July 2026 Voice of the Divine Parent

4 days ago
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Vol. 26# 7

Pray with a heart of an earnest believer

On June 14, after the monthly service, we held a study session based on the biography, From Farmer to Founder- Biography of Konko Daijin. Since the discussion was very interesting, let us review some key points.

On July 28, 1872, Kami revealed, “the devoted followers of Ikigami Konko Daijin should maintain their sense of community and continue to spread the Way of the Universe. Instead of praying for an individual, make it known that you would mediate their request to Kami. Tell all believers that they should give their requests through their own hearts. Blessings are found in one’s heart.”

In comparing the Japanese and English versions of the text, we found that there were some differences in nuance between them. Therefore, while looking at both, we tried to clarify the most important points.

1) “Tate-nuke” (Stand firm)

This message instructs that the more the challenges continue between Konko Daijin and the local believers in their efforts to spread the faith, the more they should firmly, without hesitation, establish the Ikigami Konko Daijin Shrine, which mediates the path of Tenchi Kane No Kami, the Divine Parent of the Universe.

In the previous year of 1871, a government directive led to the consolidation of the existing shrines, and the Ikigami Konko Daijin shrine also lost the basis for its continued existence. As a result, the “Konko Daijin Shrine” became something that people strongly recognized as a faith community distinct from those shrines. And the more such turmoil persisted, the more Kami instructed them to establish the Ikigami Konko Daijin Shrine without wavering.

The phrase “Establish the Ikigami Konko Daijin Shrine that teaches the path of the Divine Parent of the Universe” means that the teaching should be unified with the path of the Divine Parent of the Universe. In addition, it is Kami’s intention to stabilize the central line of doctrine, which has the role of “resolving misunderstandings, providing a basis for understanding, and serving as a focal point for believers to follow.” It is therefore essential to ensure that the shrine functions continuously as a place that mediates the path of the Divine Parent of the Universe.

2) “Mediating requests to Kami”

Kami revealed, “Konko Daijin, do not say you will pray for others. You should say, ‘Let me mediate your wishes to Kami.’ You should guide them to pray with their own hearts. There are divine blessings in your heart.”

At a time when Konko Daijin could not openly offer prayers/requests, and people sought ways to continue to practice faith under those circumstances, believers were taught to receive blessings by offering their own prayers to Kami. This was a new approach to encourage people to turn their own hearts to Kami. The “faith” that was found in the idea “there are blessings in one’s own heart” became the foundation of Konko Daijin’s faith and remained so for the rest of his life.

“Konko Daijin, do not say you will pray on behalf of others” essentially instructs that the way in which Konko Daijin had prayed or worshipped should be stopped. This is due to the fact that Konko Daijin could not engage in activities publicly because of the Meiji government’s policies (such as the prohibition of spreading faith).

It became crucial to understand Konko Daijin’s role of conveying wishes to Kami (mediation) rather than a person who prays on the believer’s behalf.

3) “Pray to Kami with your own heart”

“The word ‘pray’ is an expression in the imperative form.” Rather than depending on Konko Daijin’s act of worship/prayer, the individual making the wish should turn their own heart toward Kami and pray. “Pray with a heart of an earnest believer” is a fairly strong teaching.

4) “There are blessings in my heart”

The concept is that blessings do not descend from the outside; rather, it manifests within the orientation of one’s heart and one’s way of practicing faith.

Summary

Previously: Konko Daijin was acknowledged as the person who prays for you on your behalf.
From now on: You will become the person who directs your feelings toward Kami and makes a request.
As a result: Blessings arise within that person’s heart.

The divine message

This divine message consists of:

“Do not say you will pray on behalf of others”
“Pray with the heart of an earnest believer”
“Instruction centered on understanding (that each person would receive blessings by turning their hearts toward Kami)”
“There are divine blessings in my heart”

The following corresponds to the divine message dated October 21, 1859

There are many people like yourself, who have sincere faith in kamis, but still have many problems. Help these people by performing Mediation. This will help Kami and save people. Kami exists because of people, and people exist because of Kami. Thus, Kami supports people as Kami’s child, and people support Kami as their parent. There will be eternal prosperity through aiyo-kakeyo.

“Aiyo-kakeyo” means the path by which Kami and people are able to live and prosper through mutual interdependence via the mediation of Ikigami Konko Daijin.

This divine message speaks of the relationship between Kami and people through the Mediation of Ikigami Konko Daijin.

By Rev. Nobuharu Uzunoe

With a gentle, rounded heart

17 The Divine favor depends upon one’s own heart

A heart that is grateful and caring, in harmony and joy. Cultivate a rounded heart by practicing the acceptance of events while praying to Kami- a mindset leading to blessings.

Exercises for the Mind/Heart/Spirit

027 Drink slowly

When drinking tea, for example, savor the color and aroma as you take a sip, close your eyes, and roll it on your tongue while imagining the landscape of the tea fields. Take your time to swallow and notice the sensation as it travels down to your stomach. This works just as well with water, milk, or miso soup. If you take thirty seconds for each sip, you will experience a different flavor than usual.

Daily Renewal of the Heart

Poem by Rev. Matsutaro Yasutake (Founder of Amagi Church)

Days pass day by day: distractions are imminent.

Human hearts—who will save them?

Such is the state of the present world.

「日は一日　すさび来るにける　人心

誰ぞか救わむ　いまの世のさま」

“Days pass day by day” means that time changes constantly and our hearts/minds may destabilize. But right after that comes “Who will save them?” In this context, it seems natural to interpret it as a plea for someone to aid the present world full of people whose hearts have become dissolute and worn out by worries and suffering. In a world that changes day by day, many people with hardships are seeking help. This poem asks, “Who will help?” From this, Rev. Matsutaro Yasutake seems to convey that the poem is a warning to himself, a thought he always keeps in mind.

Poem interpretation

“Human hearts”- refers to the hearts of people—their feelings, and the condition of society.
“Who will save them?”- often takes the form of lament—as if no one can save them (salvation seems difficult).
“The state of the present world”- the current condition of the world—its confusion, disorder, and suffering.

Although days pass, people’s hearts become unsettled, and one wonders who can bring salvation. That is the state of the present world.

Announcements from the Konko Church of Gardena

Morning Service, Cleanup, and Shinto-Kai meeting

On Sunday, July 5, we will be holding the 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. Anyone is welcome to attend.

Monthly Service & Farmer to Founder Study Group

The monthly service will be held on Sunday, July 12 at 10:00 a.m. The study session on From Farmer to Founder- Biography of Konko Daijin will be held after the service. Participants are asked to bring their books. We will focus on pages 106-109.

Gardena Church Work Committee Study Group

GCWC will be held on Sunday, July 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Announcements from the Konko Church of Los Angeles

Monthly service

The Monthly service will be held jointly with Gardena Church on Sunday, July 12 at 10:00 a.m. All families and individuals are warmly invited to attend.

Konko North America Research Information Center Meeting

The Konko North America Research Information Center will conduct doctrinal research and information gathering on July 25 and 26, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.