December 2025 Voice of the Divine Parent

Vol. 25# 12

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Rev. Mitsuo Tamai - Grandma Carrying a Bag - continued from November

Mediation and Mutual Interdependence

On November 15, 1859, Kami said to Bunji (Konko Daijin), "You, who sincerely believe in Kami with genuine and conscientious faith, please mediate to Kami for the people in the world who are struggling. By doing so, you can help others through your connections with them (People exist because of Kami, and Kami exists because of people). People turn their hearts to Kami through mediation, and Kami and people work together, supporting each other in harmony."

The story that follows is about a blessing received through mediation at a certain church.

In the summer of 1989, I was waiting for a young man who was coming from Tokyo by Shinkansen. This young man has been taking the bar exam since graduating from a university. As you may know, the bar exam consists of three stages and it is said to be the most difficult exam in Japan. He has been taking the first and second exams, but he continues to fail the second.

The night before, I received a call from his parents. They said, "Our son has failed again this year. We are having a family discussion. We are talking about how he has been trying repeatedly, but he is getting older, and if he is not going to succeed, perhaps he should consider other options." However, we are unable to decide on the path we should take. My son said, "I will go to Okayama. I want to express my feelings to the reverend and have him decide." When I asked, "If I tell you to quit, will you really quit?" He replied, "Yes, I will."

In the afternoon, he arrived, drenched in sweat. He said, "Reverend, this is the situation. We discussed it as a family, but we couldn't come to a conclusion. I don’t know what to do. If this is what Kami wants, then I will do it. I have made up my mind." It is particularly troubling to be left to make this decision. If I say to quit, he will quit.

He said, "I will do as you say," but that is the scariest part. I asked him, "Are you really going to do what I say?" He thought for a moment and replied, "I have some lingering feelings." I felt the heart of Kami in his words. He was thinking that he would try again for the next two or three years, and if he still couldn't make it, he would consider other options.

I prayed to Kami, saying, "He does not understand your heart and your encouraging words to keep trying and he continues to have lingering regrets.” Then I told the young man, "Cheer up and keep going. However, I will set a condition. If you say you will continue taking the exam, you must keep going until you pass." He responded, "I understand. I will do it." We made that promise in 1989.

In 1990, he failed the first exam, but he said, "I will continue because I promised the reverend." In 1991, he passed the first, second, and third exams. At the end of last year, he happily reported, "Reverend, I passed!"

He said, "For some reason, when I failed, I felt a surge of determination that 'I can do this.' That feeling is the reason I passed this year," he explained. I shared the teaching of Konko Daijin, which states, "This person’s path can be opened with a single umbrella," and I explained the meaning of that single umbrella to him.

He aspires to be a lawyer and should be able to make a living moving forward. When I asked him, "How many times have you taken the exam until now?", he quietly replied, "This is my thirteenth time." He will continue his practical studies as a trainee in Takamatsu, Shikoku. This is truly a blessing. As a member of my faith that has continued for three generations, I wish to watch over his growth.

To be continued in the next issue.

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Exercises for the Mind/Heart/Spirit

020 Buy items close to the expiration date

Many foods are displayed in stores. Do you look at the expiration date and buy the newest items first? Unsold items are quickly discarded and wasted. If you are going to eat something soon, why not buy the ones with the closest expiration date, as it would be a shame to waste Kami’s blessings.

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Daily Calendar

Day 10. “When you nourish the roots of a tree, even the branches thrive. By cherishing your ancestors and parents, they will help you prosper.”

“Our roots come from our parents and ancestors. By valuing our roots, we will be able to walk a secure path that will continue to our children, grandchildren, and future generations.”

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Konko Church of Gardena and Los Angeles Announcements

Monthly Service

On Sunday, December 14 at 10:00 a.m., we will be holding the Monthly Service at the Gardena Church Mediation Hall. There will also be a vote to approve the Gardena Church’s Bylaws after lunch. There will not be a morning service on December 7 due to the House of Delegate and Ministry Board of Review meetings.

Mochitsuki

The Mochi Pounding Event is back again. This free event will begin at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 21. Participants will pound steamed sticky rice with a mallet to make small rice cakes. Please bring your friends and family and take home freshly pounded rice cakes. For lunch, please enjoy a variety of rice cakes including bean paste, seaweed, sugar and soy sauce, and grated radish.

Year End Appreciation Service and Cleanup

We will be holding the appreciation service on Sunday, December 28 at 10:00 a.m. to recognize the blessings we received throughout the year, to express our gratitude for the blessings, and to apologize and make amends for our shortcomings. After the service, let us clean the inside and outside of the church.