August 2025 Voice of the Divine Parent

Vol. 25# 8

Jump to announcements

"Love your destiny and make the most of it," by Reverend Kametaro Nakayama, which you have been reading for the last few years, came to an end with last month's issue.

From the next issue, we will be bringing you "Grandma Carrying a Bag," a story about faith by Reverend Mitsuo Tamai.

We hope that this will be of use to you in your religious life.

Rev. Mitsuo Tamai - Grandma Carrying a Bag

Living with Kami 

The teachings of Konko Daijin that I would like to share with you all today are one of the things I treasure most.

"Divine virtues can be carried into the next life and remain with one's descendants. Anyone can receive divine virtue if they have faith. Divine virtue never runs out."

I think this is a teaching that you are all familiar with. I really like this teaching. It may be strange to like and dislike teachings, but you can't help it if you like them.

When I come across this teaching, I can picture the Founder's time, when he performed Mediation with worshippers. It is a teaching that is so vivid that you can not only see him, but you can even hear his voice at the time.

It is likely that in the Founder's time, people who came to worship would have said something like this.

"Konko-sama, no matter how much divine virtue you receive, or how noble your faith is, you cannot take the assets and treasures you have built up in this world with you to the afterlife. No matter how much you pray to Kami, it will be difficult."

In response, the Founder said,

"You say that, but that's not true. If you have faith, there is nothing that will not come true. There are things you can take with you to the afterlife. Moreover, you can leave them not only to yourself, but also to your descendants. This is what is called 'divine virtue' that you can obtain through faith."

The worshippers were surprised when they heard this and asked, "Is there such a thing? What exactly is it?" The Founder is said to have replied, "It is called 'divine virtue'."

When we hear the word 'divine virtue,' we too think it sounds difficult. The worshippers may have said, "Isn't it difficult to obtain divine virtue with faith like ours?"

But the Founder said, "No, anyone can receive divine virtue if they have faith."

I then responded, "If it's such a good thing, won't it disappear if you don't receive it quickly?" 

"No, it never runs out," he replied.

This teaching, which has been passed down, is really clear and easy to understand.

"Divine virtue is something that can be carried into the afterlife and left to descendants. Anyone can receive divine virtue if they have faith. It never runs out."

He teaches us this so clearly. Many of the Founder's teachings are originally clear, but I think this is one of the clearest.

I do not intend to explain this teaching. However, there is one thing I do not want you to misunderstand: what you can take to the afterlife and leave to your descendants is not "divine favor" but is "divine virtue." "Divine favor" and "divine virtue" are different.

We often say, "I received divine favor." And we think we have understood by saying, "That is a wonderful faith." This leads to misunderstanding the reality.

"Divine favor" is easy to accept. However, if you leave it as it is, it will disappear, as if something that Kami had pasted on you has peeled off.

On the other hand, "divine virtue" is not the same. It is something that permeates your body. That is why you can take it to the next life and leave it to your descendants.

Faith is not just for receiving "divine favor." If you have received "divine favor," it is important to hold that feeling of "gratitude" firmly in your heart and live your life based on that joy.

It is important to develop “divine favor” into divine virtue.

Cherish that feeling of gratitude, and work hard in your daily life and occupation. By doing so, the "divine favors” will change into divine virtue. To be precise, it will grow.  Divine virtue will seep into your mind and body, and will manifest itself in various ways through yourself, your family, and your work.

If you are just happy that you have been given something, you will eventually forget that "divine favor" you received. And it will just become a story of memories and boasting about the past. That would be a waste of your faith.

That is why today's teaching says:

"Based on the joy of having received divine favor, work hard in true faith and acquire divine virtue."

"Divine virtue" may sound difficult to understand, but the important thing is to have a heart of gratitude in your current faith, think about why you received these "divine favors," and live each day based on that realization.

If you do that, it will become divine virtue. It's not some pie in the sky story. Through your life of faith, you will acquire "divine virtue," and from there Kami's wishes will be revealed. And in time, this will grow into true divine virtue.

I believe that we must practice this type of faith.

Exercises for the Mind/Heart/Spirit

016 Give People What You Think is Best

When you bring food to the table, for example, try to put the portion you think is better at the other person’s seat. Put the burnt hamburger or salad with too many cores on your plate. The person who receives your thoughtfulness may then pass on the better portion to someone else on a different occasion. Be the first runner in the ‘Kindness Baton relay!’

Konko Church of Gardena and Los Angeles Announcements

Morning Service

On Sunday, August 3, we will be holding a morning prayer at 9:00 a.m. After praying, let us clean the inside and outside of the church. The Shinto-Kai meeting will follow the cleanup. If you are interested, please join us.

Monthly Service

On Sunday, August 10, we will be holding the Monthly service at 10:00 a.m.

Gardena Church Work Committee

GCWC will be held on August 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.