Vol. 22 # 10
Mutual Interdependency (Aiyo-kakeyo) and Mediation
The relationship between Kami and people can be summarized by the following points:
Kami is the source of human life and movement.
Kami bestows boundless mercy on human beings, and the relationship between Kami and human beings is that of "Kami exists because of people, and people exist because of Kami.”
We are the beloved children of Kami.
Human beings and heaven and earth are connected by the fundamental principle of coexistence. Nevertheless, people are unaware of this interdependent connection, which led to Kami’s request for Konko Daijin to begin the work of mediation to ease human suffering.
People, while living between Heaven and Earth, are unaware of Kami’s blessings. Shrines, temples, and houses all stand on Kami’s land. Without realizing this, people consult the Days and Directions and are disrespectful to Kami. They suffer hardship due to these past offenses. [Voice of the Universe #70]
Right now the world is a human-centerd world. All things are done by people’s own strength, and many people are going against my teachings. Those who do as Kami teaches will become a kami. Long ago, there was a kami-centered world. Now it is a human-centerd world. Because of this, I will teach people how sufferings are caused by people’s own heart. Whether or not they can live in a peaceful world also depends upon their own heart. [Voice of the Universe #72]
Often, Kami wishes to tell people the Way of the Universe, but people wish to solve their actual difficulties on their own. Because of this difference, human problems are used as clues to convey Kami’s thoughts during mediation. Specifically, a mediator listens to people's difficult situations, prays to Kami, conveys Kami’s wishes and the way humans should behave based on those wishes, and paves the way to solving difficulties.
Kami’s wishes are realized in human suffering. Through mediation, Kami’s wishes will reach people and peoples’ wishes will reach Kami. The goal of mediation is to sustain both Kami and people so both will realize the actuality of mutual fulfillment. In other words, when the differences between Kami and people are reduced, a balanced interrelationship develops between the two.
However, in the current reality of mediation work, there are areas where the purpose is not clear. For most people, the process of mediation involves asking the mediator for help to resolve a difficult situation, thus using mediation as a path to Kami’s blessings. People are so inclined towards easing hardships, that Kami, too, devotes strength into resolving our problems and gives us an excessive amount of unrealized blessings. Therefore, there is a danger that people will come to view the purpose of mediation as only "to solve human difficulties.”
If the purpose of mediation is simply to solve human difficulties, then no matter how thorough the mediation is, it is nothing more than a way to "fulfill human wishes", which trivializes the original purpose of mediation. Instead, mediation is "the fulfillment of both divine and human wishes” and it is this combination which is the very purpose of mediation. The practical principle of fulfilling both divine and human wishes is expressed as,
From the Scripture Dictionary "By Fukushima Yoshitsugu" あいよかけよ
An old dialect of the Bitchu region. It is said that this word originally came from the shouts that two people would make when carrying a heavy load on their shoulders in order to get in tune and have the same strength. By combining these shouts, it is possible to move heavy objects that cannot be done by one person alone. This word was mainly expressed in the "Kami’s Revelation" as a word that expresses the relationship between Kami and people. Depending on how people's faith in Kami deepens, Kami will manifest the work of helping the human world as Kami, through this, a person is reborn as a real person, that is, as a living kami (Iki-gami), work as a person who wishes to help the world, people will be able to, this word suggests such a relationship between Kami and people working together through faith, or dependency. “Kami exists because of people, and people exist because Kami. Everyone will become forever prosperous through the relationship of mutual reliance between Kami and people.” And “Kami exists be cause of people, and people exist because Kami. Parents pray for their children, and children pray for their parents. Like Heaven and Earth, practice the mutual reliance.” The expression 'Aiyo Kakeyo' is an attempt to deduce the meaning of 'Aiyo Kakeyo' by showing the above-mentioned interdependence between Kami and humans (living by relying on each other and living by helping each other).
"The mutual interdependence and fulfillment of Kami and people, (Aiyo kakeyo)" The phrase "Aiyo kakeyo" is an expression that shows mutual involvement. However, in the Konko faith, it has a significant meaning as a practical method to realize the goal in fulfilling both Kami and people.
We will next discuss the relationship with wake-mitama, the “soul of the integral part of Kami.” It is the soul given to people by Kami that establishes the relationship between Kami and people. Since the human soul is a part of Kami’s original spirit, the two are inherently connected. In that sense, it should be said that there is an interdependent relationship between Kami’s original spirit and the human soul, rather than a relationship between Kami and people (Aiyo kakeyo). People, however, do not always follow the instructions of their soul and ignore its presence. The interdependent relationship between Kami and people depends upon the relationship between Kami’s spirit and the human soul.
Another aspect is the difference between placing the purpose of mediation on ``relief of difficulties'' and ``realization of (Aiyo kakeyo) mutual interdependency.” If mediation is limited to relieving people of their afflictions, then its only purpose is the fulfillment of people’s wishes. On the other hand, if the purpose of mediation is to realize the mutual interdependence between Kami and people (Aiyo kakeyo), then it already includes Kami’s wish to save people. The work of mediation includes explaining Kami’s wishes through hardships, awakening the kami in our hearts, living within Kami’s wishes, having Kami be born within us, and helping other people to become a kami.
In addition to realizing the relationship between Kami and people, the goal of mediation is to strengthen the relationship amongst people and between people and all things. With this achievement, there will be a mutual interdependence between Kami and people. Mediation is essential for the realization of mutual interdependence between Kami and people. Not only that, but by shifting the goal of mediation from the traditional "relief of human suffering" to "mutual interdependence of Kami and people," the significance of mediation itself will be expanded. The trivialized process of mediation will be restored to its original importance. Confirming the purpose of mediation is the realization of the "mutual reliance of Kami and people" means that the process itself will become clear and stimulating.
KCNA News
2023 KCNA Conference Committee Meeting
The 2023 KCNA Conference is planned to be held in Southern California. The conference preparation committee meeting will be held Saturday, October 8th at 10AM
Konko Church of Gardena News
October Sunday Service and Mitama Service
On Sunday, October 9 at 10:00 a.m., we will have our Sunday Service and Memorial Service. Please try your best to attend. "When you worship, you'll be grateful that you did."
From Farmer to Founder Study Group
The study group last met after service on Sunday, August 21, during which we discussed the first half of Chapter 3 of Konko Daijin’s biography, From Farmer to Founder. In Chapter 3, Bunji is faced with the decision to retire from farming in order to devote more time to serving Kami.
In early 1859, Bunji’s family experienced many farming successes but also times of grave concern with illnesses from smallpox. However, Kami reassured Bunji in a variety of ways, helping to deepen his faith and reliance on Kami. Uzunoe Sensei said that Kami was training Bunji to trust Kami. This is something that we can do as well. We can trust Kami more with difficult decisions and focus on realizing blessings even in hardship. Later, Bunji’s daughter nearly dies from smallpox, but survives. Bunji reflects that, “Even if she had died, I still received blessings” (p. 48). The group discussed how this could be so. We can pray, trust and accept the outcome, see the “silver linings” and be grateful. Sensei reminded us that we can achieve this by practicing faith.
Also in Chapter 3, Bunji levels up! As a sign of “Bunji’s new level and awareness” (p. 50), he receives another new name, Konshi Daimyojin (金子 大明神). The group had an interesting discussion of this new name.
Please join us after service and lunch on Sunday, October 9, as we discuss the remainder of Chapter 3, “To Mediate or Not”, in which Konko Daijin moves closer to fulfilling Kami’s wish. Before we meet, please read the chapter, make notes, and bring any faith or culture questions that come up for you. We expect to have another lively discussion and hope to see you there!
Gardena Church Work Committee
The next GCWC meeting will be held on October 16 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. We will be working on Gorikai III Jinkyu-kyogoroku. If you would like to attend the meeting, please contact Rev. Uzunoe.
Konko Church of Los Angeles News
October Sunday Service and Mitama Service
On October 23 at 11:00 a.m., the Konko Church of Los Angeles, will hold the October Sunday service and the Memorial Service. After the service, there will be a group discussion about the Konko Faith. We hope that you will deepen your faith by asking many questions, such as questions about your daily faith and things you do not understand. We look forward to seeing you on October 23rd.
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