Vol. 23 # 2
Let us think about the Konko faith while referencing the teachings of Konko Daijin.
Practice of faith
Konko Daijin related that we need to develop full spiritual awareness that we live in the midst of Kami’s blessings, and we need to try to direct our hearts to Kami whenever and wherever we might be, as has been depicted in the quoted teachings below:
“Practicing faith means you direct your heart toward Kami. Though you are surrounded by divine virtue, you won’t receive blessings unless you have faith.” [GI: Ichimura, Mitsugoro Vol. 1: 10.1]
“Going to worship Kami only to give requests is not practicing faith. You can often times practice faith without worshipping Kami at a hiromae.” [GI: Yamamoto, Sadajiro: 28.3]
Konko Daijin emphasized the importance of developing our hearts in practicing faith as has been shown in the following messages.
“Whether or not you receive divine blessings depends on your heart. Reform your heart, then you can reap infinite divine blessings.” [GII: Aoyama, Kin’emon: 3.1]
“We believe in the Parent Kami of the Universe. We should develop a heart as broad as the Universe.” [GIII: Jinkyu Kyogoroku/ed. Kataoka, Jiro: 8.1]
“If people lose their belief in, ‘On this very day pray with a single heart. Divine blessings are within your own heart,’ the world will be in turmoil. The glory of Kami and the glory of parents will be gone.” [GI: Ichimura, Mitsugoro Vol.1: 11.1]
Konko Daijin also referred to the spiritual eye to identify the truth in the following messages.
“If you follow the Konko Faith, you should cast aside your physical eyes and open and see through your spiritual eyes.” [GIII: Shinkun/ed.Konkokyo Honbu:P2:8]
“You must polish the gem in your heart while practicing faith.” [GIII: Shinkun/ed.Konkokyo Honbu:P2: 21]
“‘Now, hear the sound of Tenchi opening, and be awakened,’ said Konko-Sama.” [GII: Kunieda, Sangoro: 12.1]
In regard to our attitude in practicing the Konko faith, Konko Daijin stated as follows:
“Practicing faith on your own won’t bring divine blessings. But practicing faith with the support of Kami will.” [GI: Shimamura, Hachitaro: 39.1]
“He who believes in Kami receives pleasure in everything he does. Serving at the hiromae is a pleasure, merchandising and farming are also pleasures. Everyone between Heaven and Earth is delightfully and gratefully receiving pleasures.” [GII: Kondo, Fujimori: 22.1]
Konko Daijin strongly believed in the expression “Shinjin ni naru” rather than “Shinjin suru.” The spirituality of “Shinjin suru” implies practicing faith only for personal gains and benefits, without being aware of Kami’s wishes and will. While the spirituality of “Shinjin ni naru” implies a person’s action reflects Kami’s wishes and will. Konko Daijin clarified the importance of maintaining a life in directing one’s heart to Kami in the following message.
“The word shinjin (faith) is not written with the kanji characters for belief and heart. I write it with the kanji characters for kami and man.” [GI: Kondo, Fujimori: 66.1]
Konko Daijin identified that an important goal of the faith is to become a person of “Shinjin,” which stands for “Kami and man” or the unification of Kami and man.
Faith Practice and Divine Blessings
Konko Daijin related the relationship between faith practice and divine blessings as follows:
“Even if you don’t practice faith, you have already received His divine blessings.” [GI: Ichimura, Mitsugoro Vol. 1: 2.1]
In this manner, Konko Daijin pointed out that Tenchi Kane No Kami bestows universal blessings to all of humanity.
Konko Daijin stated there are blessings we can enjoy through our practice of faith:
“People Talk about great blessings, but blessings are merely the shadows cast by the sincerity of each person. Therefore, if you show great sincerity towards Kami, you can receive great blessings. You cannot receive great divine blessings with little sincerity. The shadow cast by sincerity will follow the shape of sincerity.” [GIII: Jinkyu Kyogoroku/ed. Kataoka, Jiro: 21.1]
Konko Daijin pointed out that it is the way a person directs his or her heart to Kami that defines the scope of blessings a person can enjoy.
The blessings we wish to acquire may include guidance to issues such as family welfare, recovery of illnesses, and family prosperity. These were crucial issues for those who came to seek mediation. Konko Daijin also responded that they would receive blessings for their concerns. Besides the tangible blessings people want for their personal concerns, Konko Daijin reminded them that there are other types of divine blessings which can be appreciated only through their spiritual eye. There are numerous blessings, however, that we do not realize even while practicing faith. These are the blessings that we are able to realize the more we practice faith and open our spiritual eyes.
“When practicing faith, there are more blessings which cannot be seen than those which can be seen. The blessings you unknowingly receive number more than the blessings you knowingly receive. If you think about it, you will come to realize the many divine blessings that you have received.” [GII:Tsugawa, Haruo:14.1]
The blessings Kami grants us can go beyond the scope of human perception. By seeking faith, Konko Daijin was able to identify such blessings.
“Divine blessings are not limited to just having one's wishes granted. For some people, death is a divine blessing. Others are saved from death through divine blessings. Since everything in this world is governed by Kami, people should always depend on the Parent Kami.” [GIII:Jinkyu Kyogoroku/ed. Kataoka, Jiro:35.1]
To one of the worshippers, Konko Daijin shared his vision of actualizing his global aspirations in the following message:
“While you concern yourself with only trivial things, I am aspiring for blessings which will completely embrace the world with Faith.” [GII: Kunieda, Sangoro: 11.1]
Konko Daijin also shared his thoughts about the intangible nature of divine blessings as has been shown in the following messages.
“Be single-hearted and practice faith with a true heart. You will be blessed with virtue, he said.” [GII: Fujii, Kichi: 2.1]
“Faith is without a goal. This means there are endless goals to attain.” [GI: Ichimura, Mitsugoro Vol.1: 9.1]
When we practice faith, our goal is not to achieve or accomplish any specific objective we may have. By seeking a faith-oriented lifestyle, we acquire divine virtue naturally. A life that is always with Kami is a way of seeking faith full of joy and gratefulness. Thus, Konko Daijin showed us that there would be no limit to the extent of the blessings we can enjoy and the depth of the faith that we can pursue.
Announcements From the Konko Church of Gardena
Morning Service, Cleanup, Setsubun, and Shinto-kai Meeting
The morning service will begin at 9:00 a.m. on February 5. After praying, let us clean the inside and outside of the church together. After cleaning, we will hold the annual Setsubun event. Setsubun means "separating the seasons." This involves throwing beans at demons while shouting at them to get out. This ritual was held to drive away the bad fortune from the previous year and the evil spirits in the coming year. Lunch will consist of eating the traditional Ehomaki while facing south-southeast.
After lunch, the Shinto-kai meeting will be held. Everyone is welcome to attend.
February Monthly Service
The February Monthly Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, February 12. 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.
Group Discussion of From Farmer to Founder
Are you interested in learning more about the life of our Founder, Konko Daijin? Are you reading the new biography of his life, but have questions or thoughts? Please join us for a study group that will discuss this new book, From Farmer to Founder, chapter by chapter. After the February Monthly Service and lunch, there will be a brief kick off for the group where you can pick up a copy of the book and learn more information. Thereafter, the group will meet for about an hour after the monthly service and lunch.
This informal group will be facilitated by Irene Graff and Debbie Hamano. Rev. Uzunoe will be present to answer questions and clarify the life experiences of Konko Daijin. Participants are encouraged to bring any questions they have along with thoughts and impressions for discussion. Everyone is welcome to attend the group discussion. Please feel free to invite non-members, family and friends, or members from other churches to attend. If you have any questions about the group, please email Irene at imgraff@yahoo.com. Look forward to seeing you there!
KCNA Southern California Regional Seminar
You are cordially invited to the 2023 Southern California Regional Seminar, to be hosted by the Konko Church of Lancaster on Saturday, February 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Please RSVP by Sunday, February 12, so that we can send you the link. Lunch will be served to those who plan to come to the church to view the presentation, so we will need an accurate headcount.
The topic of this seminar will be this year’s KCNA theme: Strengthen Our Relationship with Kami through Reflection, Sacred Mediation, and Practice. We will try to understand and practice this theme by discussing a faith story from the Gorikai: Teachings of Konko Daijin.
News from the Southern California Churches
The 2023 KCNA Conference Committee Meeting will be held on Saturday, February 11 at 10 a.m. at the Konko Church of Gardena. We look forward to seeing you there.
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