GEDATSU COMPANION MAY 2014 INSIDE THIS ISSUE. A mother s sincere practice of Gedatsu will produce a person of appreciation and gratitude.

Transcription

1 May 2014 Vol. 65 No. 5 GEDATSU COMPANION GEDATSU CHURCH USA INSIDE THIS ISSUE 2 News and Announcements 3 Meet Our Teachers: Rev. Kazuo Yamada 3 Dear Reverend: What has happened to those who have died? Where are they? 4 Gedatsu Teaching 9 and Commentary 7 A Brief History of Gedatsu USA Part 5 8 Bishop Okano s Sermon: Charting the Correct Path in Life. 9 Donations and Key Events Gedatsu Kongo s Thought for the Month MAY 2014 NORTHERN CALIFORNIA Sun 11 9:30 am Sunday Service & Ajikan Meditation Sun 25 9:30 am Sunday Service & Ajikan Meditation SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Sun 4 10:00 am Japanese Kanshakai Service Sun 11 No Service, Church Open (until noon) Sun 18 10:00 am Japanese & English Kanshakai Service Mother s Day Service Tue 20 7:30 pm GROW Meeting Sun 25 10:00 am English Kanshakai Service Ajikan Meditation Tue 27 Church Closed (in lieu of Memorial Day) A mother s sincere practice of Gedatsu will produce a person of appreciation and gratitude. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA JUNE 2014 For all that both parents love and care are essential for their children s growth, well being and outlook on life, the mother s influence, it is commonly believed, is greater than that of the father. For infants and young children especially, a mother s influence is enormous. Therefore, it follows that from the mother s character, her children s character is built. This leads us to acknowledge how important it is especially for women to study and practice Gedatsu sincerely from a young age. By virtue of their critical role in the lives of their offspring, women have the ability and power to affect future generations of mankind. Sun 8 9:30 am Sunday Service & Ajikan Meditation Mother Kiyota Memorial Service Sun 22 9:30 am Sunday Service & Ajikan Meditation Sat 28 11:00 am Rokujizo Bazaar Sun 29 11:00 am Rokujizo Bazaar SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Sun 1 10:00 am Japanese Kanshakai Service Sun 8 No Service, Church Open (until noon) Sun 15 10:00 am Japanese & English Kanshakai Service Mother Kiyota Memorial Service Father s Day Service Tue 17 7:30 pm GROW Meeting Sun 22 10:00 am English Kanshakai Service Ajikan Meditation Sat 28 11:00 am Rokujizo Bazaar in Sacramento Sun 29 11:00 am Rokujizo Bazaar in Sacramento

2 NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS Rokujizo Bazaar Raffle Tickets Now on Sale One of Gedatsu Church s biggest fundraisers of the year the annual Rokujizo Bazaar takes place Saturday and Sunday, June 28 and 29, in Sacramento. Raffle tickets for the prize drawing are on sale ($10 for a book of 12 tickets) at your church office. Support your church and vie for cash prizes including a $1,000 grand prize. The event attracts hundreds of visitors, who come for the delicious Asian foods, as well as entertainment and activities. Member-volunteers are needed to help. If you can lend a hand, please contact the Sacramento Church. Exchange Ambassadors from Japan to Visit In recognition of their exemplary service and dedication to the church, two workers from Gedatsu-kai Japan headquarters will visit the U.S. in late June to experience American culture and familiarize themselves with Gedatsu USA. Exchange Ambassadors Motoaki Miyasaka and Tatsuya Kobayashi will visit Sacramento from June 25 and participate in the Rokujizo Bazaar. The young men will enjoy sightseeing in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. They will later meet with LA members on July 2 and 3, and visit the Honolulu Church on July 6. Please welcome our visitors from Japan. LA Benzaiten Service Moves to August The LA Benzaiten Service (formerly scheduled for July) will be held at the LA Church on Sunday, August 17, as part of the Japanese and English Sunday service. LA Holiday Crafts Faire Joins October Event The Holiday Crafts Faire (normally held in November) has been combined with the Autumn Moon Festival and will be held at the LA Church on Saturday and Sunday, October 4 and 5. Fall Grand Festival One Week Later This Year Please note that the Fall Grand Festival, which is normally held on the Labor Day weekend, will be held a week later this year on Sunday, September 7 to accommodate minister schedules. In addition, the 65 th Anniversary of Gedatsu USA will be celebrated at a dinner banquet, which will be held on Saturday, September 6, in Sacramento. Please mark your calendars now with these special dates. Details of these events will be announced in the coming months. Gedatsu Memorial Tower Enshrinement 2014 Applications for enshrinement in the Gedatsu Memorial Tower at this year s Grand Fall Festival in Sacramento will be accepted until June 22. Fee is $100 per application. Application forms are available at your church office. Election of Board of Directors In conjunction with the Spring Festival in Sacramento on April 13, a general membership meeting was held, at which the following directors were elected to serve on the Board of Directors for the two-year term: Jackson Ito, Victor Mizokami, Joyce Reid, Allen Shiroishi, Calvin Tanaka and June Tanaka. Highlights of Board of Directors Meeting Highlights of the Board of Directors meeting, which was held in Los Angeles on March 15, include: Election of officers for 2014: Rudy Tsujimura (chairman), Jackson Ito (treasurer), Rev. H. Taki (first vice-chair) and Joyce Reid (secretary). Creation of Finance Committee: The Committee will review finanical activities and practices of the church and provide fiscal advice to the Board. The Committee is composed of: Jackson Ito (chair), Dave Ide, Kari Kuritani, Allen Shiroishi and Calvin Tanaka. Automation of Accounting Operations. The Church has computerized its accounting functions to manage its bookkeeping and accounting activities and generate custom reports and statements. Highlights of Propagation Meeting A Propagation Committee meeting was held in Los Angeles on March 14, at which more than three dozen action items were identified, including: An expanded Deaconship Program, which will identify and train qualified members to assist our ministers. A Minister Exchange Program to allow our ministers to be occasional guests at Sacramento and LA branches. Table Fellowships to encourage members to sit and converse with visitors in a relaxed, social setting. The Committee will work with LA and Sacramento regional boards to implement the action items. Action items are available for members to review at local branches. Obituaries Mrs. Greta Tengen, former director of the Hawaii Church, passed away on March 19 at the age of P a g e

3 MEET OUR TEACHERS Rev. Kazuo Yamada, 59, is resident minister of the L.A. Gedatsu Church. Rev. Yamada was born into a Gedatsu family in Tokyo, Japan, the youngest of five children. It can be said, however, that he was indoctrinated into Gedatsu even before his birth. His mother, who was ready to give birth on December 31, 1954, was a stylist of traditional Japanese coiffure and kimono. She had the critical responsibility of preparing female performers for a New Year s dance production on January 5. Instructed by her family Gedatsu teacher, Mrs. Yae Takemae, she prayed to God to allow her to fulfill her obligations to her pupils and others who depended on her work. To her unborn son, Yae Sensei specifically instructed: Wait in your mother s womb until she fulfills her duties so that others will not be disappointed. Dutifully, Baby Kazuo was born on January 6, enabling his mother to fulfill her social responsibilities. From the womb, he had learned his first Gedatsu lesson: to give kindness and joy to people. Thus, Rev. Yamada was immersed in the Gedatsu doctrine from childhood. When he became 21, after attending university, he devoted himself to the Gedatsu practice, studying intensely for two years under Yae-Sensei, who became his life-long mentor. Following Yae Sensei s direction, in 1978, at the age of 23, Kazuo sought employment at the Gedatsu-Kai headquarters in Tokyo. There, he met his future wife, Yoko, whom he married in Over the ensuing 18 years, as chief of Doctrine and the Publishing Department, he edited magazines and newsletters, gaining access to academics and experts in wide-ranging fields, such as psychology, religion, natural science, sociology, etc. This multi-discipline exposure served to deepen his belief and conviction in Gedatsu. In 2000, Rev. Yamada was ordained as a minister and began teaching Gedatsu among various domestic branches, while acting as deputy manager of the Missionary Department. He served as resident minister of the Gedatsu Church of Hawaii from 2002, and in 2010, he and Yoko were assigned to the Los Angeles Church. Acknowledging that spiritual guidance not sermonizing is his key strength, Rev. Yamada strives to fulfill his pre-birth lesson of giving kindness and joy to people. Helping people to purify their spirituality through the wonder and power of the Gedatsu teaching is my task, he says, and my pleasure. DEAR REVEREND Q A I have experienced the loss of close friends and relatives. What has happened to them? Where are they now? Our Founder, Gedatsu Kongo, said: If you really want to know the meaning of life, you must take the afterlife into account. So, your question gives you a good opportunity to contemplate the meaning of life. Our soul, or spirit, is eternally immortal. When the body dies, the soul leaves it. Finished with its role in this physical world, the soul becomes freed from the heavy constraints of a physical body and returns to the world of spirit. Therefore, it can be said that death is nothing more than the beginning of life as a spirit in the spiritual world. The soul never loses its individuality after death. It retains its worldly memories memories that are full of sweetness or bitterness, depending on how the soul lived its earthly life. Death is nothing more than the beginning of life as a spirit in the spiritual world. There are various hierarchies in the spiritual world. Spirits enter different realms according to the individual degree of self-purification they have acquired on earth, and the imperfections they have not yet cultivated. They may hold onto their earthly ideas and attachments for a while, but little by little, the influence of matter diminishes and they become freer. It is important to pray for them from the earthly realm, because our prayers assist them in their spiritual improvement. Gedatsu Kongo said that even those who do not believe in an afterlife will inevitably face the truth and regret their ignorance once they are spiritual entities. Our Founder further stated that it is important to believe in the presence of an immortal life because that knowledge guides our actions. When we know there is life after death, we will strive to live our lives in harmony with the Law of the Universe, and we will be inspired to constantly improve. So, it is important continually improve and grow, and to work for the happiness of all people. If we avoid the path of evil, faithfully execute our duties and obligations, and live our lives giving happiness and kindness to others, when it is our time to leave this earthly plane, we will enter a more wonderful, peaceful and happier spiritual world Rev. Yamada 3 P a g e

4 OUR GEDATSU STUDY Gedatsu Teaching 9 By Seiken Okano (Gedatsu Kongo) Gedatsu-kyo monthly newsletter, January 18, 1936 Translation and commentary by Rev. H. Taki Gedatsu is self-reflection, self-reform, self-renunciation and striving to achieve the highest morality. Follow the path of gratitude the great path of God. Continually, from morning to night, appreciate and repay the blessings you receive, earnestly pursue your vocation, and observe the path of humanity, which is to benefit the world. This is why I say Gedatsu is sacred. The great path of gratitude is to be aware of and repay the following blessings. 1. Without country, you have no home. 2. Without parents, you cannot be born. 3. Without society, you cannot exist. Demonstrate the qualities of integrity, filial piety, benevolence, fidelity and gratitude. I assert the sacredness of Gedatsu because of the following: o Reverence to God and ancestors o Spirit of loyalty and patriotism o Cultivation of good moral character o Harmony of heart and mind o Salvation of mankind o Appreciation and gratitude These truths form the foundation for your descendants eternal prosperity. Therefore, please study them carefully. I hope you convey these points to your family, relatives and friends. Religious faith should not be simply to rely on God for assistance. It is important to self-reflect, self-reform and sincerely practice the path of gratitude. Gedatsu is for your self-awareness and selfrealization. This is why I say Gedatsu is sacred. Only through actual practice and effort will you achieve a positive outcome. Gedatsu rejects empty doctrines and theories. It urges you to self-reflect, self-reform and sincerely practice the teaching. You will then achieve the unity of supreme goodness, supreme truth and supreme beauty. Set this as your goal and achieve it through your sincere efforts. You may deplore the deterioration of our present society, but you are wrong. Understand that we ourselves created this society, which consists of micro-societies of families with each family consisting of a husband and wife. Thus, our society is an aggregate of families. Our societal deterioration has been caused by the misunderstanding and misconduct between couples. Children are born and raised in these small societies, consisting of husband and wife. Ponder this point. I hope that you reform yourself and work for the betterment of society. This is our God-given duty as humans. I especially urge parents who have small children to fully teach them the essence of Gedatsu. In conclusion, I would like to say something. Please read the words of Ms. Asano of Kichijoji [in box, page 6], which teaches us the first step in our Gedatsu study. To know the path of Gedatsu could take a lifetime, or then again, it could be done in a day. It depends on your self-reflection and selfawareness. Please read this story and consider it seriously. 4 P a g e

5 Commentary: Gedatsu Kongo again summarizes the Gedatsu teaching. Self-reflection, self-reform and selfrenunciation form the basic path of Gedatsu study. By practicing these self-disciplines while putting forth your full effort without asking for anything in return you will be able to attain true peace and happiness. Gedatsu Kongo stated: Without a country, you have no home. Without parents, you cannot be born. Without society, you cannot exist. Thus, he stressed the importance of appreciating the blessings we receive from three of our greatest resources: country, parents and society. Our existence is impossible without them. This sense of appreciation is the core foundation for our happiness and world peace. Religious faith is important for human life. However, many people have a mistaken view of religion and faith. Gedatsu Kongo urged us to correct our wrong attitude about religion. Sincere, disciplined effort not faith in God alone builds one s religious faith. To believe and revere God is essential for our religious faith. However, if you feel you need not endeavor in your duties because you leave everything to God, you are wrong. You should totally trust God, but, at the same time, sincerely fulfill your duties in life. Sincere practice is essential for our religious faith. Gedatsu Kongo stated that Gedatsu does not deal with empty theories, but, rather, puts selfreflection and self-realization into actual practice. Many people fret over today s problems, he would say, but no one has the solution. Gedatsu is the path to actually solve the problems of the world. The Founder explained how to reform our society. His solution may sound simplistic and ordinary, but it is the only means to reform the world. It is not a path of instant change, but one of gradual transformation, which requires time and continual effort. Many people want instant changes to realize Utopia, and do not practice the required daily steps. Gedatsu Kongo stated that the current world condition is the result of this kind of wrongful thinking and attitudes in our past. Social reform is built on the collective selfunderstanding and self-reform of each individual. The Gedatsu path of self-understanding and self-reform leads to social reform. Gedatsu Kongo stated, You may deplore the deterioration of the present society, but you are wrong. It is very important to recognize that society s deterioration is not the problem of other people. In fact, it is your problem. This is because the world is a collection of smaller societies composed of families, couples and individuals. The cause of society s deterioration is the lack of mutual understanding between a husband and wife. When those couples bear and raise their children, it is quite clear what the result will be. How can we reform this world then? According to our Founder, there is no easy way. Each individual is the smallest unit of society, and a couple is the smallest society. With this in mind, practice self-reflection and self-reform in your daily life. From these initial steps, social reform is built. Gedatsu Kongo refers to the words of Ms. Asano of Kichijoji urging us to read her story to understand the true meaning of Gedatsu. Ms. Ko Asano is a Gedatsu member whose personal experience appeared in the Gedatsu monthly magazine. To know the path of Gedatsu could take a lifetime, or then again, it could be done in a day, Gedatsu Kongo tells us. It depends on your selfreflection and self-awareness. If you miss this point, you will never understand Gedatsu, no matter how hard you study the doctrine or how diligently you perform Amacha Kuyo. Ms. Asano s personal experience explains this point. Continued on page 6 5 P a g e

6 Gedatsu Teaching Continued from Page 5 Experience of Ms. Asano The following account of Ms. Asano of Kichijoji, Tokyo, was published in the Gedatsu-kyo monthly newsletter on January 18, I was a devoted believer of Hokekyo, or the Lotus Sutra. About three months ago, when I performed the Goho Shugyo practice, the spirit of Honorable Nichiren, who advocated Buddhist teaching based on the Lotus Sutra during the Kamakura period in 13 th century, advised me, From today, you should listen to Gedatsu teaching. Later, I had a chance to hear a sermon by Gedatsu Kongo. He said that the Buddha, Kobo Daishi and Nichiren were not that great. To me, a staunch believer of the Lotus Sutra, the Buddha and Honorable Nichiren are great teachers. I was shocked and confused by his words. About ten days ago, I came to understand Gedatsu Kongo s true intent in saying those words. He stated, You should be aware of the greatness of God, who allowed the Buddha, Nichiren and all the other great saints to work on earth for the salvation of mankind. Most people do not understand this point correctly. Please read the doctrine carefully and understand this. When Gedatsu Kongo said these words with sincerity, I was so filled with appreciation that my heart cleared. I then became a true Gedatsu member. Ms. Asano was a devoted believer of Hokekyo, or Lotus Sutra, which is one of the holy Buddhist scriptures. After joining Gedatsu, she listened to Gedatsu Kongo s sermons. Gedatsu Kongo would sometimes state, The Buddha, Kobo-Daishi and Honorable Nichiren are not that great. [Kobo-Daishi is the founder of Shingon Buddhism. Nichiren is the founder of the Nichiren school of Buddhism, which is based on the Lotus Sutra.] Ms. Asano believed they were all great saints, so she could not understand why Gedatsu Kongo made that statement. One day, Gedatsu Kongo explained by saying, You must realize that a Universal God allows the Buddha, Nichiren and all the other great saints to work for the salvation of mankind. These words cleared her doubts toward Gedatsu Kongo, and she truly understood the essence of Gedatsu. This story explains a very important point in our Gedatsu study and practice. For believers of Nichiren school, Nichiren must be a great saint. The same is true of Kobo-Daishi to his followers. Buddhists respect the Buddha. Christians faithfully believe the greatness of Jesus. Moslems revere Mohammed most highly. Everyone respects the founder of his/her religion, and believes his/her religion is supreme. This is quite natural. Strive to seek the Universal Truth. However, if you believe that your religion is the only truth, and that all other religions are false, you will never be able to attain peace and harmony with people who believe other religions. Your exclusive dogmatism will only bring forth division and conflict among people. You see many such examples in world history. The Buddha, Jesus Christ, Mohammed and Gedatsu Kongo are all great saints. It is good for you to strongly believe that the founder of your religion is great. However, you must understand that it is God who allows those great teachers to work for the salvation of mankind and world peace. We are all allowed to exist by this Universal God. We believe in different religions, but the common element to all religions is the Universal Truth. We should see this common ground through each of our own paths. Gedatsu Kongo urged us to break through our sectarianism and to reach the Universal Truth, which is called Gedatsu. 6 P a g e

7 A Brief History of Gedatsu Church USA Part 5 STEPPING TOWARD NEW GENERATIONS Ever since 1950, when Archbishop Kishida left his position and responsibilities as head of Gedatsu-kai in Japan to assume leadership for the teaching and propagation of Gedatsu in America, he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the growing U.S. congregation. Divided Leadership As the 1960s approached, however, leadership and management issues within the Gedatsu organization in Japan exerted pressure on Archbishop Kishida, forcing him to divert his attention from his U.S. activities. A difficult period was about to ensue for him, as well as the fledgling Gedatsu Church in America. When the president of Gedatsu-kai Japan resigned in 1962, Archbishop Kishida was suddenly recalled by Japan Headquarters to assume the post of Kyoto, or Head of the Gedatsu Church. Thus, for the next 20 years, Archbishop Kishida was required to travel between the U.S. and Japan twice a year, juggling the leadership of Gedatsu on both sides of the Pacific Ocean. Without Archbishop Kishida s continual presence, the U.S. Gedatsu Church encountered a number of difficulties, especially related to differences in the way the Gedatsu teaching was being propagated in Japan and in America. After a decade of Archbishop Kishida s efforts to adapt the Gedatsu teaching to American life and culture, his propagation work had just gotten on track and started to gain momentum. He did not want to roll back his hard-fought results. Church membership in the Los Angeles area, especially, was rapidly growing, while the Tsujimura Family home continued to be used as the church. When the house next door became available, the Tsujimuras purchased it, moving next door to allow their old residence to become the official LA Church. After it was remodeled (photo below) to accommodate up to 200 people, it became the center of Gedatsu propagation in Southern California. Succession of Minister Appointments Because L.A. members needed a resident minister, a series of teachers from Japan was appointed, starting with Rev. Yamadera in His two-year term was followed by Reverends Shinchi, Otsuka, Sugita, Ito, and Tonogi, who, one after another, came to live and teach in the U.S. Rev. Jerry Shiroishi was later appointed as resident minister, becoming the first American-born Gedatsu minister. Rev. Junnosuke Ishida, a U.S. Gedatsu member, was also appointed as resident minister. Thus, the membership of the L.A. Church grew through the efforts of these ministers. In Northern California, Rev. Kiyota resided in the San Francisco Church, teaching Bay Area members. The Sacramento Church, however, had no minister until 1967, when Rev. Shimizu came to teach, followed by Rev. Noda in Rev. Sebe became resident minister in Archbishop Kishida s Passing Archbishop Kishida passed away in Members and officers of the church were stunned and saddened by the untimely death of their beloved leader. His heroic efforts to make Gedatsu truly suitable for American people remain as a lasting legacy to his memory. (Continued on back page) 7 P a g e

8 OUR GEDATSU STUDY Excerts from Sermon Spring Grand Festival Charting the Correct Path in Life By Bishop Teruo Okano The Gedatsu teaching is based on two things: Universal Law and Nature s Law, which act like a compass and a map to guide us through life. With the help of a compass, the Universal Law, and a map, Nature s Law, we can move from point A to point B and arrive at our destination. For example, if you are lost in the jungle, you may not be able to find your way out, in spite of your great focus and effort. However, if you use a compass and map wisely, you will probably gain your bearings, realize where you are and which direction you must travel, and eventually find a way out. Similarly, if you believe in God and follow the Universal Law and Nature s Law, you will reach your destination and experience happiness. As you travel down the road of life to reach your destination, you will occasionally have to make big decisions. In your attempt to make these decisions, if your values and morals don t follow the Universal Law and Nature s Law, you will make decisions that are self-centered and egotistic and lead to disappointing results. In addition, be aware that you are likely to surround yourself with people whose personalities are similar to your own. Likes attract. If you have a negative outlook, you probably attract other negativethinking individuals, and this becomes the environment in which you live. There is a mid-16 th century proverb that says, Birds of a feather flock together, meaning that those of similar taste congregate or gather. Therefore, live with as much positive-thinking as possible because that is what you will attract. Gedatsu Kongo said that the world is affected by people s feelings and thinking. So, our present world is a reflection of the people who live in it. People tend to blame others for their misfortunes. If you realize that some of your misfortunes are your own fault, you are lucky because you can look back, examine what you did, and find a solution to your problem. You can learn from your mistakes. But if you always blame others and not yourself, then you will never learn from your mistakes. The Gedatsu teaching shows us how to follow the Universal Law and Nature s Law and helps us to lead our lives. God s wish is to help all people live with eternal prosperity and happiness, and His bottom line is love and sincerity. God reminds us every second that childbirth is a miracle, and babies are given lives of pure love and sincerity. If your values and morals don t follow the Universal Law and Nature s Law, you will make decisions that... lead to disappointing results. Our society is rapidly changing due to the advancements provided by technology. Therefore, society should be improving, and people should be living happy and fulfilled lives. Yet, with all of the conveniences around us, society is still filled with hatred, anger, distrust, poverty, starvation, pollution and violence. The most important thing for us to realize is that we cannot live alone. We are always reliant on others, and we need to always be appreciative and grateful. We should not take for granted the hard work, sacrifices, and hardships of our ancestors and parents. We must always treasure our ancestors, parents, teachers, freedom, society, and country. We should not lead self-centered lives, but we should instead focus on leading lives filled with harmony, a deep desire to help our fellow man, and a sincere wish to help develop our communities that will lead to building a happy world. I m unsure as to what the future holds for us, but I do know that if you can help others, and you do this unselfishly and sincerely, without asking for anything in return, that you will lead a happy and satisfied life. I pray for your happiness as Americans and as a nation. 8 P a g e

9 FEBRUARY 2014 OFFERINGS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA February $5 - $25: - S. Tanaka, R. Ide, T. Yui, M/M D. Tsuboi, C. Tagawa, D. Ide, K. Gibson, Y. Ota $26 - $50: F. Mills, K. Tsukamoto, M/M A. Akashi, M. Fukushima, J. Tanaka, S. Taketa $51 - $100: S. Nishino $100 +: M/M S. Sekikawa, M/M C. Tanaka, N. Johnston, Zanabazar Dharma Center Special Acknowledgment: S. Tanaka In memory of Rev. & Mrs. Ishida G. Kaneko Service for shop T. Wakabayashi Return from Japan M. Fukushima Service for M. Hatae SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA February $5 - $25: T. Hirami, J. Kaku, I. Kawamura, H. Kumashiro, T. Miyamoto, M/M S. Mizokami, M. Mori, K. Nagao, M. Numata, E. Ogawa, Y. Oishi, T. Okazaki, A. Okimura $26 - $50: K. Chinen, Donguri Karaoke Club, K. Giroux, M/M K. Kimura, M/M V. Mizokami, M/M S. Mukai, T. Murakami, R. Nakamura, P. Ogawa, M. Okada, T. Okimura, M/M S Shaklan, N. Takara, K. Taniguchi, C. Tomari, M/M G. Wood, M/M P. Young, A. Toma $76 +: C. Barthel, K. Fujii, M/M T. Fukushima, Gedatsu Kendo Dojo, K. Imoto, M. Ishida, T. Ishida, J. Ito, K. Kuritani, T. Matsumoto, F. Miyamura, T. Nakamura, T. Okimura, D. Shiroishi, Gedatsu Taiko, D. Tomita, M/M R. Tsujimura, K. Yamada, W. Cannata, Dao Trang Phap Hoa Temple Special Acknowledgment: R. Tsujimura Ancestor Blessing Dao Trang Phap Hoa Temple Vietnamese New Year W. Cannata Property Blessing Nakamura Family Ancestor Blessing K. Kuritani Appreciation for former job T. Ishida Memory of late Rev. Ishida T. Ishida Memory of late Eiko & Rev. Ishida K. Giroux Ancestor Blessing R. Tsujimura Donation of traffic cone T. Tsujimura Car Blessing J. Morioka Car Blessing P. Young Car Blessing A. Shiroishi Car Blessing MARCH 2014 OFFERINGS NORTHERN CALIFORNIA $5 - $25: S. Tanaka, M. Fukushima, J. Tanaka, K. Gibson $26-$50: M/M B. Ide, D. Ide, R. Nakatani, M/M D. Tsuboi, M/M S. Sekikawa, S. Nishino $75 - $99: N. Johnston $100 +: M. Kubo, M/M C. Tanaka, S. Fujimoto Special Acknowledgment: H. Takahashi In memory of S. Sebe M/M C. Tanaka In memory of K. Oto Sebe Family Service for S. Sebe SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA $5 - $25: M. Michiuye, Mr. Yoshimura, M. Okada, J. Tanaka, A. Sebe, E. Ogawa, M/M A. Shiroishi, T. Okazaki, Y. Oishi, J. Choy, M. Numata, C. Tomari $26-$50: F. Sueyoshi, C. Tsujimura, S. Shiroishi, K. Kuritani, Kageyama Family, C. Tanaka, J. Hamamoto, M. Mori, H. Tsujimura, PI Ogawa, S. Matsuhashi, R. Nakamura, T. Okimura, K. Shimada, 2014 KEY EVENTS Jul 4 (Fri) Church Closed Jul 19 (Sat) Lake Tahoe Benzaiten Service (TBD) Jul 20 (Sun) LA Obon Service (Japanese & English) Jul 22 (Tue) GROW Meeting 7:30 pm Jul 27 (Sun) Sacramento Obon Service LA Graduates Honored Aug 17 (Sun) LA Benzaiten Service (Japanese/Engl.) Aug 19 (Tue) GROW Meeting 7:30 pm Aug 31 (Sun) Church Closed Sep 2 (Tue) Church Closed Sep 6 (Sat) 65 th Anniversary Banquet Sep 7 (Sun) Fall Grand Festival 10:00 am Sep 21 (Sun) LA Higan Service (Japanese & English) Sep 23 (Tue) GROW Meeting 7:30 pm Oct 4 5 Autumn Moon Festival and Holiday Crafts Faire 11 am 6 pm Oct 14 (Tue) Church Closed Oct 19 (Sun) LA Ujigami Service (Japanese/ English) Oct 21 (Tue) GROW Meeting 7:30 pm Nov 2 (Sun) LA Gedatsu Kongo Memorial Service Nov 9 (Sun) Sacramento Gedatsu Kongo Birthday & Joen-no-gi (Plaque Burning) Nov 15 (Sat) LA Stateline Turnaround TBD 7:00 am Nov 16 (Sun) LA Year Children s Celebration Gedatsu Kongo Birthday Nov 18 (Tue) GROW Meeting 7:30 pm Nov Church Closed (Thanksgiving holiday) Dec 7 (Sun) LA Archbishop Kishida s Memorial Service (Japanese & English) Dec 14 (Sun) Sacramento Last Service of Year, All Souls Service, Archbishop Kishida Memorial Service / Church Clean-up Dec 14 (Sun) LA Church Clean-up 10:00 am Dec 21 (Sun) LA Christmas Service Last Kanshakai of Year (Japanese/Eng) Dec Church Closed SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA March (Continued) S. Mukai, H. Nakamura, K. Muronaka, L. Sanchez, V. Miyamoto, N. Takara, T. Okano, M/M Kuritani, R. Tsujimura $51 - $75: M. Kimura, M/M N. Chodor, I. Hirami, T. Tsujimura, G. Hirami, T. Hirami $75 +: T. Ishida, F. Miyamura, T. Matsumoto, J. Morioka, K. Fujii, D. Shiroishi, T. Kamiya, D. Shiroishi, S. Shiroishi, T. Murakami, K. Taniguchi, M/M M. Hamada, M. Murakami, Donguri Karaoke Club, D. Tomita, M/M T. Palelek, I. Kawamura, C. Barthel, D. Harrison, K. Yamada, J. Reid, T. Kukushima, H. Taki, T. Nakamura Special Acknowledgment M. Murakamu Special Kuyo T. Tsujimura Car Blessing J. Reid Ancestor Blessing S. Shiroishi Memory of late Sayoko Shiroishi D. Shiroishi, D. Shiroishi Memory of late Sayoko Shiroishi S. Shiroishi Memory of late Sayoko Shiroishi 9 P a g e

10 5 月度教会行事予定 ロサンゼルス教会 4( 日 ) 10:00A 日本語感謝会 11( 日 ) 教会正午まで開館 18( 日 ) 10:00A 日英感謝会 母の日サービス 20( 火 ) 7:30P グロウミーティング 25( 日 ) 10:00A 英語感謝会 阿字観法 27( 火 ) 教会休み ( メモリアルディ振替休日 ) サクラメント教会 11 ( 日 ) 9:30A 感謝会 母の日サービス 25 ( 日 ) 9:30A 感謝会 5 月度みさとし 絶対感謝の人を造るのも全く母たる人の解脱からである 子供の成育にとって両親の存在とその愛が不可欠であることはいうまでもありません とはいうものの 母親の存在が父親とは比較にならぬほど大きなものであることは 誰もが実感しているところだと思います 特に幼少時の子供にとって母親の影響は絶大なものであり 母親の人となりがそのまま子供の人格を形成するといっても過言ではありません この意味で 特に女性が結婚前からしっかりと解脱を学んでおくことの大切さが理解されるでしょう 女性の解脱こそ 子供の育成のみならず 国の将来 さらには人類の未来を左右するものであることを しっかりと自覚したいものです 米国教会 65 周年 春季大祭講話 ( 要約 ) 自然の摂理に適った人間の生き方とは 総長 岡野英夫創立 65 周年の春季大祭おめでとうございます 解脱の教えは 宇宙の真理 自然の摂理に適った人間の生き方を説いています 真理とは磁石のようなものであり 法則とは地図のようなものです 磁石の針は 地球上のどんな場所でも必ず北と南を指します 自然には目には見えない大いなる力が働いています 地図は この道を進めば山道に差し掛かる 右に曲がれば湖に着くなどの行き先を明示します そのように 必ず行き着く場所を示唆し そのための道を指し示すのが法則です 地図と磁石があれば 今自分がどこにいるのか どの道を歩んできたのか どの方向に向いて歩んでいるのか その先には何があるのかが解ります この地図と磁石を持つことが信仰であり 常に神を意識し 神と共に生きる生き方なのです もし 自分が今 大変困難な局面に直面しているなら それはジャングルの中にいるようなもので 一生懸命に努力をすればジャングルから抜け出せるという訳ではありません ほとんどの場合は 長い時間と労力を費やすことになったり さらにジャングルの奥深くに迷い込んだりいたします 人生の様々な岐路に立つ時 自身の行動やその方向性を決断するための価値観や人生観が宇宙の真理 法則に沿わないものであったなら このような結果にならざるを得ません 自分を取り巻く環境の一切は 自身の波動によって集まる意味からすれば 善も悪も皆 自身の心が作り上げてきたものです 困難な状況下では 人は相手にその原因の全てがあるように思っていることが多いのですが 自分自身にその原因の一端があることを知ることができる人は幸せです なぜならば 今までの自身の行動や想いを確認し どうして困難な状況に遭遇したのか その困難からどうしたら抜け出せるのかをいち早く悟り 行動に移すことができるからです どのようにすることが真理 法則に叶う人の道か そのことを金剛様は 解脱の教え としてお説きになっているのです 神のご意志は 全ての存在の調和と発展に奉仕できる唯一の存在である人類に 子孫を永遠に繁栄させなさいということです その原動力は愛であり誠です 私たちは 等しく神の魂を授けられてこの世に生を享けた者で 神の産みなそうとする意思によって母体に宿り この世に生を享けました 私たちの心には すでに神が宿り 愛と誠の偉大な力を有しています そのことを深く自覚し その愛と誠の波動を高めることです 人類は目覚しい文明を築いてまいりましたが 現在の状況はどうでしょう 生活は便利になりましたが 社会的な不安は増大し 戦争やテロ 貧困や飢餓の問題 環境破壊 恐ろしいウイルスの蔓延など 解決すべき問題は山積みです 重要なのは まず私たち一人ひとりの人間が 個人は基本的に自由で 他人に迷惑をかけなければ何をしてもいい という個人主義的な人間観を改め 私たちは 基本的に すべてとつながっており 自分のすることはすべての他の人と他の存在に影響を及ぼし また すべての他の人のすることや他の存在の状況が自分に影響を及ぼすという事実について確乎とした認識を持つことです その上で 相互依存のネットワークの一員としての自覚のもとに 全ての存在の調和と発展をめざ

11 し 地球全体のことを自分のこととして考えることです 皆様の上に神の祝福がありますように 解脱人生相談 5 何をどう祈るのか 質問 毎日 神々さま 金剛さま ご先祖さまにまごころで祈りをささげているにもかかわらず 身体は少しもよくならず病気がちです 一体どうしてわたしの祈りは叶えられないのでしょうか? 回答 病弱で悩んでおられるとのこと お気の毒に思います きっとこれまでまごころで神さまやご先祖さまに祈りをささげてこられたのでしょう にもかかわらず 祈りが少しも叶えられないと感じておられるのですね そのお気持ちはよくわかります しかし 神さまの御心というものは人間にははかり知れないものだということをよく理解していただきたいのです これが信仰にとって一番大切な点です どうかあらためて自分自身をよく見つめてください そして あなたが今そこに存在しているという事実を観察していただきたいのです あなたは身体が弱く病気がちだとおっしゃいますが それでもあなたは今生きていますね 夜ベッドで休んでいるときでも 体内では心臓が規則正しく鼓動を打ち 赤く温かい血液が身体じゅうを巡っているでしょう あなたは呼吸をし 太陽はあなたを照らしています まわりには家族やお友だちがいて いろいろとあなたを助けてくれています 毎日 三度三度の食事をしていると思いますが あなたが食している食物はすべて生きものですね つまり あなたは数え切れないほど多くの人々や生きもののおかげによって支えられ生かされているのです このように あなたは今すでに数え切れないほどのすばらしいおかげをいただいているのです 人生の否定的な側面ばかりを見るのではなく 今すでに恵まれているたくさんのすばらしいおかげさまを深く見つめてください そうすれば 感謝の念と共に生きる希望と力が湧いてくるはずです こういえば それは気休めにすぎないとおっしゃるかもしれません でも そうではないのです あなたは今日 まっさらな生命を与えられたのだということを忘れてはいけません たとえどれほど困難なことがあるとしても 事実 あなたは今生きているのです! これはまったくの奇跡です そしてそのことが 神さまやご先祖さまがあなたのことを無条件愛してくださっている 何よりの証拠でしょう あなたは これまでまごころで祈ってきたとおっしゃいますが 今日までいったい何をどのように祈ってこられたのですか 神さま ご先祖さまに祈るときには まごころで次のように申し上げるのです 今日も尊い生命を与えていただきまことにありがとうございます 今日一日 自分に与えられた役目に最善の努力を尽くします どうぞふさわしくお使いくださいませ 祈りをささげるときには これだけを申し上げるのです 祈り ( ご挨拶 ) とは 神さまに対する無条件の感謝と信頼の表明なのです どうかこれからは毎日 このように祈りをささげてください そうすればきっと 感謝の念に満たされて 身体も健康になることでしょう なぜなら 心と身体は常に一体だからです 心が変われば身体も変わるのです さあ 以上のことを実行してみてください やってみるだけの価値があると思いますよ ( 回答者 : 瀧久和 ) 掲示板 解脱霊廟祭祀の申込について本年のサクラメント秋季大祭 ( 9 月 7 日 ) における霊廟祭祀申込みの締め切りは 6 月 22 日です 各教会にある 解脱霊廟祭祀申込書 に記入し 祭祀料 1 霊につき 100 ドルをそえてお申し込みください 六地蔵 ラッフル チケットのご協力を恒例の六地蔵バザーが 6 月 28 日 29 日にサクラメント教会で開かれます ラッフル チケットは 12 枚つづりで $10 です 歓迎! 日本から研修生 2 名解脱会本部職員 宮坂素明さん ( 御霊地管理部 ) 小林竜也さん ( 解脱錬心舘 ) が 6 月 25 日にサクラメント入りします 六地蔵バザー奉仕後 ラスベガス グランドキャニオンをめぐり 7 月 2 日からロサンゼルス教会に 2 泊 その後ハワイ教会に 3 泊する予定です ロサンゼルス教会の行事日変更について LA 弁財天祭 ( 日本語 英語 ) の開催は 8 月 17 日の第 3 日曜日に変更されました また 11 月に予定されていたクラフト フェアーは 10 月 4 日 5 日のオータム ムーン フェスティバルと 同時開催となります 訃報 ハワイ解脱教会元理事 グレッタ 天願さんにおかれましては 3 月 19 日に逝去されました 享年 84 歳 謹んで哀悼の意を表します

12 GEDATSU COMPANION Vol. 65 No. 5 May 2014 The Gedatsu Companion is published monthly for members like Katsushi and Kumi Chinen of the LA Church. Introduced to Gedatsu through Kumi s parents, Tetsuya and Sachiyo Matsumoto, Katsushi and Kumi dated more than 15 years before they married two years ago. It was a memorable ceremony, they say, because it was the first time a very nervous Rev. Yamada officiated at a wedding. He broke the ice and made everything less tense for us. It was a wonderful day, says Kumi. We are happily married, thanks to our family and friends being so patient with us. 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: Katsushi Chinen, Kumi Chinen, Marylin Nakamura, Naoya Okano, Jo Ann Shiroishi, Uzuko Shiroishi, Rev. H. Taki, Calvin Tanaka, Rev. K. Yamada, Yoko Yamada (History Continued from page 7) Sadly, Archbishop Kishida died before he could see the completion of his long-cherished dream the building of the Gochi Sanctuary in Sacramento. With the full support and financial backing of Gedatsu Church Japan, the spiritual center was completed in 1983, symbolizing the aspirations for Gedatsu in America. Above: Dedication ceremonies for the Gochi Sanctuary in Sacramento. Above right: The LA Gedatsu Church. In 1989, a spacious new LA Church in South San Gabriel was built. The adjoining property was purchased seven years later, creating parking and recreational facilities for expanding church activities. Thus, by 1990 a half century after the pioneering efforts of Mother Kiyota and Archbishop Kishida to establish a foothold for Gedatsu teaching in America new generations of Gedatsu members were stepping forward to follow the path left by their dedicated teachers and forebears. The Gedatsu Companion is indebted to Rev. H. Taki for the translation of this series of articles, which he wrote for Gedatsu Magazine in (Next issue: Gedatsu USA annual events, Gedatsu Church of Hawaii, toward the future)