June 2026 Voice of the Divine Parent

May 30
7 min read

Vol. 26# 6

To Become a Kami

What Does It Mean to “Become a Kami”?

This is a very important question. In Konko Daijin’s teaching, “to become a kami” does not mean becoming Kami in the absolute sense or turning into a divine being in the way people might usually imagine.

Rather, it is more naturally understood as:

● becoming a person who manifests Kami’s work in this world

● becoming someone who embodies Kami’s wish to save and help people

● becoming a channel through which divine virtue is expressed

Voice of the Universe # 363 – Though people say that I am an Ikigami, I, Konko Daijin, am human like all of you. I have been receiving divine blessings just by practicing faith. You should also follow what Kami says, and practice faith in Kami sincerely and single-heartedly to receive divine blessings. Save others and you will be allowed to become a kami. [ II Fukushima Gihee]

1. The Principal Meaning

When Konko Daijin says:

“If you save one person; you are a kami for one person. If you save ten people, you are a kami for ten people.” [ II Shirakami Shin-Ichiro 1]

By helping someone, you become, for that person, a bearer of Kami’s work.

In other words:

● It does not mean that you become Kami

● It means that you become a person who conveys Kami’s love and blessing

● For the person who has been helped, you become someone through whom Kami’s work has been received

2. What Does “A Kami for One Person” Mean?

The phrase “one-person kami” should not be taken too literally as if it were a rank or title of divinity. In this context, “kami” refers less to a divine entity and more to a function or way of being.

It is helpful to think of it in these terms:

● when you support someone who is suffering

● when you pray for their salvation and well-being

● when you help them find a way forward

● when you become an instrument of life, hope, and guidance

Then, from that person’s point of view, you become:

● the one through whom Kami’s blessing reached them

● the one through whom Kami’s work was made visible

So, if you help one person, you become “a kami” in the sense that you fulfilled a divine role for that one person.

3. The Nuance of “Becoming kami” in Konko faith

In the Konko faith, people are not seen as completely separate from Kami. We live within Heaven and Earth, sustained by divine blessings.

Therefore, “becoming kami” can be understood in the following ways:

① Becoming a person who aligns with Kami’s will

● not living only by self-centered thinking

● but living with a Kami-centered heart

● and wishing for the salvation and well-being of others

② Becoming a person who reveals Kami’s virtue

Through qualities such as:

● kindness

● mediation

● compassion

● patience

● mutual support

Kami’s virtue becomes visible through that person’s life.

③ Becoming a practitioner of mutual fulfillment between Kami and people

One important Konko perspective is:

● Kami is fulfilled, and people are fulfilled

● People are saved, and Kami’s wish is realized

So, when someone helps others, that person is participating in the realization of Kami’s wish in this world.

4. “A Kami for One Person” as an Appearance of Kami’s Working

A simple way to understand it is this:

If you help one person, then for that person, you have performed the work of Kami.

This does not mean that the person should worship you.

It means that:

● Kami’s love

● Kami’s help

● Kami’s compassion

were delivered to that person through you.

For example:

● Someone in despair regains hope

● someone who has lost their way finds a path forward

● someone in suffering feels they can live on

When that kind of salvation happens, Kami’s work is present, and the helper has become useful in Kami’s service.

5. What Does “If You Save Ten People, You Are a Kami for Ten People” Mean?

This does not mean that you become ten separate Kamis.

Rather, it means:

● If you help one person, you manifest Kami’s work for one person

● If you help ten people, you manifest Kami’s working for ten people

● The more people you help, the more widely Kami’s virtue is expressed through you

So, the “number” refers not to divine rank, but to:

● the extent of Kami’s work made visible through your acts of helping others

6. An Important Caution

This teaching is not meant to make a person arrogant or foster complacency.

Misunderstandings to avoid:

● “I am great.”

● “I myself am Kami.”

● “I alone have the power to save people.”

These would go against the spirit of Konko Daijin’s teaching.

The proper attitude is humility

● we do not save others by our power alone

● we are allowed to help through Kami’s blessing

● We serve as mediators or instruments of Kami’s working

● Therefore, we should remain humble

In Konko Fatih, the spirit of Toritsugi (mediation) is very important. The one who offers assistance is not the ultimate source of salvation, but one who stands between Kami and humanity, working to ensure that Kami’s wish reaches people.

7. Summary and key points

● “To become a kami” = to become a person who manifests Kami’s workings

● “A kami for one person” = someone who helped one person in a way that conveyed Kami’s blessing

● It is not deification in the absolute sense

● It is the practice of embodying divine love and salvation

● Its background includes the Konko ideas of Toritsugi and mutual fulfillment between Kami and people

● Therefore, this is not about pride, but about a sense of mission, responsibility, and humility

8. In One Sentence

“When a person helps others, they do not become Kami; rather, they become a bearer of Kami’s love and workings.”

Please share your stories about how you were saved with others. Receive mediation on behalf of those who are suffering to help them. In doing so, you become a bearer of Kami’s workings and this can be a way of offering gratitude to Kami.

With a gentle, rounded heart

“Pray for your good health. Strengthen your body.

Good health is the basis of everything.”

When you are healthy, it is difficult to appreciate just how precious it is.

Let us continually be grateful for the body we have received from Kami

and pray for our well-being.

Exercises for the Mind/Heart/Spirit

26 Browse through your belongings

It's natural to feel a little envious of the wonderful things others possess.

In those moments, take a moment to reflect on the items you have and the days you've spent with them. That bag and that watch are unique pieces that have served you well. Take a moment to express your gratitude and give them a gentle pat. After that, you can decide whether to continue using them or consider replacing them.

Daily Renewal of the Heart

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

The heart that cherishes one’s parents is the very essence of human sincerity; surely, Kami too, looks upon such loving hearts with tenderness and joy.

「親思う　心は人のまことなり　神も愛ぐしと　みそなわすらむ」

When I reflect on this poem, I feel as Rev. Matsutaro Yasutake said, that the word “parent” does not refer only to our biological father and mother. It also includes the teachers who guided us in faith, and ultimately Kami, our Divine Parent.

Whenever I read this poem, I remember my late parents. At the same time, I warmly recall my spiritual parents and spiritual mentor—Rev. Sue Kajiwara, Rev. Isao Goto, and Mrs. Tomoyo Goto—who nurtured me through various teachings.

Along with these memories, I strongly feel the deep love that our Parent Kami showers upon all human beings. We are given life, raised, and embraced in that warmth.

I believe Rev. Matsutaro is teaching us that a heart that longs for and cherishes one’s parents is the very truth and sincerity of being human. And when I think that Kami also looks joyfully upon such a heart, my own heart becomes warm and filled with happiness.

Perhaps you, too, may feel that same warmth when you encounter this poem.

Announcements from the Konko Church of Gardena

Morning service, cleanup, and Shinto-Kai meeting

On June 7, at 9:00 a.m., we will hold the morning service. Following the service, let us clean the interior and exterior of the church together and purify our hearts. The Shinto-Kai meeting will be held after the cleanup. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Monthly service & Farmer to Founder Study Group

The monthly service will be held on June 14 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.

Board Meeting

On June 27 at 10:00 a.m., a Board meeting will be held remotely. All board members are requested to attend.

Gardena Church Work Committee Study Group

GCWC will be held on June 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please contact Rev. Uzunoe if you would like to participate.

Announcements from the Konko Church of Los Angeles

Monthly service

The monthly service will be held jointly with Gardena Church on June 14 at 10:00 a.m. All families and individuals are warmly invited to attend.

Church Cleanup: A Note of Gratitude

On May 16, the Konko Church of Los Angeles held a major cleaning of the residence and the church grounds. With the participation of more than thirty people, we were able to complete the cleaning successfully. Thanks to everyone’s heartfelt service, both the interior and exterior of the church have been significantly organized and refreshed. We extend our deepest gratitude to all who participated. We believe that Kami, too, is pleased. We would also like to offer our sincere appreciation for the donations of snacks, drinks, and other refreshments.

As we move forward, there is still much to be done such as dusting, repairing damaged areas, and sorting through remaining items. We will once again be relying on your generous support, and the date for the next workday will be announced later. We humbly ask for your continued cooperation and sincerely hope that as many people as possible will join us.

Mr. Akira Sato enrolls in the Konko faith Seminary

As many of you know, Mr. Akira Sato passed his exam and entered the Seminary on May 15 at the Konko headquarters. There are fifteen students in the Konko seminary this year, and Akira is said to be the oldest among them.

There, at the center of the Konko faith, he will train and study alongside younger students, receive the mediation of Ikigami Konko Daijin, and follow the wish of the Divine Parent of the Universe.