GEDATSU COMPANION FEBRUARY 2017 INSIDE THIS ISSUE MARCH 2017 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

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1 February 2017 Vol. 68 No. 2 GEDATSU COMPANION GEDATSU CHURCH USA FEBRUARY 2017 INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 News and Announcements 3 Dear Reverend: Is it necessary to perform the rituals and prayers? 4 Around Our Church: Jackson Ito Meets with Youth Leaders, L.A. Celebrates Holiday and Newlyweds 5 Archbishop Kishida: Right Path toward the Spiritual World 7 Reiko Kishida: Can t Stop Praying 9 Offerings and Upcoming Events Gedatsu Kongo s Thought for the Month Gedatsu is positive, progressive and improvement. In our Gedatsu study, it is very important to correctly understand the law of cause and effect. It s definite that every effect has its cause. Good or bad, your present status is the result of your past. Remember that your attitude in life today creates your future. This is the most important point you should understand in your Gedatsu study. Our founder Gedatsu Kongo stated, Karma is the seed of hope. You must create good karma. No matter what difficulties you may have in your life, you need not feel hopeless. Your future depends totally on how you accept your present situation. There will be no dead end in your life. Correctly understand this truth of life, and try to live positively. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Sun 5 10:00 am Never Forgotten Memorial Service Sun 12 9:30 pm Sunday Service / Ajikan Meditation Sun 19 1:00 pm San Jose Branch Kanshakai Service Sun 26 9:30 am Sunday Service / Ajikan Meditation SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Sun 5 10:00 am Japanese Kanshakai Service Sun 12 10:00 am Never Forgotten Memorial Service Sun 19 10:00 am Japanese and English Kanshakai Service Sun Spirit Service Tue 21 Church Closed (in lieu of Presidents Day) Sun 26 10:00 am English Kanshakia Service / Ajikan Meditation L.A. Regional Board Mtg. / Life in Your 20s NORTHERN CALIFORNIA MARCH 2017 Sun 5 10:00 am Never Forgotten Memorial Service Sun 12 9:30 pm Sunday Service / Ajikan Meditation Sun 26 9:30 am Sunday Service / Ajikan Meditation SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Sun 5 10:00 am Japanese Kanshakai Service Sun 12 10:00 am Never Forgotten Memorial Service Fri 17 10:00 am Propagation Meeting Sat 18 10:00 am Board of Directors Meeting Sun 19 10:00 am Japanese and English Kanshakai Service Higan Service Sat 25 8:00 am Morongo Casino Bus Turnaround Sun 26 10:00 am English Kanshakia Service / Ajikan Meditation L.A. Regional Board Mtg. / Life in Your 20s

2 NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS New Spiritual Leader Installed Hideaki Okano was installed as the new Abbot, or Hoshu spiritual leader of the Gedatsu Church in formal inauguration ceremonies on November 13, 2016, in Goreichi, Japan. Abbot Okano succeeds his father, the former Hoshu, Abbot Seiho Okano, who assumed the post of Choro, or spiritual elder. Abbot Hideaki Okano officially began serving in his new role on January 1 st. Notice of General Membership Meeting A general membership meeting will be held at the L.A. Church on Sunday, February 19, and at the Sacramento Church on Sunday, February 12, for the purpose of electing a new director to the Board of Directors of Gedatsu USA. The election will be held in conjunction with the regularly scheduled Sunday services. All members are invited to participate. Never Forgotten Memorial Services Never Forgotten Memorial Services will be held at the Sacramento and Los Angeles Churches in February. Sacramento Church: Sunday, February 5 at 10 a.m. The memorial service will honor the souls of Karl Kaoru Tanaka, Hisaye (Kino) Ide, Kaneko (Ide) Hatae, Yasuko (Noritake) Tsuboi, George Hughley, Roku Kino, Yoritaro Tsuboi, Kenji Matsuhashi, Hiroko Beaky, Cho Kubo, Yasuko Suyeyasu, Sotaro Yamanaka, Kinuye Yokota, Toshiko Yokota. Upper left, Abbot Hideaki Okano. At right, Abbot Okano reads formal address before Tenjinchigi Shrine at Goreichi, Japan. Below, he officially receives his new title from his father, the former Abbot Seiho Okano. In executive changes in Japan, Takahiko Watanabe assumed the post of chairman of Gedatsu-kai Japan on January 1. He succeeds the former chairman, Bishop Teruo Okano, who assumed the post of advisor. Bishop Okano, as previously announced, will continue to serve as bishop of Gedatsu USA. Los Angeles Church: Sunday, February 12 at 10 a.m. The memorial service will honor the souls of Kimiye Akiyoshi, Masuye Akiyoshi, Hideo Fujii, Scott Hamamoto, Nancy Michiyo Ito, Morio Kaku, Kofuku Makishi, Kimiko Matsugami, Tadashi Mochida, Kesao Naito, Kikuko Naito, Shoichi Naito, Tomokata Naito, Horace Kazumori Nakamura, Chikajiro Nishi, Koto Nishi, Linda Miyo Okayama, Yoshinosuke John Sakuma, Hidekichi Shiroishi, Sayoko Dorothy Shiroishi, Kaoru Tanaka, Hiroko Yamada, Sotaro Yamanaka. Apply for Saito Goma Plaques Apply now for plaques for the Saito Gomo ceremony to be held in conjunction with the Spring Grand Festival on the Goreichi grounds in Sacramento on Sunday, April 9. An application form is enclosed with this newsletter. Guest Minister Schedule The 2017 visiting schedule for Rev. H. Taki, guest minister from Japan, is as follows: February 17 to April 27 Primarily Los Angeles February 28 to March 8 Honolulu July 20 to October 4 U.S. locations TBD Renew Your Holy Paper Plaques Have you renewed your holy paper plaques for placement around your home for protection and blessing? See your local church branch for details on types of plaques and prices. 2 P a g e

3 NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Attend Sun Spirit Services in February In February 1940, on the grounds of the Goreichi Sanctuary in Kitamoto, Japan, Gedatsu Kongo erected the Sun Spirit Monument (shown below) as a symbolic expression of the spiritual significance of the sun. The Founder stated that the sun reflects the Truth aspect of the three virtues Truth, Goodness and Beauty which exemplify the harmony of the human character. Gedatsu Kongo regarded this monument with its large circular sun image carved in its center as a symbol of the sun s expression of selflessness, fairness and endless compassion. The everlasting light and heat from the sun are attributed as the sacred source of life, which the sun gives freely to all living things on earth without taking anything in return. Through the Sun Spirit Monument, the Founder aimed to impress upon us the importance of cultivating a selfless, giving attitude in our lives and of radiating these spiritual qualities to others. Members are encouraged to join in the Sun Spirit services in February to recognize and give thanks to the sun for its gifts and significance in our lives. Morongo Casino Bus Turn-around L.A. members and friends will travel by bus to the Morongo Casino Resort in San Bernardino on Saturday, March 25. The bus will leave the church at 8 a.m., leave Morongo at 4 p.m., and return to the church at 6 p.m. Bus fare is $25 per person (plus tip for driver). Other attractions include an outlet mall near the casino. Meals are on your own. If you are interested in joining this fun excursion, please sign up in the church lobby. DEAR REVEREND Q I like the Gedatsu doctrine, but is it necessary to perform the rituals and prayers? Our founder, Gedatsu Kongo, said, Religion is all about making good habits. A One of my Gedatsu teachers in Japan writes a letter to my family once a year. He always writes, Watch your habits. They become your character. Even if we force ourselves, or pretend, to do something, that can create our habits and become our character. My teacher even recommended that we should try forcing a smile, because even a fake smile can make us feel happier. He said, Before you say, I can t do it, just try smiling and feel grateful. Gedatsu members offer morning and evening prayers at home in front of the family altar. Those rituals are good habits and reminders for us to remember the blessings we have been receiving from God and ancestors. Please remember that we are supposed to start offering prayers with gratitude. In Gedatsu teachings, we believe that God, or Tenjinchigi, sustains our lives. We have been receiving immeasurable blessings from everything around us. Although we should always remember that, we are not perfect. We tend to forget to be grateful. We easily tend to become ungrateful and self-centered. Watch your habits. They become your character. I am not a morning person, but I always sit quietly in front of the family altar in the morning. I offer my thank-you prayers to God and my ancestors. Then I offer Amacha Kuyo to my ancestors and all spirits connected to me and my family. Amacha Kuyo is another good reminder for us to remember the blessings we receive from our ancestors and everything. In the evening, I do the same rituals and prayers with my family, reflecting on all the things I have to be grateful for. Those rituals make me stay grateful and make my day flow more easily. To have quiet moments every morning and evening is a good thing. Gedatsu rituals are practices for gratitude. However, please don t become a slave to rituals. The most important thing is your heart. I hope you try to make good habits every day and create a happy life. Rev. Tatsunori Kamiya 3 P a g e

4 AROUND OUR CHURCH ancestor family trees, movies in the U.S. before I left, an invitation to attend a Caltech scientific presentation on autism, etc. Although I had not been actively searching for these answers, said Jackson, I am sure my guardian spirit passed them on to me to prepare me for answering questions from delegates. Senior Deacon Jackson Ito Addresses Youth Leaders in Japan The Gedatsu Youth Leaders Seminar was held at the Goreichi Sanctuary in Kitamoto, Japan on December 10 and 11, More than 100 Gedatsu youth leaders from each district and regions throughout Japan participated in the two-day session to learn the importance of their roles and pledge to Gedatsu Kongo the fulfillment of their duties. Senior Deacon Jackson Ito was invited to speak before the group, following addresses by Abbot Seiho Okano and other Gedatsu-kai and Youth Group officials. Jackson, who prepared extensively for the conference by writing essays on nine different topics about his life s experiences and viewpoints on Gedatsu (which were translated into Japanese and distributed to participants prior to the session), spoke before the group, with translation provided by Senior Reverend Akira Sebe. When asked about his experience in Japan, Jackson responded: Since I arrived in Japan, I have received an enormous amount of shugyo (training) messages in a number of different ways. I received messages from my encounters with Sugimoto Sensei, Funahashi Sensei, newspaper articles, TV programs on autism, family relationships, DNA research of unknown L.A. Church Celebrates the Holidays There was good cheer and best wishes all around as the L.A. Church celebrated its annual Christmas program on Sunday, December 18, in conjunction with the Kanshakai Service. The Christmas program featured the music of the Mark Keppel High School Holiday Band Ensemble (top photo) and a special appearance from Santa Claus (Brian Waldman, a second-generation Santa, following in the bootsteps of his late father, Bill Waldman, who played the role at the L.A. Church for many years). The L.A. Church Congregation Elves (bottom photo) Rev. Naoya on drum, Yuko Yamada on flute, Marylin Nakamura with vocals and Rev. Yamada on ukulele also entertained. Special thanks to Marylin Nakamura, who chaired the Christmas service and music program and to Linda Sanchez and the L.A. Sunday School for the holiday treats. 4 P a g e

5 AROUND OUR CHURCH OUR GEDATSU STUDY Right Path toward the Spiritual World Excerpt from Makoto, or Truth, published in 1981 By Archbishop Eizan Kishida Translated by Rev. Hisakazu Taki All animals possess self-preserving properties. Wild animals live in a pretty simple manner. But human beings, who have intelligence and exquisite sensibility, live in a variety of lifestyles as members of society. As a result, humans may have a stronger tendency toward selfishness. In a way, our ego actually may encourage us to improve. Conversely, it may cloud our spirituality. Dogs, cats and foxes sometimes show their telepathic abilities. But humans, although they are called the lords of creation, may have lost their telepathic abilities. This is because they have competed against others for survival, and, unknowingly, have become increasingly selfish. Our way of life as humans should be to lead a spiritual life and try to benefit the world through our daily duties. Our founder, Gedatsu Kongo, stated, If man sincerely wants to search for the true path of life, he must be aware of life after death. To renounce egoism in one s physical life is to live a spiritual life without physical attachment. It is likened to communicating with the spiritual world while living. To renounce egoism in one s physical life is to live a spiritual life without physical attachment. L.A. Church Members Congratulate Newlyweds Following the Christmas program in December, L.A. Church members held a potluck lunch to celebrate the recent marriage of Rev. Yoshihiro Noguchi and his new bride, Noriko, who were visiting from Japan. Rev. Noguchi served the L.A. Church as minister-in-training from 2003 to He was also one of the founders of Gedatsu USA Kendo Dojo (together with Tetsuya Matsumoto) and served as teacher-coach. The couple is currently employed at Gedatsu-kai headquarters in Japan Rev. Noguchi in the General Affairs Department and Mrs. Noguchi in the Publishing Department. When you read the passage to communicate with the spiritual world while living you may think of someone s psychic powers. However, Gedatsu Kongo emphasized the importance of renouncing egoism in your physical life. There are a variety of psychics in the world. While most of them attract attention because they can foresee the future, their personal qualities are not questioned. Many of those psychics, although they may display their remarkable gifts at one time in their (Continued on page 6) 5 P a g e

6 OUR GEDATSU STUDY (Right Path continued from page 5) lives, will disappear in the course of time. It is because they have not tried to cultivate their spirituality, even though they were gifted with some psychic power. Therefore, the spirits that come in contact with those people are the ones in lower levels. Those lower spirits may have the power to foresee the future, but they may have selfish desires and may negatively influence us. It is very dangerous to believe the psychics who have contact with those lower spirits. Only those who are spiritually purified can make contact with divine spirits. The right path toward the spiritual world is not to seek the mystical, but to cultivate spirituality and live sincerely as humans. Psychics who do not renounce ego, even if they possess a strong psychic power, will eventually corrupt society. The right path toward the spiritual world is not to seek the mystical, but to cultivate spirituality and live sincerely as humans. All animals, including human beings, have an instinctive desire to protect themselves. Therefore, they are more or less selfish. Compared to other animals, human beings are more selfish. This is because only humans have an appetite for status and money, besides a desire for food, sleep and sex that all animals share. Because of this uniqueness, humans have developed an advanced civilization. But at the same time, human beings have repeated conflicts and wars because of their selfishness. This tendency of humans became habitual, clouding our spirituality and throwing the world into confusion. Gedatsu Kongo stated, Egoism destroys self, home, country and the world. This is indeed the truth. Human beings have been seeking material comfort. But this will make us humans more and more selfish. It is actually very hard to reduce egoism in modern material civilization. Nevertheless, we must remember this is the path to practice Gedatsu. Gedatsu Kongo stated, To renounce egoism in one s physical life is to live a spiritual life without physical attachment. However, this is not easy, because, as long as we live, it is impossible for us to leave our bodily sensation. Renouncing physical attachment does not mean to become insensitive to bodily sensations. Regarding weather, for example, means not to cling to either hot or cold. When it is cold, you enjoy the coldness, and when it is hot, you appreciate the hot weather. This is renouncing physical attachment, which Gedatsu Kongo talked about. When you thus accept your current status and view yourself objectively, even if your life is filled with troubles and difficulties, you can enjoy hardships, because you can understand that the hardships will improve yourself spiritually. This is just as you attend a training seminar. It may be hard to receive intensive training. But you will attend the training seminar because you understand the training will improve yourself. When you accept your current status and view yourself objectively... you can enjoy hardships, because you can understand that hardships will improve yourself spiritually. Food, clothing and housing are essential for sustaining life. If you are not content with your current status and if you seek more luxuries, you will develop an obsession for them. There are a number of temptations around us. Therefore, we should build up resistance to temptations. This is what we should learn from Gedatsu. When you hear the words, renouncing egoism, you may think that Gedatsu is to keep away from the real world. But that is not so. On the contrary, Gedatsu is to get the most out of life. Gedatsu Kongo always encouraged members to exert maximum effort even in making money. There are two ways to exert effort. One is to exert effort for one s personal gains. The other is to exert effort for the public. When you exert effort for your personal gains, even if you make money, you will not be able to earn the trust of people. When you exert effort for the public, you will win people s trust. It is the path of renouncing egoism to exert the most effort through your duties. This is the true meaning of Gedatsu Kongo s words, to communicate with the spiritual world while living. 6 P a g e

7 PERSONAL EXPERIENCE About Can t Stop Praying The following article was written from an interview with Reiko Kishida, the daughter of Archbishop Eizan and Shigeko Kishida. The article appeared in the December 1985 winter issue of Sun Sun, a seasonal magazine published in Japan four times a year. It has been translated into English by Rev. Naoya Okano. CAN T STOP PRAYING Interview with Reiko Kishida Translated by Rev. Naoya Okano Everyone has his or her own role and duty in life. To accomplish my role and duty, I continually pray to develop myself. Born on March 14, 1930 in Tokyo, Reiko, from an early age, often visited Gedatsu Kongo with her father and was a favorite of the Founder. In 1950, she married Toshiichi Kishida, and the couple was blessed with two sons. Later, she took over management of the Ookayama Gedatsu branch from her father. Reiko died in November 2015, following the passing of her husband eight months earlier in March. They are pictured here in 2011, in front of the Shimizuko Benzaiten shrine at their Ookayama Branch. Through his spiritual insight, Archbishop Kishida learned that Shimizukubo Benzaiten was the guardian angel of the Kishida family. Reiko talks about the influence of the Benzaiten deity in her article. Editor If you put forth effort and sincerely pray, your guardian angel will earnestly work for and protect you. These words were spoken by Gedatsu Kongo to Reiko Kishida s father, the late Archbishop Eizan Kishida, when her father enshrined Benzaiten, the deity related to the Kishida family. Reiko Kishida adopted these words as her own and always remembered them. The Amehachidai Ryuo deity on the Kishida family property is the guardian angel known as Benzaiten. People with problems and worries Illness, bankruptcy, losses, as well as love, marriage and divorce often come and pray there to find solutions to these problems. (Continued on page 8) 7 P a g e

8 PERSONAL EXPERIENCE ( Can t Stop Praying Continued from page 7) May their problems be solved and may they become happy. As the caretaker of this deity, that is how I sincerely pray, Reiko said. But to ask, please cure my illness, let me make a large profit, or help me marry someone, may seem like selfish prayers. Some people may think they should not ask such selfish wishes. When asked this, Reiko answered, Yes, that s fine. It is okay to ask anything they want to the Benten-sama. Don t you think so? If people are ill, if they have no money, if they are lonely without a boyfriend, girlfriend, or family, it is difficult to perform their duties. So, it is okay to pray to remove mental distress or physical illness so that you can work hard as human beings. However, it is important to realize that you are blessed by God and to work as hard as you can in exchange for the blessing. Reiko continued, More and more people should become happier. This Benzaiten must have such spiritual power. So, I wonder if the prayers of those of us who serve God are not enough or are wrong. I reflect like that. Please allow me to be used by God. Mrs. Reiko Kishida is in charge of one of the Gedatsu branches. My prayers now are for members happiness and for me to serve on God s behalf, she says. I think these two prayers are never enough, no matter how much I sincerely pray. Prayer and how you pray are different, depending on who you are, your social position and what you have to accomplish. To me, I have been praying as an individual, as a child, as a wife, and also as a mother. The time Mrs. Reiko Kiyota could not stop praying was just after Archbishop Eizan Kishida left Japan for America to propagate. It was 1950, when she just became 20 years old. As well as praying for her father s safety, she kneeled down and prayed to God: If there is something to be done, please use him to accomplish it. She knew her father was not facing an easy task. Archbishop Eizan Kishida devoted himself to improve the social condition and for the salvation of mankind as a disciple of Gedatsu Kongo. One day before he passed away, members asked him for permission to do ohyakudo, or the hundred-round prayer, for him to recover his health. You don t need to pray for me. I will be allowed to live if I still have something to do in my life. If I finish my task in my life, this is much appreciated, too. Please use your energy for the happiness of others instead of for me, he strongly said to them. Reiko Kishida made up her mind that as her father s descendent, she would adopt his will and determination. She recalled, My father deeply studied religious practices. Like Hogo a million times in three years, he swore himself to become a man who is allowed to be used by Gedatsu Kongo, so that he could pray for members happiness. She is now making every effort to develop herself so she can devote herself to her duties just like her father. All mothers worry when their children catch a cold, get a fever, or have a lingering cough. That was the same for her. When her children had a cough, she worried they had whooping cough, even though it was just a cold. She recalled, When I took my child to see a doctor, the doctor said that his throat was just swollen. It was not serious at all. So, I decided to think of the coughing as laughing. (Continued on back page) 8 P a g e

9 DECEMBER 2016 OFFERINGS 2017 UPCOMING EVENTS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA $5 $49: S. Tanaka, M/M B. Ide, M/M D. Tsuboi, J. Tanaka, M/M R. Nakatani, K. Schubert, S. Taketa, S. Yabut $50 $99: M/M S. Sekikawa, J. Scott, M/M C. Tanaka, Rev/Mrs. S. Matsuhashi $100+: N. Tateishi, M/M P. Tateishi, K. Gibson, J. Detwiler/J. Sebe April 9 (Sun) May 14 (Sun) May 21 (Sun) May 30 (Tue) Spring Grand Festival 9:30 a.m. (Note earlier start time) Sacramento Joen-no-gi (plaque burning) L.A. Mother s Day Service Church Closed (in lieu of Memorial Day) Special Acknowledgment S. Bush Palo Alto home ($100) SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA $5 $49: J. Choy, B. Flores, G. Hirami, H. Kumashiro, T. Matsumoto, M/M V. Mizokami, T. Toyama $50 $99: M/M T. Hirami, K. Kuritani, M/M K. Kuritani, M/M M. Murakami, T. Murakami, M. Numata, Y. Oishi, M. Okada, L. Sanchez, M/M H. Tsujimura, M/M R. Tsujimura, A. Watanabe, M/M P. Young $100+: M/M R. Allum, N. Chuk, M/M T. Fukushima, M/M B. Hamamoto, T. Imura, M/ Kimura, C. Tomari, M/M T. Matsumoto, M. Michiuye, F. Miyamura, M/M S. Mukai, T. Nakamura, M/M N. Okano, T. Okimura, G. Takimoto, M/M K. Yamada $200+: T. Ishida, J. Ito, D. Shiroishi $300+: M/M F. Barthel $400+: M/M Y. Noguchi Special Acknowledgment D. Shiroishi Appreciation for retirement ($500) S. Kaku Recovery from injury ($150) H. Yamamoto Funeral Service for Mitsuko Numata ($500) J. Mizutani Funeral Service for Shizuyo Mizutani ($500) L. Ito In memory of Shizue Ito ($500) J. Kaku Appreciation for new car and no injury from accident ($100) Year-end Appreciation: M/M T. Fukushima ($2,000) M/M K. Kuritani ($100) M/M N. Okano ($200) J. Shiroishi ($100) C. Tsujimura ($2,000) M/M H. Tsujimura ($100) M/M R. Tsujimura ($100) Jun 11 (Sun) Sacramento Mother s Day Service Jun 18 (Sun) L.A. Mother Kiyota s Memorial Service Jun (Sat-Sun) Rokujizo Bazaar Sac to 11.m. Jul 4 (Tue) Jul 16 (Sun) Jul 23 (Sun) Jul 29 (Sat) Aug 20 (Sun) Church Closed (Independence Day) L.A. Obon Service / Graduates Honored Sacramento Obon Service Lake Tahoe Benzaiten Service (TBD) L.A. Benzaiten Service Sep 3 (Sun) Fall Grand Festival 9:30 a.m. Sep 5 (Tue) Church Closed (in lieu of Labor Day) Sep 16 (Sat) L.A. Rummage Sale (TBD) Sep 17 (Sun) L.A. Higan Service Sep 24 (Sun) Sacramento Higan Service Sep 30- Oct 1 (Sat-Sun) L.A. Autumn Moon Festival Oct 10 (Tue) Oct 15 (Sun) Church Closed (in lieu of Columbus Day) L.A. Ujigami Service Nov 5 (Sun) L.A. Gedatsu Kongo Memorial Service Nov 12 (Sun) Sacramento Gedatsu Kongo Birthday Nov 18 (Sat) L.A. Casino Bus Trip (TBD) Nov 19 (Sun) L.A Year Children s Celebration / Gedatsu Kongo Birthday Nov Church Closed (Thanksgiving Holiday) Dec 3 (Sun) Dec. 10 (Sun) Dec 10 (Sun) Dec 17 (Sun) Dec L.A. Archbishop Kishida Memorial Service Sacramento Last Service of Year, All Souls Service, Archbishop Kishida Memorial Service L.A. Church Clean-up L.A. Christmas Service, Last Kanshakai Church Closed 9 P a g e

10 2 月度教会行事予定 ロサンゼルス教会 5 日 ( 日 )10:00A 日本語感謝会 12 日 ( 日 )10:00A 祥月追善法要 19 日 ( 日 )10:00A 日英 感謝会 太陽精神碑建立記念祭 21 日 ( 火 ) 振替休日 ( プレジデントデイ ) 26 日 ( 日 )10:00A 英語感謝会 阿字観法 リージョナル委員会 サクラメント教会 5 日 ( 日 )10:00A 祥月追善法要 12 日 ( 日 ) 9:30A 感謝会 阿字観法 19 日 ( 日 ) 1:00P サンノゼ支部感謝会 26 日 ( 日 ) 9:30A 感謝会 阿字観法 2 月度みさとし 解脱は積極である 進歩向上的である 解脱の学びにおいて いわゆる因縁について正しい認識をもつことがきわめて大切です あらゆることにおいて 原因あっての結果であることはたしかです よきにせよ悪しきにせよ 現在のありようは過去の結果であるといえるでしょう しかしながら同時に 今日の自分の生き方が明日の自分をつくることを忘れてはなりません 実は この点にこそ解脱の学びの核心があります 金剛さまは 因縁は希望の種である といわれました また よき因縁を創造せよ ともいわれています たとえ現在どれほど困難な状況に置かれているとしても 絶望する必要はないのです その現状を自分がどう受け止めるかによって どのような未来を切り拓くこともできるからです 人生 行きづまりなし! この真理を胸に 人生を堂々と前向きに歩んでいきましょう 解脱人生相談 朝夕の勤行はしなければならないか? < 質問 > 解脱会とその教えには好感が持てますが 拝礼行事や朝夕の勤行などは必ずしなければならな いものですか? 回答者 : 神谷龍典 会祖解脱金剛さまは 宗教は万事 良い癖づけをし て行くことだよ と申されました 私がお世話になっている解脱会の先生が年に一度 手紙を私たち家族に送ってくださるのですが その手 紙の中にいつも 習い性となる というお言葉を書か 新 法主さま誕生! 本年 1 月 1 日より 岡野英祥 ( ひであき ) さまが 解脱会第二代 法主 に就任されました なお前法主の岡野聖法さまは 長老 となられました れています 人間はふりをしているうちに 演技をしているうちに それが習慣化し それが心の中に形成され やがて本質になっていくと言われています 先生からの手紙の中に一度 作り笑いでもいいから笑ってみなさい とありました できないとあきらめる前に 演技 でも ふり でもいいから笑ってみる 感謝してみる 心がける ことが大切ということです 解脱会員は自宅のご神前で 朝夕の勤行 を行います 朝夕の勤行や感謝会での拝礼行事は 生かされている ありがたさを形に表現し 意識することのできる貴重な時間であり 良い癖づけ でもあります 感謝のご挨拶 の繰り返しによって 感謝 の心を持続させ向上させていくことができるのです 解脱のみ教えでは 私たち人間は神仏のおかげによって 生かされている と教えられます ですから いかなる状況においても神仏に対しては まず 感謝 を申し上げることが基本です 生かされている 自分であることのありがたさを頭では理解していても その気持ちは時間とともに薄らいでいくものです ともすると感謝どころか不平不満だらけの毎日を過ごしかねません 私は朝は苦手なのですが 毎朝自宅のご神前で静かに座り 神仏に感謝のご挨拶を申し上げ ご先祖様と関係諸霊に天茶のご供養を捧げます 私たち解脱会員は 天茶供養を通じて 私たちの生命につながる祖先そして私たちを蔭ながら支えてくださっている万物の存在を常に意識させていただくことができます そして夕方には 朝と同じくご神前でのご挨拶 天茶のご供養そして一日の反省をし 感謝の気持ちで一日を終えるようにします 朝夕の勤行のおかげで いつも 感謝 を忘れず 活き活きと毎日をおつかいいただくことができます このように 解脱会の拝礼行事と朝夕の勤行は 日々の生活における 感謝 の実践行です ただ 形 を整えることのみに心をとらわれて 形式主義に流れ

11 てしまわないように気を付けてください 大切なのは 形 ではなく 私たちの 心 です 日々の生活において 良い癖づけ をして より幸せな毎日を過ごされますことをお祈りします Lecture by Sr. Deacon Jackson Ito 1 人生は霊格を高めるためのチャンスである首席開教師補佐 ジャクソン伊藤 死の稽古 ということ なぜ私は生まれてきたのだろうか? 世界中の文化や宗教 信仰などの違いを超えて昔から現在までいたるところでこの質問は繰り返されています この質問に対して私が一番納得できる答えを得たのは 英訳された 解脱金剛とその教義 を読んだ時です その本の第二篇第三章 修験道について の中で 解脱 ( 悟り ) への道は 六道と四聖の十界に分かれていると書かれています これはつまり私たちの使命とはできる限り神の生活 ( 四聖 ) に近づくよう自己を改革していくことだと私は解釈しています 六道 ( 地獄 餓鬼 畜生 修羅 人間 天上 ) はそれぞれ上に行くにしたがって物質的な欠乏状態から充足に向かっていきます しかし 物質的な充足が進んでいくこと自体は四聖に入ることにつながるわけではなく また 物質的な不足が精神的な四聖への入り口を閉ざすわけでもありません 御修業中 生前中に知らずして犯した罪を 肉体が死んだあと 深く後悔している霊魂にかわってお詫びをしてほしいとおたのみを受けることがあります それは 霊魂は肉体的な死後 欲求を満たすための物質的な充足が不要になり 全ての物事を自分本位のわがままな主観的な見方から脱却し 初めて物事を客観的に捉えることができるようになるからです これに気が付いたときから おそらく高校生より前だったと思いますが 私は死んだらすぐに この宇宙 世界の全ての謎がわかるに違いないと考えていました さらに早く さらに賢く 死んだらそうなれると信じていました この頃はまだ 1990 年代中頃から始まったパソコンによる大量の情報とデータの送受信が可能になる時代よりだいぶ前の 1950 年代後半から 1960 年代前半の頃でした しかし 肉体的な死後に何が正しくて何が正しくないのかを見分けることができたとしても それを実践できなければ霊魂にとって苦痛でしかなく後悔しか 残りません それが金剛さまがよく言われた 死の稽古 の意味ではないかと思います もし生きているうちに 正しい知識をもとに実践する肉体があるうちに 死後に分かることを前もって知ることができたら 全てが可能な最高の世の中になるでしょう 現世を無駄にしたくないもし 死んだときに宇宙の謎を解明できるのだとしたら どうしてその知識を生まれ変わった時に使わないのでしょうか? なぜかわかりませんが ただそのようにはなっていないようです 多くの西洋人は輪廻転生に対する興味から仏教に魅力を感じています 一般的に お釈迦様は悟りを得る前に何度か輪廻転生したと言われています 1つ1 つの前世の中で霊格を高める機会が与えられやがてお釈迦様になった しかし 生まれ変わりを望んでいる多くの人たちは今の人生を自身の霊格を高めるためのチャンスと捉えていません そうでなければ 今頃現世において 目的を達成するために努力しているでしょう ほとんどの人はただ単に死んだらそれで終わりではなく 生まれ変わってもう一度違う人生を生きることができることを確認したいだけです もし私が生まれ変わりたいかどうか聞かれたら 答えは No! です 生まれ変わりたいと思うことは 現世において自分自身が十分に成長できなかったことを認めなければならないということで それはつまりこの現世を無駄にしてしまったということです それは言い換えれば 小学校を落第し もう一度一年生からやり直さなければいけないようなものです 単なる私の個人的な考えですが ( 原文は解脱教会ホームページでご覧いただけます ) 掲示板 瀧先生来訪スケジュール 2 月 17 日にロサンゼルスに到着し 4 月 27 日まで滞在 その間 2/28 3/8 はハワイの予定です LA 教会モロンゴ カジノ バスツアーバスは 3 月 25 日土曜 朝 8 時に教会を出発します 帰りは教会に午後 6 時頃に戻る予定です バス料金は一人 25 ドル 昼食は各自でお取りいただきます アウトレット モールに隣接していますのでショッピングもできます ぜひ友人をお誘いしご参加ください 希望者は 教会ロビーのサインシートにお名前をご記入ください

12 GEDATSU COMPANION Vol. 68 No. 2 February 2017 The Gedatsu Companion is published monthly for members like Ernest Ogawa of Las Vegas, Nev. Born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii, Ernest was exposed to Gedatsu through his mother, Peggy Ogawa, who joined the Gedatsu Hawaii Church in 1973 and passed away in Gedatsu Church USA Los Angeles Branch 7850 Hill Drive South San Gabriel, CA NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID EL MONTE, CA PERMIT NO. 110 Ernest officially became a member of the L.A. Church in I have a small altar in my home, where I perform my basic daily prayers and amacha kuyo, he says. An electrician by trade, Ernest is currently working on a solar project in southeast Monterey County, which allows him to travel and visit the L.A. Church when he can. In his spare time, he enjoys fishing and bodyboarding. Rev. Kazuo Yamada, Editor Joyce Reid, Editor-in-Chief Yoko Yamada, Photographer Editorial contributors to this issue: Rev. Tatsunori Kamiya, Tomoko Kamiya, Sr. Deacon Jackson Ito, Rev. George Matsuhashi, Ernest Ogawa, Rev. Naoya Okano, Jo Ann Shiroishi, Rev. Hisakazu Taki, Calvin Tanaka ( Can t Stop Praying Continued from page 8) After that, my kids did not get sick so often. I learned not to be too nervous and believe in the natural vitality of kids. This is the right prayer of mothers, I believe. She continued, Trust is very important. No one can completely understand others. Family is family because members trust each other. It is the same as between a husband and a wife. When I pray for something, I always pray with my husband. She said that she always has conversations with her husband in her mind, such as Let s eat together, even when she eats lunch or drinks tea separately. She explained, In that way, the thinking of a wife and husband becomes closer. They become one in the end. When a husband and a wife pray with each other like that, they can feel peace in their minds and joy fills their hearts. That is the true prayer, I think. She smiled. Reiko and Toshiichi Kishida and son Norio