide between taking her medication to slow down the progression of the disease or to stop taking the medicine and face her unavoidable fate.
While working on trying to get better, she decided to go worship at the Worship Hall and seek Mediation. The Fourth Konko-sama said, "Don't be swayed by the illness. People often give apologies first and then give appreciation. It’s important to not mix up the steps. The first step is to give appreciation for your life. One becomes ill because one has life. Then, the next step is to apologize. Don't put these in the wrong order. Say thank you even when you take a bath. Give appreciation for the bath and then pray to get rid of your tiredness. Make sure that you have the feeling that you are thankful when you enter and leave."
On my way home, I felt that I had a feeling of vigor that made me want to make a leap, so I decided to take this teaching as a lifelong treasure and try to stop taking the medicine and tried to practice giving more gratitude daily.
I tried to thank Kami for everything. I started to wake up hearing my own voice saying, "Thank you, Kami-sama!" several times. As I continued to pray and wish to be become a person who can thank Kami more and more, from the bottom of my heart, I was then finally able to be released from my captivity of my worries, anxiety, the negative thoughts of the severity of my illness. Of course, I can't let my guard down, thus I will continue to practice giving gratitude to Kami each and every day.
I think that Konko-sama's words, "Don't be captivated" and "Don't be swayed," can be said about anything. While you're captivated or imprisoned, you can't see anything else, you make yourself smaller and eventually resent your illness or problem and blame yourself or others.
“Through my illness, I realized the depth of Kami’s compassion and effort to help nurture me unconditionally. Thus, with the teaching I received from Konko-sama as the foundation of my devotion, I give appreciation for the life I have first. I also now understand that my illness lessened from understanding this teaching. I appreciate this as a gift from Kami. I think I will want to devote myself to follow this faith and help others from now on.”
Announcements From the Konko Church of Gardena
Morning Service, Cleanup, and Shinto-kai Meeting
The morning service will begin at 9:00 on April 3. After praying, let's clean up the inside and outside of the church together. After lunch, the Shinto-kai meeting will be held. Everyone is welcomed to attend.
April Sunday Service
The April Sunday Service will be held at 10 am on Sunday the 10th. The new Omicron strain of COVID-19 in Southern California had increased infections earlier this year, but news reports show that the number of infected people has been declining since last week. This Sunday service will be held in the Mediation Hall. The church hall and chairs will be completely disinfected. Those who worship should wear a mask, disinfect their hands, and maintain distance from other attendees. If you have a fever or cough, please refrain from attending and worship in your own home.
Konko Faith Doctrine Workshop (GCWC)
April 17 from 10am to 2pm, we will work on understanding entries of the Gorikai
Group Discussion of From Farmer to Founder
The first meeting of this group focused on Chapter 1 in the biography, From Farmer to Founder. Believers who were unfamiliar with the Founder’s early life were surprised to learn that so many of his children passed away. There was also discussion as to why so many of them had so many name changes. It was interesting to note that only the males received name changes.
As a child, the Founder was very pious. He had a sincere, thoughtful, and conscientious attitude from a young age. But where did he get that from? Must have been his parents. But then what about his siblings?
There was some speculation that the Founder was found by Kami at an early age. On the other hand, could it be that Kami had been looking for someone like the Founder for a long time? The Founder had been sick a lot as a child and had been reaching out to various deities throughout his life. Despite getting sick so often, he recovered every time. So maybe he felt as though there must have been something else out there. He never gave up.
What about the Days and Directions? If the Founder followed them fastidiously, why did he still suffer? Were his sufferings signs from Kami? Consider the fact that the Days and Directions are man-made tools and therefore human-centered. It’s human nature to find someone or something else to blame for one’s suffering. But the Founder looked within himself to see what he could have done differently. He remained humble and grateful.
The Founder created a home altar to Konjin – was this unusual? It’s not clear. Perhaps the Founder believed that Konjin is a deity and thus deserved to be revered. Or maybe in Okayama, many homes had Konjin altars. It’s also possible that Konjin was revered in the Founder’s birth home, so he grew up with that tradition. Although many homes did have altars to Konjin, most of them were meant to help avoid Konjin’s curse. The Founder, on the other hand, prayed for Konjin’s blessings and gave thanks to Konjin.
Please join us after service and lunch on Sunday, April 10, as we continue to discuss the biography of Konko Daijin. Participants will have an opportunity to ask follow-up questions about Chapter 1, followed by discussion of topics in Chapter 2. Please bring any questions, thoughts or ideas you may have. We look forward to another lively discussion!
A Prayer for Peace in Ukraine
In these difficult times for the Ukraine and the World, let us recite the Prayer for Peace.
Prayer for Peace Through our Divine Mediator to the Divine Parent of the Universe – Let us pray. As precious as our own lives are, So are the lives of all. You embrace us with Your blessings, Wanting us to help one another And live together in harmony. Yet, when Your wishes are ignored And selfish desires pursued, Tears spread across the world. Your heart pains as people suffer, Hurt by injustice, poverty, and war. | Please accept our apologies As we strive to change our ways, To reflect Your Love in all we do. The peace of the world Starts with peace in our hearts. Please grant us the courage and wisdom To see the goodness in all, To speak words of comfort and hope. Allow our actions to form a peaceful world Where each is respected and fulfilled. Through Your virtue and guidance We pray with hearts as one For all to live In peace and harmony, For all to live as one. |
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