April 2026 Voice of the Divine Parent
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
Vol. 26# 4
Grandma Carrying a Bag - Rev. Mitsuo Tamai
Faith Born of Necessity
- continued from March
I was unfilial and could not be by my parents’ deathbed. After my parents passed away, I came to regard Rev. Jiro Kataoka, the third-generation head minister of the Saizaki Church, as a parent and mentor. Rev. Jiro Kataoka treated me with affection and took me under his wing. Through his own experiences, he would guide me in challenging moments, saying, “You’re dealing with this type of situation. Therefore, Konko Daijin is teaching you to have this kind of heart.” I believe his guidance helped establish the foundation of my current faith. It has now been more than ten years since my parent minister passed away. Having lost my mentor, I felt utterly alone and depressed.
After his passing, I was in a daze, but by a sudden, unexpected turn, I regained my energy, and I realized, "Even if my mentor has died, he is still my mentor; there is no boundary between a mentor and a disciple in life or death." Even now I realize that I am with my mentor. This is why I am now energetic and striving forward the best I can.
One of the first things my parent minister taught me was this: “When you return to the church, do not think, ‘I will lead believers or teach faith, or anything of that sort. Instead, in the setting of the church, you should devote yourself wholeheartedly to your own spiritual practice. Never think, ‘I will teach faith, guide others, increase the number of believers, enlarge the church.’” I have followed that teaching faithfully.
And I soon made many companions. In the early days, no one would come to pray, and the main hall lacked basic churchlike features, but before long the straw mats in the main hall were replaced with tatami mats, the ceiling was installed, and everything began to take shape. By following my mentor’s teaching, the main hall was filled with my fellow companions.
Today, many people have come to visit the church, and I have made countless companions. At present, I am truly happy every day in my faith—so happy I can hardly contain it. It is a joy beyond words. Because I am in harmony with those companions, there are people who come from distant places as well as from the neighborhood; yet the fact that everyone's hearts are connected is incredibly reassuring. And because Kami takes responsibility for living alongside us, there could be no greater blessing.
One of the teachings my mentor drilled into me comes from the scriptures Gorikai III, Kyōgōroku-3: “Kami is a parent. People are children. Parents’ affection for their children will not change no matter what. The Parent Kami loves people very much.”
What we must clearly understand is that our faith is a parent-child relationship between Kami and people, bound by parental love. It is not connected by logic or theory. It is clearly taught here: “Kami is the parent, people are Kami’s children, and the parent-child bond does not change.” We are connected to Kami by affection and live in a world defined by affection.
Generally speaking, the word “affection” refers to the inner response we have toward the world around us. Words such as compassion, poignancy, and intensity may come to mind; however, the aspect of reason or logic is an embedded meaning within the word “affection.” This refers to the fundamental principles of the universe; it is the natural order of things. The founder’s teaching expressed that in this world of compassion, we are able to internalize, or rather have acquired, the fundamental principles of the universe through the affection between ourselves (children of Kami) and Kami. To reach the founder’s heart, we cannot simply interpret the teachings theoretically, but must understand the deeper spiritual meanings.
When receiving the teachings, I would like you to draw out the heart of Kami and the founder, receive them for yourself, and utilize them as the foundation of your faith. If we only interpret the words, we will forget the significance embedded within them, and may limit ourselves with establishing theories. Please be cognizant of this mindset.
In short, the founder’s mediation fully conveys this information, and those words constitute the founder’s teaching and faith. At the mediation seat, we must perform the duties that embody this harmony of affection and reason. For that reason, although the founder has passed away and is no longer physically present, if you wish to meet the founder, you should firmly receive the intentions of the teachings for the present day and strive to perform mediation with utmost affection and reason.
Since we are human beings, we cannot see Kami’s form. From my perspective, Kami has taken on the form of our parents, seniors, and mentors, guiding us so that Kami can be understood by us. For that reason, we are surrounded by our seniors, mentors, and teachers; I believe these individuals represent Kami’s form to impart teachings directly.
There is a teaching that says people are ranked based on status or authority, but there is no hierarchy with Kami. In our society, there are seniors, those with more experience or higher status, and there are juniors, those with less experience or lower status. Kami has created this senior–junior relationship to nurture our faith. If you look around you, there are seniors, parents, and mentors who have already walked the path of faith before you. Use them as examples, let your faith grow accordingly, and reflect upon yourself. You will then find juniors following in your footsteps who will regard you as their mentor and teacher. I believe the simple phrase, “There is seniority among people,” contains the heart of the Founder who has a desire for seniors and juniors to support one another, for juniors to look up to their seniors as a guiding example, for seniors to lead the way for juniors, and to practice faith together to receive blessings.
Please treasure the teachings fully. Also, consider who your teacher is, who your mentor is, and who you regard as the mentor you feel is right for you. Find that person, and receive guidance from those seniors, mentors, and teachers, so that your faith may be nurtured, and you will truly have a faith that aligns with Kami’s heart.
A fellow believer of mine once said: “A mentor isn’t chosen by the mentor himself. Rather if a disciple simply says, ‘You are my master’ -then, just like that, he becomes one. There are some rather blunt people who say such things, but I truly believe that it is so.
I earnestly ask that you devote yourselves wholeheartedly to your faith. I hope that in this coming year you will discover the direction of your faith.
To be continued in the next issue.
Konko Daijin’s Teachings |
“When you get angry, the mirror of your heart becomes clouded”
So, let’s always keep the mirror of our heart clean. If you’re irritated, the mirror of your heart will become clouded. |
Tips for Keeping the Mirror of the Heart Clean
Pause with your breathing: take 2–3 deep breaths to settle your mind.
Acknowledge your emotions: put them into words like “I’m angry now” or “I’m irritated.”
Pause before you react: try waiting 10 seconds before saying anything.
Practice changing your perspective: reinterpreting your anger is a tool for self-awareness
Cultivate gratitude: recall five small things you’re grateful for to soften the heart.
Gentle self-talk: “Let’s calm down now. What matters is the health of my heart.” Speak to yourself kindly.
Quick Routine You Can Do Now (About 3 Minutes)
One-minute breathing: inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds. Repeat 4 times.
Three-line journal: write one line about the current situation, one line about the feelings you’re experiencing, and one line about the next action you’ll take.
One action choice: instead of reacting with anger, decide on one calm option, such as “I won’t speak now,” “I’ll step away from this moment,” or “I’ll check with the other person.”
Five-item gratitude list: name five things you’re grateful for today.
Journal Prompts (Practice)
What is the reason I’m angry right now?
What need is that anger signaling for me?
What is the best action I can take right now?
What can I learn from this experience?
To purify the mirror of the heart, what small action will I take tonight?
Bonus Words
Even if the mirror of the heart becomes cloudy, it will become clear again with daily care. Take your time and continue the conversation with yourself, little by little.
Don’t ever forget the longtime pain you have suffered and the divine blessings you have received. As long as you don't forget these two things, your illness won’t recur. Hereafter, when people come to you in pain, give prayers for them while recalling your own suffering and the divine blessings you have received. If you have a mindset that the troubles of others are of no concern to you because you are already cured, your illness will return. Keep receiving divine blessings with the heart you have now, then your illness won’t recur, and future generations of your family will also receive blessings.
(Gorikai I Ogihara Sugi 6-5, 6,7)
Exercises for the Mind/Heart/Spirit |
24 Before getting out of the car |
You've reached your destination. Offer thanks for your hard work behind the wheel. Were you able to drive safely and considerately? No matter how careful we are, it's really not surprising if something unexpected happens. Let’s take a moment to thank Kami for arriving safely without any breakdowns or accidents. Everyone in the car should express their gratitude together. |
Daily Renewal of the Heart Poem by Rev. Matsutaro Yasutake (Founder of Amagi Church) |
Put aside oneself and one’s home/family, For the sake of the spiritual Way, That is what true sincerity is. 身を忘れ 家を忘れて 道のため つくす心ぞ 真なるらむ |
I have been encouraged by this poem which has enabled me to continue walking my path to this very day.
After moving from the Portland Church to the Gardena Church, I have spent each day living with Kami and seeking salvation for all people. Especially in the early days after relocating, I often found myself thinking of my children and grandchildren, as well as the Portland Church and its believers, and I frequently felt the loneliness of being separated from my family.
At such times, I would recall Rev. Matsutaro Yasutake’s spiritual training while struggling between Kami’s will and his personal feelings, and I tried to receive that same spirit into my own heart. Due to this endeavor, rather than being bound by personal feelings, I have been able to persevere to this day by prioritizing Kami’s desire—to follow the Divine Will and to help bring salvation to people.
Now, let us reflect on the meaning of this poem together.
“For the sake of the Way”
“For the sake of the Way” means living for Kami’s desire—the desire expressed by Konko Daijin: “If people can be helped and saved, that alone is enough.”
If that divine wish can be brought into reality, then there will be no resentment even if one’s own concerns or family’s concerns are put aside.
The true form of service to Kami is to set one’s desires aside and wholeheartedly devote oneself to Kami’s wish. This poem is not simply encouraging self-sacrifice. Rather, it expresses a form of faith that values the divine will above personal feelings, and a spirit of service that prioritizes the salvation of others.
An aspect of particular importance
The phrase “put aside oneself and one’s home/family” should not be interpreted as an act of neglect, but understanding that personal conveniences should not be prioritized when acknowledging Kami’s will. In other words, it is not self-abandonment itself that is noble; rather, what is truly noble is the attitude of fulfilling Kami’s will above all else. That is what is meant by a “true” heart.
Concluding Sentence
This poem expresses that the true form of service to Kami lies in a heart that prioritizes Kami’s will which is the salvation of people and devotes oneself to fulfill this divine wish above personal needs or the concerns of one’s household.
By Rev. Nobuharu Uzunoe
Announcements from the Konko Church of Gardena
Morning Service, Cleanup, And Shintokai Meeting
On Sunday, March 29, we will be holding the April morning service at 9:00 a.m. After prayer, let us clean the inside and outside of the church. The Shinto-Kai meeting will be held after the cleanup. Everyone is welcome to join.
Chicken Curry Rice Sale
Please join us on Sunday, April 5 for the Chicken Curry Rice Sale. The curry will be served with potatoes and carrots with options of Mild or Medium Hot for $10. Order forms are available in the link below. The deadline to order is Monday, March 30. Thank you for your support!
Monthly Service & Barbecue Lunch
On Sunday, April 12, we will hold the April Monthly Service at 10:00 a.m. After the service, the Shinto-kai will host a barbecue lunch. Please see the flyer below for more information.
The Gardena Shintokai invites you to a family potluck BBQ on Sunday April 12 after the service. Let’s enjoy each other’s company as a Konko family. Shintokai will provide hamburgers, hot dogs and punch. We have volunteers for potato salad, corn, baked beans, fruit, dessert and homemade ice cream. We could use potato chips, ice, other beverages, paper goods, utensils, and anything you’d like to contribute. Thank you!
-Betty Hashimoto, Frances Hachiya, Maki Arakawa and Phil Yasuhara (BBQ committee)
Gardena Church Work Committee Study Group
GCWC will be held on Sunday, April 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Vote for Board of Directors
This is a friendly reminder to vote and return your ballot to the church via mail to reach the church by Saturday, April 11, or in person into the church ballot box by 10:00 am on Sunday, April 12. We need at least 10 ballots returned to have a quorum, so we appreciate all votes.
Announcements from the Konko Church of Los Angeles
Monthly Service
The Konko Church of Los Angeles’ April Monthly Service will be held jointly with Gardena Church on April 12, at 10:00 a.m., in front of the Mediation Hall. All families and individuals are warmly invited to attend.
Residence Roof Repairs
Los Angeles Church Repair Update — Roof repairs on the residence have been completed. Next, we will have a thorough cleaning of the church interior and exterior. We will announce the schedule as soon as it’s decided, and we kindly ask for volunteers to help. Future plans include painting the walls of the staff residence and replacing the floors. We’ll share updates step by step, and we appreciate your cooperation and prayers.
North America Research Information Center Activity Report
KCNA RIC Meeting
The Konko Church of North America Research Information Center held a two-day Research Meeting on March 21–22. Topics include the English translation of Rev. Fukushima’s Dictionary of Scriptural Terminology, a review of Rev. Fukuda’s missionary writings, and studies on Konko faith doctrine.
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