GEDATSU COMPANION NOVEMBER 2014 INSIDE THIS ISSUE. Just as the sun and rain nurture everything on earth, fathers and mothers care for their children.

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1 November 2014 Vol. 65 No. 11 GEDATSU COMPANION GEDATSU CHURCH USA INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 News and Announcements 3 Dear Reverend: My children would rather attend another church with their friends. What can I do? 3 The Wonderful Power of Amacha Blessing 5 Photo Story: Autumn Moon Festival 6 Gedatsu Kongo s Shinko Practice of Sincerity and Commentary Upcoming Events 9 September Offerings Gedatsu Kongo s Thought for the Month Just as the sun and rain nurture everything on earth, fathers and mothers care for their children. When you observe Nature, you find two opposing aspects. For example, the sun generously gives its energy to everything on earth, but it can also bring drought, in which vegetation perishes. Rain nurtures everything, but prolonged rains cause floods and destruction. Thus, Nature has two opposing functions, but both are necessary for life and growth. The same is true of parental care. Parents encourage their children, but sometimes strictly admonish them, just like the sun. They embrace their children with love, just like tender rain. When parents are aware of their roles and respect each other, their children will grow up well and strongly. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA NOVEMBER 2014 Sun 9 9:30am Sunday Service & Ajikan Meditation Gedatsu Kongo Birthday Sun 23 9:30 am Sunday Service & Ajikan Meditation SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Sun 2 10:00 am Japanese & English Kanshakai Service Gedatsu Kongo Memorial Service Sun 9 No Service, Church Open (until noon) Sat 15 7:00 am Stateline Casino Turnaround Sun 16 10:00 am Japanese & English Kanshakai Service Children s Celebration Gedatsu Kongo Birthday Service Sun 23 10:00 am English Kanshakai Service Ajikan Meditation Thu-Fri 27 & 28 Church Closed (Thanksgiving Holiday) NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Sun 14 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA DECEMBER :30am Last Sunday Service of the Year Archbishop Kishida Memorial Service All Souls Service and Church Clean-up Sun 7 10:00 am Japanese & English Kanshakai Service Archbishop Kishida Memorial Service Sun 14 10:00 am Church Clean-up Sun 21 10:00 am Japanese & English Kanshakai Service Christmas Service and Musical Program Wed Wed Church Closed (Tue 30 open until noon)

2 NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Hot Festival, Cool Prizes The Autumn Moon Festival and Crafts Faire L.A. Church s annual fundraiser was held in early October amid sweltering, 100-plus temperatures. Many thanks to everyone who worked hard to support the event! (See photos on page 5.) The prizes and winners of the Festival raffle: 1 st : Apple ipad Air Mr./Ms. Chanamone 2 nd : Samsung 32 LED TV June Kizu 3 rd : Dr. Dre Headphone Sarah Wakasa 4 th : Fitbit Wireless Wristband Kari Kuritani 5 th : Studio Family Portrait Mr./Ms. Lianne Chau We thank the following firms/organizations for prize donations: Montery Park Mustangs Basketball Association, Gedatsu USA Kendo Dojo, J. Morey Company, Toyo Miyatake. Children Ages 7, 5 and 3 To Be Celebrated If you have children, grandchildren, nieces and/or nephews who are seven, five or three years old, the L.A. Church urges you to have them participate in the Shichi-go-san (Seven, Five, Three) Festival, which will be held on Sunday, November 16. Following the Japanese tradition, we will pray at the Ujigami shrine for the children s good health and happy lives. Please sign the application form for your child to participate. Renew Your Church Membership for 2015 Gedatsu Church USA is supported entirely through pledges, donations and membership dues. As a member, your annual dues help pay for everything from upkeep of church facilities to programs. Please renew your membership dues now. Mail or deliver your check made payable to Gedatsu Church USA to your nearest church branch. Individual $45 Family $70 Additional Fees Women s Club (Toban) $5 Year-End Membership Roster Any Changes? The 2015 annual Seasons Greetings roster of members is currently being compiled and updated. Advise Rev. Yamada (yamadagedatsula@gmail.com) at the L.A. Church if you have any changes to your mailing address, phone number or address. All changes must be received by December 1. Order Your Kuyo Plaques by November 2 Kuyo plaques should be replaced at the beginning of each year. To have new plaques by New Year 2015, complete the order form (at your church or in last month s newsletter) and mail it by November 2 nd to your local church, along with your check for payment. Casino Bus Turnaround L.A. members and friends will travel by bus to Stateline, NV, for fun and games on Saturday, November 15. The bus leaves the L.A. Church at 7 a.m. If you re interested in going, sign up at the church. Cost is $35 per person. Guest Minister Schedule Gedatsu USA again welcomes Rev. H. Taki in November. His year-end schedule is as follows: Los Angeles Nov. 19 Dec. 3 Honolulu Dec Sacramento Dec Los Angeles Dec Obituaries L.A. Church member Hitoshi Matsumoto passed away on September 14 at the age of 89. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Tetsuya and Sachiyo Matsumoto; daughters and sons-in-law, Yoko and Yoshihisa Hirayama and Etsuko and Yuji Takahashi; and grandchildren, Yuko Hirayama, Kumi Chinen, Satoshi and Wataru Matsumoto and Riye Takahashi. 2 P a g e

3 DEAR REVEREND Q A I would like our family to attend the Sunday Gedatsu services, but my children prefer to be with their friends in the local Buddhist church. What should I do? I understand how you feel. It would be nice if your children could attend the Sunday Gedatsu services with you. I don t know how old your children are, but if your children prefer to go to the local Buddhist church with their friends, I recommend you respect your children s preference and wait until they become interested in Gedatsu teachings. Please continue to go to the Sunday Gedatsu services by yourself, practice Gedatsu teachings at home and be a good parent to your children. Make your children feel, My mother is a very caring and loving mother. That s probably because she is studying Gedatsu. Maybe I should go to the Sunday Gedatsu services with her. If you were mean and grumpy, your children would think, Why is my mother so mean and grumpy in spite of studying Gedatsu teachings? I don t want to go to the Sunday Gedatsu services with her. Just plant some seeds of Gedatsu... You never know when buds will appear. The Gedatsu teaching is nonsectarian. Gedatsu accepts people from various religious backgrounds. Our Founder encouraged people who came to the Gedatsu Church to keep their family religion and study Gedatsu to be a better person who can contribute to society. Even though your children choose not to go to the Sunday Gedatsu services, please don t be sad. It is possible that your grandchildren may become interested in Gedatsu teachings in the future. In fact, although my wife s grandmother was a Gedatsu member, her mother wasn t. More than 20 years after her grandmother s death, my wife began to study Gedatsu because she remembered the word Gedatsu. My Gedatsu teachers used to tell me, Just plant some seeds of Gedatsu while you are alive. You never know when buds will appear. Children are gifts from God, and we cannot control them. What you can do is to tell your children that you feel so happy because you have been studying Gedatsu teachings and you are blessed with wonderful children. I hope you keep showing your gratitude and become a role model as a Gedatsu follower. OUR GEDATSU STUDY The Wonderful Power of Amacha Blessing One of the unique, sacred practices of our Gedatsu Church is the performance of Amacha blessing, in which we dedicate our sincere prayers and gratitude to God and all living things, and pray for the peaceful repose of our deceased ancestors and unrested spirits. We accomplish this by pouring Amacha holy tea over memorial tablets or stupa (as shown at left) on which souls are invited to receive the blessing. The service can be done by anyone, even young children. Yet, while simple to perform, the service is profound in its effect. When done with complete sincerity and faith, Amacha blessing can transmit our feeling of gratitude to the universe and bring peace and comfort for unrested spirits, no matter how dire their suffering. Among our ancestors, there are many ancestral spirits who are suffering because of their misdeeds often karmic in nature or earthly attachments. They cannot be purified or find repose through our recitation of prayers and offerings alone. To be purify ancestral karma, Amacha blessing is necessary. The practice of Amacha blessing was discovered by Founder Gedatsu Kongo through his divine inspiration and spiritual power. Our Founder instructed us to perform Amacha blessing as a central practice in our daily prayers, not only to purify deceased souls, but as a means to bring comfort to all entities and purify our own minds, souls and bodies. The miraculous ability of Amacha blessing to bring relief to suffering souls and purify negative karma results from the combination of three (Continued on page 4) Rev. Tatsunori Kamiya 3 P a g e

4 essential elements: the power of the Holy Goho, the intrinsic qualities of Amacha holy tea and the performer s sincerity. Let s look at each of these elements more closely. The Holy Goho The term Goho, as used in the Gedatsu doctrine, represents no less than the dynamic concentration of cosmic forces: the infinite and inexhaustible Universal Life Force, or God, and the representation of its activities. These forces are manifest in the combination of five Sanscrit characters representing the five elements of the universe earth, water, fire wind and air which were inscribed by Gedatsu Kongo while in a state of divine revelation. It is not I who writes the Holy Goho, Gedatsu Kongo stated. I merely copy the image I receive from Heaven. A circle, a square, a triangle... everything I write is the Holy Goho. Today, the image of the Holy Goho is woodblock printed by Abbot Okano, replicated from the original Goho engraved by the Founder. We recognize these as the red-inked characters on Kuyo plaques and stupa and on holy amulets issued by the church. All writings of the Founder whether original or copies are imbued with the spirit of Gedatsu Kongo and, therefore, are activated with his spiritual power. Amacha HeavenlyTea Our Amacha tea is derived from the Amacha plant, a deciduous tree of the Hydrangea family. It is grown and harvested at the foot of Mt. Kurohime in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, where Amacha was purchased even when Gedatsu Kongo was alive. (Amacha bloom and factory shown below.) The term Amacha is commonly translated as sweet tea, because the tea contains a natural sweetener that is many times sweeter than table sugar. The tea is often associated with the celebration of the birth of the Buddha, when Buddhists sprinkle the sweet tea over the image of the infant Buddha. Amacha leaves have been used as herbs and for medicinal purposes since the Middle Ages. They are believed to improve the condition of the body organs and purify the blood. Instead of sweet tea, the Gedatsu Church writes Amacha as heavenly or holy tea in the belief that it is conferred by God for holy purposes. Gedatsu Kongo discovered the mysterious efficacy of Amacha to bless and purify spirits. He also encouraged members to drink it for health and spiritual reasons. The Founder himself often enjoyed taking an Amacha bath to reinvigorate himself, physically and spiritually. (Read how to prepare Amacha tea on back page.) Sincerity and Faith The third essential element that determines the effectiveness of Amacha blessing rests within ourselves: the degree of sincerity and faith we bring to the performance of the Amacha service. This involves our emersion in a prayerful attitude in which we submit ourselves meaning our egos fully to the Universal Life Force. It is a state of mind in which our attitude of I am doing gives way to a higher consciousness of I am allowed to do. Submission of the ego is no small feat, but it is nonetheless essential in order for true sincerity and faith to shine forth. Reaching such a state is transformative, not only in our ability to bring peace and happiness to unrested spirits, but in purifying our own souls and elevating our characters, as well. (Next issue: Varieties and methods of Amacha blessing; miraculous experiences through Amacha blessing) [Editor Note: The Companion is indebted to Archbishop Kishida, Rev. Sakamoto, Rev. Sebe, Rev. Taki and Rev. Yamada, whose writings and sermons were referenced in this article.] 4 P a g e

5 AUTUMN MOON FESTIVAL Los Angeles Church, October 4 and 5 5 P a g e

6 OUR GEDATSU STUDY e SHINKO (Sincere Practice) By Gedatsu Kongo Practice of Sincerity (1) When one has reached the state of sincerity, it can be said that he has come in contact with the essence of God. For example, when one encounters extreme hardships and acutely feels the inadequacies of human power... or when one faces a life-or-death situation, having exhausted all human resources... one then resigns himself to fate or passively beseeches God s aid. At such times, he is conscious of God. Furthermore, in society, when we come in contact with miraculous or mysterious phenomena beyond comprehension, we wonder if these are evidence of so-called divine providence. Actually, there are many instances when one is astonished at encountering strange spiritual phenomena, which confound human intellect and common sense. These must be labeled miraculous or mysterious. To have these experiences provides the opportunity to be spiritually awakened and to know God the first step toward religious faith. If one persists on relying on one s own abilities, being arrogant and presumptuous, or dim-witted and apathetic, there is no deliverance. Such people must be considered eternally spiritually blind, wandering aimlessly and confused, progressing along a dangerous and reckless course of life. At an age when the world is undergoing grave and critical changes, man should awaken spiritually, or he will likely forfeit the opportunity forever. The object of worship must be precise. If you toy with vague concepts such as gods or deities, you will not be able to grasp it. Or if you are involved in false spiritual entities, which are without any kind of lineage or organization, there is a danger of being led astray. All beings on earth including man, of course must observe the authority of Tenjinchigi, or the Supreme God of the Universe, live in conformance with that authority and render services. Mankind s singular mission is to realize this Divine Will on earth. In a sense, man is a descendant of Tenjinchigi. * * * Although I may say gods and deities under the authority of Tenjinchigi, the concept is so expansive and vague that one will find it difficult to comprehend. But, the universe in its entirety is the manifestation of God, and God resides in the interior of all things. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to regard all things as Divine Beings, and express profound respect. This attitude is the beginning of religious faith. All beings have the same root, God. Even a mountain, river, tree, grass, man or beast all have their respective presiding deity, who is under the authority of God, Commander of the Universe. One must, first of all, clearly become aware of the diverse and complex universal phenomena and the organization of the higher realms of the spiritual world. Thereafter, each person, regardless of his faith, should earnestly strive to follow the correct path toward the central Supreme God. (To be continued next month) 6 P a g e

7 Commentary on Shinko by Rev. H. Taki: Gedatsu Kongo stated, The fundamental path of human life is to be conscious of God, to communicate with God, and to live according to the Divine Will. He also stated, When one has reached the state of sincerity, it can be said he has come in contact with the essence of God. This is the most fundamental path to communicate with God and live according to God s Will. While this path is open to everyone, it is very difficult to reach the state of sincerity. What is sincerity? It is a state of mind where the ego is lost. Normally, we live our lives concerned about our egos. There may be times, however, when we encounter events that we cannot manage by our will alone. For example, when you hover between life and death because of a grave illness, or when you suffer serious injury in an accident, you feel helpless. Even if you do not believe in God, you instinctively pray for help to something beyond your own power and intellect. At such a time, it can be said that you are experiencing a state of sincerity. When we hear news that a baby is the lone survivor of an airplane crash, or encounter people who experience spiritual phenomena, we realize there must exist a mysterious power beyond human intelligence. Through these experiences, we come to touch the spiritual realm. Recognizing that We Are Allowed to Live Gedatsu Kongo explained that the first and most important requisite for our religious faith is humility. He identified three types of people who cannot attain religious faith: those who only trust their own power, those who are arrogant, and those who are insensitive or indifferent to others. We should be aware that we are nurtured and supported by others, and appreciate the immeasurable blessings we receive from all beings in the universe. When we become aware that we are allowed to live by God and that we are nurtured by all creation, we naturally feel grateful for their blessings and become humble. This becomes the first step towards religious faith. Gedatsu Kongo stated, At an age when the world is undergoing grave and critical changes, man should awaken spiritualy, or he will likely forfeit the opportunity forever. He wrote this book, Shinko, in May of 1942, when Japan was in a serious situation in the world. War between Japan and the U.S. had broken out the previous year. During this time of national emergency, he urged Gedatsu members to spiritually awaken. This was his motivation in writing this book. Choosing, Knowing the Correct Path It is important in our faith to understand precisely the object of worship first to be certain of the direction we are heading in our religious faith and practice. The main object of worship must be Tenjinchigi, or the Supreme God of the Universe, which allows all beings on earth to exist. We should appreciate the blessings of Tenjinchigi. This must be the beginning of our religious faith. Tenjinchigi s Will is the law of the universe. Therefore, when we live in accordance with the universal law, we will be able to live happily. Gedatsu Kongo also stated, If you are involved in false spiritual entities, which are without any kind of lineage of organization, there is a danger of being led astray. He pointed out the danger of a wrong path, which so-called psychics may tend to follow. People who have psychic power sometimes see various spiritual entities and mysterious phenomena. They are usually overconfident of their psychic powers and tend to be lost in religious study by only chasing spiritual entities they can see. This attitude will often lead them to a wrong path in life. Gedatsu Kongo stated that man is assigned with a special duty to realize God s Will on earth. All creatures, except man, must live in accordance with the universal law. That is, they cannot disobey God s Will. Only man has the freedom of choice. Man must physically live according to the natural law, as our physical bodies function according to Continued on page 8 7 P a g e

8 Commentary Continued from page 7 the law of the universe. However, we can choose either a path in accordance with God s Will or a path against it. This is man s uniqueness. It is because of this that man needs religion. Only through correct religious faith and practice will man be able to live according to God s Will, or the universal law. Gedatsu Kongo explained the nature of Tenjinchigi, or God of the Universe. He stated, The universe in its entirety is the manifestation of God, and God resides in the interior of all things. All beings have the same root, God. Even a mountain, river, tree, grass, man or beast they all have their respective presiding deity who is under the authority of God. This is Gedatsu Kongo s view on God, deities, and the universe. This is also Japanese religious tradition from ancient times. Japanese people have respected all natural phenomena as the manifestation of God. They believe all beings, such as mountains, rivers, trees, plants, humans and animals, have their respective presiding deity. Everything in this universe is divine. Everything is respected and revered as Divine Beings. Being Open to Different Views Here, Christianity differs. Christians believe that God created everything. All creation, including humans, is apart from God, the Creator. This is the basic Christian thought. But Gedatsu Kongo stated, The universe in its entirety is the manifestation of God, and God resides in the interior of all things. Therefore, it is of great importance of the heart to regard all things as Divine Beings, and express profound respect. Buddhist thought is similar to Japanese traditional faith. Buddhists believe that all beings, such as mountains, rivers, plants and trees, have divine nature. I believe this is the major difference between Western and Eastern thought. We cannot say which is superior, but only to know the difference and learn from each other. Without this mutual understanding, there cannot be coexistence and mutual development of the Western and Eastern worlds. Although it is very hard, I believe this is possible. Try to be open to other traditions and learn from them. Know the difference between Western (Christian) thoughts and Eastern (Gedatsu) thoughts. You will then be able to create a world of mutual understanding and coexistence UPCOMING EVENTS Jan 1 (Thu) New Year s Homage Jan 2-3 (Fri-Sat) Church Closed Jan 11 (Sun) Sacramento First Service of the Year Jan 18 (Sun) L.A. New Year s Service (Japanese & English) Potluck and Gift Exchange Jan 20 (Tue) Church Closed (in lieu of Martin Luther King Day) Feb 15 (Sun) Feb 17 (Tue) Mar 13 (Fri) Mar 14 (Sat) Mar 15 (Sun) Mar 21 (Sat) Mar 22 (Sun) Apr 12 (Sun) May 10 (Sun) May 17 (Sun) May 26 (Tue) L.A. Sun Spirit Service (Japanese & English) Church Closed (in lieu of Presidents Day) Propagation Meeting 10 a.m. Board of Directors Meeting 1 p.m. L.A. Higan Service (Japanese & English) L.A. Stateline Turnaround (TBD) 7 a.m. Sacramento Higan Service Spring Grand Festival 10 a.m. Sacramento Joen-no-gi (plaque burning) L.A. Events Meeting (after service) Church Closed (in lieu of Memorial Day) Jun 14 (Sun) Sacramento Kiyota Sensei Memorial Service Jun 21 (Sun) L.A. Kiyota Sensei Memorial Service / Father s Day service Jun Rokujizo Bazaar Sacramento 11 a.m. Jul 4 (Sat) Church Closed Jul 12 (Sun) 35 th Anniversary of Gedatsu Church Hawaii Jul 19 (Sun) L.A. Obon Service / Graduates Honored Jul 26 (Sun) Sacramento Obon Service Jul 26 (Sun) L.A. Event Meeting Aug 8 (Sat) Aug 16 (Sun) Lake Tahoe Benzaiten Service (TBD) L.A. Benzaiten Service 8 P a g e

9 SEPTEMBER 2014 OFFERINGS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA $5 $49: R. Ide, S. Shimazu, R. Nakatani, J. Tanaka, D. Ide, S. Taketa, M. Kimura, T. Miyamoto, M. Fujushima, M/M D. Tsuboi, Y. Oishi, S. Tanaka, V. Mizokami, B./J. Sakamoto, M/M A. Shiroishi, M. Michiuye, K. Gibson, B. Ide, A. Okimura, J. Hamamoto-Chou $50 $99: T. Murakami, M. Mori, T. Murakami, M/M S. Sekikawa, M/M C. Tanaka, N. Johnston, V,S,S Matsuura, P&E Ogawa, M/M A. Akashi, M/M S. Shaklan, M. Fukushima, T. Nagao, M/M B. Hamamoto, M/M K. Kuritani, M. Kubo, M/M R. Tsujimura, M. Numata, M/M Kevin Kuritani, R. Nakatani, Y. Oishi, M. Michiuye, M/M H. Tsujimura, M/M D. Harada, M/M P. Young, C. Tagawa, M./J. Takara, J. Tanaka, M/M M. Okada, S. Tanaka $100+: Harada/Nakano, N. Takara, S. Nishino, K.&M. Kimura, Rev. T. Kamiya, T. Okimura, Kari Kuritani, K. Kitasoe, A.&S. Nishino, S. Yokota, Rev. N. Okano, T. & M. Nakamura, Rev. H. Taki, M/M Okada, T/I Hirami, D. Shiroishi, C. Barthel, C. Umeda, M/M M. Murakami, F. Miyamura, S. Kaku, J. Kaku, M/M S. Sekikawa, M/M T. Fukushima, T. Ishida, C. Tsujimura, J. Shiroishi, M/M R. Ito, M/M C. Morioka, K. Fujii, T. Wakabayashi $200+: M/M S. Akashi, Rev. S. Matsuhashi, M. Oyanagi/ J. Mah, Rev. K. Yamada, Rev. A./D. Sebe, M/M P. Reid, C. Tanaka $300+: Senkakukan Sword Group, S. Matsumoto, $500+: J. Ito, S. Matsuda, M/M S. Mukai $1,000+: K. Sasaki Special Acknowledgment: S. Tanaka In Memory of Yone Akiyama $5 S. & T. Tochi In Memory of Katherine Sato $40 J. & M. Takara In Memory of Joe Takara $50 M/M K. Kuritani In Memory of Sumiko Tsujimura $50 M/M R. Tsujimura In Memory of Sumiko Tsujimura $75 K. Kuritani In Memory of Sumiko Tsujimura $100 M/M H. Tsujimura In Memory of Sumiko Tsujimura & J. Yamamisaka $100 N. Takara In Memory of Joe Takara $100 C. Barthel In Memory of Joe Takara $100 M/M T. Harada 60 th Wedding Anniversary $100 M. Harada 90 th Birthday $100 M/M S. Fujikawa Blessing of Stockton House $100 T. Ishida In Memory of Junnosuke / Eiko Ishida $200 N. Morioka /Family In Memory of June Morioka $250 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA $5 $49: J. Kaku, M. Mori, M. Numata, T. Okazaki, T. Toyama, E. Ogawa, M/M A. Shiroishi, M/M Katsuo Chinen, M/M T. Hirami, M. Michiuye, M/M V. Mizokami, M/M E. Magauran, M/M M. Hamada, G. Hirami, R. Nakamura, M/M B. Hamamoto, N. Takara $50 $99: Kari Kuritani, M/M S. Mukai, M/M M. Murakami, T. Murakami, P. Ogawa, Y. Oishi, T. Okimura, F. Sueyoshi, M/M Howard Tsujimura, M/M R. Tsujimura, M/M M. Huang, R. Kageyama, M/M K. Kimura, M/M Ken Kuritani $100+: M/M F. Barthel, K. Fujii, M/M T. Fukushima, D. Allum, T. Ishida, J. Ito, T. Nakamura, J. Shiroishi, M/M K. Yamada, Rev. H. Taki, M/M M. Okada $200+: N. Okano, D. Shiroishi $300+: M/M T. Matsumoto, D. Tomita $3,300: 65 th Anniversary Japan Tour Group Special Acknowledgment: D. Tomita Tomita / Katako Ancestor Kuyo $200 A. Yokota Tomita / Katako Ancestor Kuyo $200 A. Tomita Tomita Ancestor Blessing $100 T. Oleary Family Blessings $100 K. Kato Family Blessings $100 M/M K. Shiroishi In Honor of Rev. Jerry and Helen Shiroishi 100 th Birth Year $1,000 F. Miyamura Ancestor Blessings $100 J. Ito Charter Bus Donation For 65 th Anniversary $2,664 Wakayama Appreciation for Parking Use $200 Kenjin Kai M/M T. Matsumoto Appreciation for Old Plaques $20 C. Taniguchi Appreciation for Funeral for Kijiro Taniguchi $300 F. Miyamura Mr. Miyamura Charitable Fund $3,000 Correction In the October 2014 issue of the Gedatsu Companion, the caption under the photo of Founder Gedatsu Kongo on page 6 misidentified his location as the Tokyo Dojo. In fact, the locale was likely an early member s home in a rural prefecture of Japan. Editor 9 P a g e

10 11 月度教会行事予定 ロサンゼルス教会 2( 日 )10:00A 日英感謝会 解脱金剛年祭法要 9( 日 ) 教会正午まで 15( 土 ) 7:00A ステートライン ツアー 16( 日 )10:00A 日英感謝会 七五三 解脱金剛ご生誕祭 23( 日 )10:00A 英語感謝会 阿字観法 27( 木 ) 28( 金 ) 教会休み ( サンクスギビング ) サクラメント教会 9( 日 ) 9:30A 感謝会 解脱金剛ご生誕祭 23( 日 ) 9:30A 感謝会 阿字観法 11 月度みさとし 父は陽となり 母は雨となりて私達をいつくしむ 大自然のはたらきを観察するとき そこに大きく分けて相反する二つのはたらきがあることに気づきます たとえば 太陽は地上の万物に熱と光を降り注ぎ生命を育んでくれていますが 日照りが続き旱魃になれば地上の動植物は枯れ果て死に絶えてしまいます また 雨も地上の万物を潤し育んでくれますが 雨が降り続くと洪水を引き起こしすべてを破壊してしまいます このように 大自然のはたらきには二つの側面があり しかもその両者が相俟って地上の一切を生成化育してくれているのです それと同様のことが 子育てにおいてもいえるのではないでしょうか 父親は太陽のように子供を励まし ときには厳しく諭します 一方 母親は慈雨のように子供をやさしく抱き育みます 父母が各自の役割を自覚し互いに尊重し合うとき はじめて一家における調和した教育は実現するのです 解脱人生相談 10 解脱は偶像崇拝か? 質問 わたしはユダヤ教徒ですが 解脱会の御神前に祀られている解脱金剛さまの御尊影に対して祈りをささげるとき いつも困惑をおぼえます なぜならそれが ユダヤ教で厳しく禁じられている偶像崇拝であると感じるからです 会祖をいったいなぜそのようなかたちで崇めなければならないのでしょうか ( 米国教会の御神前には金剛さまの御尊影が掲げられているところから このよう な質問が投げかけられたものである ) 回答 解脱教会の御神前には三柱の礼拝対象が祀られています 宇宙生命の根源を神として神道形式で祀った天神地祇太神が中央に 同じく宇宙生命活動を宇宙仏の五種の智慧のはたらきと見立てて仏教形式で祀った五智如来が左側に そして右側には解脱の教えをひらかれた会祖解脱金剛さまのおみたまとその御尊影が祀られています しかしもちろん金剛さまの生前中には そのおみたまが御神前に祀られるということはありませんでした 金剛さまのご遷化後 その弟子である当時の先輩方が 偉大な師である金剛さまに対する感謝と敬愛の念をこめて そのおみたまを御神前にお祀りしたのです 金剛さまはご遷化後も師としてわれわれを常に見守り教え導いてくださっているとわれわれは信じており そのご加護とお導きに感謝をささげ 解脱の教えのまにまに世のため人のためにお使いいただくことをお誓い申し上げるために 金剛さまのおみたまを御神前にお祀りしているのです ですからこれは偶像崇拝ではありません われわれが会祖に対して敬意と尊崇の念をささげることが 宇宙神 ( 天神地祇太神 ) を尊崇することの上位にあるものとされているわけでも またそれに取って代わるものと考えられているわけでもないのです もともと御神前には金剛さまの御尊影は祀られていませんでした ただ 金剛さまのお名前が記された御位牌が祀られていただけです 後年になってから ご挨拶を申し上げる際 御尊影があった方が心のなかに金剛さまをイメージしやすいという判断から 御尊影が御神前に掲げられるようになったのです しかしながら今回の質問によって あなたのような解脱以外の宗教を信仰する人の目に 解脱教会の御神前がどのように映るのかがよくわかり これまで解脱以外の宗教伝統に対する配慮が足りなかったかもしれないと反省させられました あなたからの質問がなければ このことに気づくこともなかったかもしれず その意味で今回ご指摘をいただいたことに感謝しています 今後 この問題についてさらに議論を深め アメリカの人々に真にふさわしい解脱の御神前のかたちとはどのようなものであるかを検討していきたいと思っております しかし現在のところは 上に述べたことをご理解くださり 現在のかたちにしたがっていただきたいと思います ( 回答者 : 瀧久和 )

11 紙上講話 結果から学ぶ ( 因縁シリーズ 4) 山田一雄連載がとぎれとぎれになりましたので まず前回までの要点を整理したいと思います 因縁 因果の法則を学ぶ上で最も重要な点は 少なくとも自己に生じた出来事に関しては 因を自分の外に探し求めるのではなく 自分の内に求めるべきだということです つまり 自己に生じた結果は 過去から現在にいたる過程の中で その折々の自分の心と行ないが因となって縁を結び 今日の結果を生じさせたわけですから まずは 自分の意思と行動が今日の結果に関係してきた 因 なのだという前提に立つべきなのです これを昔の先生方はよく 結果から学ぶんだよ と単純明快にお諭しくださいました それは 結果から それを生じさせた因である自分の心や行ないを見つめ直し それを是正していきなさい という意味です それにより 自己の至らなかった点 すなわち自己の魂の課題に気づければ 自己成長やより良き人生を築く糸口になるというわけです 解脱金剛さまが 蒔かない種は生えないのだ その種をいかに浄化していくかが精進なのだ とお諭しくださいましたが そのような精進のあり方こそが 因縁 因果の法則が支配する人生においての人格陶冶 ( とうや ) の学びとなるのです その意味で人生は魂を練磨する修業の場なのです 結果は 自らの心が反映されたもの因果の法則に基づけば 自己に生じた結果は自らの心と行ないが因となって縁と結びついて生じたのですから 当然 その結果は 自分の心と行ないが映し出されたもの なのです これはよく 投影の法則 とか 鏡の法則 という観点で語られることがありますが 結果から学ぶんだよ という教えもそれに基づくものです しかし これらの法則も 因果の法則 の別視点にほかなりません 太陽の光線をプリズムに通すと七色に分かれるように 宇宙の法則も様々な視点に立って見れば 元は一つでも様々な法則性が見てとれるわけです これらの法則が教えることは 周囲の出来事は 自分の中にあるものが鏡のように外に映し出されている ということです たとえば イソップ物語の ウサギとカメ の話では 足の速いウサギが足ののろいカメをバカにして競争をしかけますが ウサギが途中でうたた寝をし 結果として負けてしまいます 相手をバカにし自分がバカを見たという話ですが その 結果にはウサギ自身の心と行ないが映し出されているのです ウサギの敗因には うたた寝をした 行ないと そのような行為に及んだ心の因として 相手を見下すほどの 自惚れ や 自己過信 があったわけです すなわち 自分がバカを見た結果には 相手をバカにする過去の自分の心や行ないが投影されているのです このような法則に照らし 結果は自らの心の投影だと見るときに 自己の内にある 因 がおぼろげながら見えることでしょう それが縁や結果を招く内なる因なのです 掲示板 2015 年 会費と解脱誌が新料金になります年間 個人会員費 $45 年間 家族世帯会員費 $70 年間 婦人会費 $5 年間 解脱誌 $25 解脱誌の発送を希望される方は 誌代と別に年間送料 $20 が必要です なお ヤングゲダツ は廃刊になります 各教会にある 2015 年の会費シートにお名前をご記入の上お支払いください LA 教会 ステートライン バス旅行についてバスは 11 月 15 日の土曜日 朝 7 時に教会を出発します 参加費は一人 35 ドルです ぜひお友達をお誘いし大勢さまご参加ください 希望者は教会ロビーにあるサインシートにお名前を記入ください LA 教会 七五三について 11 月 16 日 ( 日 ) の感謝会に先立ち午前 9 時半より氏神社殿にて七五三を行います 七五三に該当するお子さんがいらっしゃいましたら 早めに教会の事務所にお申し込みください 瀧先生は 11 月 19 日にロサンゼルス教会に到着され 12 月 22 日に帰国されます その間 12 月 3 日 ~11 日ハワイ教会 12 月 11 日から 16 日サクラメント教会に出講いたします 新年度の供養札はお早目に申し込み下さい 訃報 ロサンゼルス教会会員 谷口喜次郎さんにおかれましては 8 月 31 日に逝去されました 享年 85 歳 また ロサンゼルス教会会員 松本濟 ( ひとし ) さんにおかれましては 9 月 14 日に逝去されました 享年 89 歳 謹んでご冥福をお祈りいたします

12 GEDATSU COMPANION Vol. 65 No. 11 November 2014 The Gedatsu Companion is published monthly for members like Mark and Marie Ishida of San Gabriel, CA. Married for 22 years, with three children and three grandchildren between them, the couple joined Gedatsu 10 years ago. Both are public school teachers and share a passion for martial arts (they have black belts) and promoting martial arts among youths. They re the founders of Gedatsu Nippon Kempo Dojo, as well as AIJO Nippon Kempo Foundation, through which they ve raised money for disaster relief and to aid local community charities and events. 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 Rev. Kazuo Yamada, Editor Joyce Reid, Editor-in-Chief Editorial contributors to this issue: Mark and Marie Ishida, Rev. Naoya Okano, Rev. Akira Sebe, Rev. Hisakazu Taki, Calvin Tanaka, Rev. Kazuo Yamada, Yoko Yamada The Mysteries of the Amacha Tea Package Explained If you can t read Japanese and have wondered what is written on your package of Amacha Holy Tea, you re about to be enlightened. Front panel: Amacha Holy Tea Back panel: Amacha blessing makes your ancestors happy and peaceful. Your ancestors peace is your peace. Your happiness is theirs. Amacha contains the great power of Nature. That is why Gedatsu Kongo, founder of the Gedatsu Church, called it Amacha or Heavenly Tea blessing. Founder Gedatsu Kongo created Amacha blessing for all souls and spirits. The holy power of Amacha, together with the mysterious power of the Holy Goho, cleanses the ancestral souls and other spirits and enables them to rest in peace. Left panel: Add Amacha tea leaves to boiling water and let it cool. (A pinch of Amacha tea for a half-gallon of water.) For Amacha blessing, pour Amacha tea in the Amacha blessing bowl after it has cooled. Following is the English translation of the entire package, panel by panel. [Future packages will be sold with the English verbiage attached. ] Right panel: Name of product: Primary material: Additives: Selling agency: Manufacturer: Amacha, or Holy Tea Amacha None Business Division of Gedastu Kai Kurohime Factory of Gedatsu Kai Business Division