Vol. 23 # 12
Kami’s Perspective versus People’s Perspective of Mediation
One hundred and forty years have passed since the death of the founder, Konko Daijin. Through the mediation of Konko Daijin, Kami’s wish to save people was revealed. Although Konko Daijin’s physical form is no longer here, the workings of his Mediation will last forever. Kami is happy that the world and its people are being saved and the infinite path to manifest Kami’s work will continue to prosper even after Konko Daijin’s death.
Nevertheless, during mediation, there are times when the intention of mediation becomes unclear. This is because from a human perspective, mediation tends to be seen as a process in which a difficult situation is entrusted to the mediator who is relied upon to resolve the situation. People’s perspective is so tilted towards hardships that Kami ends up devoting energy into resolving human hardships by giving us boundless blessings. As a result, there is a danger that the purpose of mediation may be perceived as simply resolving human difficulties. The idea of ``troubled human beings'' also results in difficult situations. Furthermore, such a view of humanity seems to be due to the strong tendency to pray to Kami for only one's own affairs, the introspective way of faith, and the lack of connection between the believers.
 | In Konko faith, the workings of heaven and earth that keep all things alive and nurture are worshiped as Kami, and are called Divine Parent of the Universe. Then, the Kami asks the Konko Daijin to "help the parishioners who are having difficulties," and the intercession is to convey the wishes of the worshipers to the deity and to convey the wishes of the deity to the worshipers, just as those who are suffering from hardships will be able to help them. The person who began to devote himself to it was the Ikigami Konko Daijin, the founder of Konko faith. |
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Kami is the source of human life and work (function). Kami bestows infinite mercy on humans, and the relationship between Kami and people is one of ``Kami exists because of people and people exist because of Kami”. Therefore, all people are Kami’s beloved children.
Kami’s wish: Kami and humans are connected by the fundamental principle of their existence and function. However, people do not know this, go against it, and end up in trouble.
The act of ``Mediation'' was Kami’s request to Konko Daijin to bridge the gap between Kami’s desire to establish a sincere relationship and the fact that people are focused on their hardships.
At that time, Kami’s desire was to convey the fundamental principles mentioned above, while the desire of people was to resolve their difficulties. Therefore, mediation, which fills in the discrepancies and gaps, uses human difficulties as clues to convey Kami’s intended thoughts. Specifically, mediators listen to people's difficult situations, pray to Kami regarding the situations, and through understanding, convey Kami’s wishes and the way people should behave based on those wishes, which can pave the way to solving their difficulties.
In this way, mediation helps bring about the realization that Kami’s wishes reach people, people’s wishes reach Kami, and Kami’s wishes and people’s wishes stand together. This is the purpose of mediation. The fulfillment of both relationships, in which human hardships are found in line with Kami’s wishes, and Kami’s wishes are realized in human hardships, is how Kami and people can stand together.
If the goal of mediation is simply to resolve human difficulties, then no matter how thorough the mediation, it is just a way to fulfill human wishes, and the original purpose of mediation is trivialized. Rather, it must be confirmed that mediation is the fulfillment of both divine and human desires, and that both together are the fulfillment of mediation. This is the true purpose of mediation.
From now on, we will pray to Kami through the Mediation of Konko Daijin, and through Konko Daijin's Mediation, we will understand Kami's wishes, receive Kami's blessings, and live in harmony with Kami. By working with each other through mutual interdependence, we will realize the path of living together with Kami and people. It is our responsibility as people who have faith to do so. This effort must be passed on to families, descendants, people, and society. Let's live together with Kami and people and enjoy the process of helping each other.
Announcements from Gardena Church and Los Angeles Church
December Monthly Service
Due to a scheduling conflict, the December Monthly Service will be held on Sunday, December 3rd, at 10:00. Please be sure to note the change in date.
Mochi pounding event
December has already arrived! This year's mochi pounding event will begin at 8:00 a.m. on December 17. We also have an event where we pound rice cakes with a mallet, and we also make Ko-mochi and red
bean paste cakes. Please bring your children and grandchildren to join us. This event is hosted by the Shinto-kai. On the way home, you can take some freshly made mochi with you. For lunch, enjoy red bean paste mochi, seaweed-wrapped mochi, sugar/soy sauce mochi, and grated radish mochi. After the mochi pounding, everyone helps with clean up.
End of Year Appreciation Service and Cleaning
On Saturday December 30, we will have the End of Year Service at 10:00 a.m. After the service, let us polish our hearts by cleaning the inside and outside of the church together.
Letter from Konko Mission of Wailuku
Thank you very much:
The generous and compassionate heart you demonstrated with your kind donation fills us with gratitude and joy.
In this time of vulnerability, knowing that there are those who were ready to offer a helping hand truly gives some measure of peace of mind and hope for the future.
We will place all the offerings/donations received into a new account and after careful discussions with the affected parties we will dispense the funds by check so that a clear record of how and to whom the funds were dispensed will remain. Aloha!
Sincerely,
Rev. Hisayo Yasutake, Head Minister
Konko Mission of Wailuku
Announcements from the Konko Churches of North America
House of Delegates
This coming Saturday, December 9, 2023, the Konko Churches of North America, House of Delegates Meeting will be held at the Konko Church of Gardena from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Anyone can observe and ask questions at this meeting. However, they do not have the right to vote. This is your chance to find out what your churches in North America are planning for the future.
Ministry Board of Review
On Sunday, December 10, the 2023 KCNA Ministry Board of Review meeting will be held at the Konko Church of Gardena from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Again, believers can observe and ask questions. However, they do not have the right to vote.
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