Dick Dusek's Dosage
Wednesday, February 10, 1999 Rev. Mitsuaki Otsubo Do not become lax in practicing your faith, even when healthy. [How To Develop Faith #20] I'll give all four mini-teachings for this teaching today. 1) It's human that your strength is not reliable. Being prosperous doesn't mean you can be at ease. In order to be prosperous, in order to be more healthy, it's necessary to have the faith of gratitude. Like the moth (yourself) attracted to the light, when you're healthy, when you're prosperous and when everything is going well, the bug of conceit easily gets you struck. 6/17/69 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] 2) When faith is not progressing is when it is retreating. It is never standing still in the same place. When it's retreating, you can't feel grateful even when listening to an enjoyable talk. Even when receiving blessings, you can not sense blessings as blessings. Your rival negligence and your pride are the origin of serious injury. 7/13/74 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] 3) Saying, "I speak to you in all sincerity." Saying, "It's a blessing." Saying, "Thank you." We need to devote ourselves to practicing these staple manners. The further away we get from the church, we start to become lax. Though saying we won't forget, the further we get, we lose sight of it. 7/23/79 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] 4) The healthier we are, the greater our well-being is, the faith we practice must become stronger and more courteous. For that we really need the determination to go the way of the mild, easy straw sandals (meaning to apply all one's efforts) of our faith. It's because this faith follows the way of the gentle ease, or straw sandals. 7/21/85 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] Today's teaching, "Do not become lax in practicing faith, even when healthy," is pointing to human weakness and advicing us not to loosen our faith, not to relax our efforts. Where do such lax motives originate? What is the origin of taking the easy way and losing our determination for strong faith? Rev. Mitsuaki felt he should look at the teaching preceeding today's for the origins of becoming lax. That would be #19: "Realize that people have limitations. You cannot see through closed doors." [How To/ Faith #19] Humans have limitations and thus must strengthen their faith. Without strong faith we become lax in our ways and lose the way. Realize it and practice a faith which is grateful and doesn't take the easy way out.
Tuesday, February 9, 1999 Rev. Mitsuaki Otsubo When your child is sick, do not become too emotional. Leave the child alone as you would a disobedient child. Practice faith, without a care to what might happen. Your child will be able to receive divine blessings. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #48] When my third son, Mikisaburo, was diagnosed for sarcoma my spirit was in a normal condition. The chances were ninety- nine percent bad. Such would be an expression of the care- free spirit. Through divine grace miraculous blessings were received. Later I wondered how it might have been if it had been a believer's son. Kill selfishness and give Kami life? or Kill Kami and give selfishness life? 7/8/82 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] Are you thinking of your child or another's? The heart of divinity looks at all of us equally. And just as the human parent leaving the child alone will continually think and pray about that child, the divine heart is always looking after each one of us. Yesterday evening Rev. Dick sitting in mediation received a message when two gentlemen of the Koyokai men's group came into the worship hall at the time and started to pray individually: Eiji (as in the name, Eiji Akinaga). First of all Eiji Akinaga is one of the five male board members of the church and was the leader of Koyokai before. But the point of the message comes out in the Japanese characters for writing the name. The first kanji character has grass on top and underneath is part of the word for 'central.' It is pointing to a natural, but very essential (central) matter. The second kanji character is' held in control' -- three drops of water are along the left side, the katakana for the sound 'mu' meaning nill or nothing above the kanji character for 'mouth.' It means to keep quiet (without a word) and join the flow of the life process. Isn't this indicating a stance in faith-practice that leads us right to the substance of today's teaching, without a care leave the problem alone and concentrate on developing faith. One step in faith is realizing something like this: Faith is the place you return whenever the need, whatever the need, Another step toward greater faith would be: Faith is my very life; it's the joy of my life. These are a few things Rev. Dick received yesterday on his father's 76th birthday. Also the teaching yesterday was #95, the numbers for Rev. Dick's birthday, 9/5.
Monday, February 8, 1999 Rev. Mitsuaki Otsubo The world knows many who exploit religion to make a living, but Konko Daijin has never recited a prayer for profit. Never make a business out of Kami. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #95] There are gratuities for prayers and paper charms with price tags -- it's the exact equivalent as in commerce and merchandise. If those who are ministers of the faith are in such a situation in order to maintain their family's living, it is the same as making a business out of Kami. Thus it necessitates a fierce self-examination. Just now a believer offered the first-picked grapes. If it's offered with a gracious "by Kami's grace they are well grown," that's wonderful. If what is said is "may it be sold at the highest possible price this year too," then this is just the same as using Kami to do business. 7/15/72 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] Are we using faith for our purposes or to assist Kami's purposes? The Mayazaki family has just left this morning for their mission in Brazil. Our pastor told them in their last greeting that what is important is to concentrate on what our first master wanted to convey. Until we shift beyond the faith for desired blessings, we are using Kami to make business. I have used Kami for my own reasons for all of my life, from now I wish to assist Kami in developing the divine request. As Rev. Miyazaki counted down to zero, I need to empty myself of selfish desires so as to fulfill a goal for making a world of Kami. Propagation is not to spread far and wide, but to penetrate into the real heart of Kami. It is not to use Kami, but to have Kami use me. May today be the start of my own mission to accomplish some of Kami's purposes. The process is divinity at work. How can I better match the rhythm and work together with these very processes which our Parental Diety so greatly desires. Empty of selfish desires, may I not interfer with the greater works of Kami. And may what I do assist Kami in the processes of fulfilling the divine design.
Sunday, February 7th, 1999 Rev. Katsuhiko Otsubo WAGAKOKORO DAY SERVICES at 10am Is it not a real blessing that humans are able to save others? Oxen and horses cannot save an offspring that has fallen into the water. But a person seeing this can save the animal. When people suffer from sickness or hardship, they are helped by Kami. Practice faith and remember to be thankful to be able to save people in distress. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #76] Saving people is a pleasure. It's something quite marvelous, isn't it? It's to be able to save people when they ask for help, even when there's no way that man can do it. Even when you have saved someone, if you look at the results it's so often the case that what has been saved is not saved at all. The founder has said, "If man can only be saved." Naturally this is real salvation, salvation at its essence. We also would like to receive blessings, gain deep salvation of the heart and serve for the salvation of others. 7/27/71 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] The key steps along the way to truly being saved with divine blessings have been taught through the use of bus stops from the family church to Airaku Church. Yes, they surely are key steps. You need to know where you are. Without a doubt, those having got here to Airaku have already received the saving blessings of knowing about the way (Zendoji). Then, even though your faith isn't developed yet, you receive blessings and feel that faith is so thankful and something very precious (Motaijima). And slowly you begin to understand more about the faith within your own spirit -- you're not yet to the point of worshiping your spirit, but you feel grateful for what is developing within your spirit (Kabame). And then this way of receiving blessings is always held -- you continue to maintain the blessings of faith (Tsunemochi). This is a heavenly world of paradise -- both the body and soul is saved. Then from there you take one more step to where you want to help Kami save others -- the blessings which are saving you are next used to help the work of diety (Airaku). Thus you and others are both helped, both receive blessings, and are truly saved. How many can draw the circle of joyous salvation? We need to touch divine love and stay in direct connect. However, for this, the five steps of the way must be taken one by one, so we are enabled to help with divine work. The real point of receiving blessings in the Konko Faith is for truly fundamental salvation of people. There is nothing other than to receive the blessings only Diety can provide. This point is brought out well in this teaching: Few have a heart that Kami can accept. Those whose hearts can be accepted by Kami will be blessed with good health, wealth, and wisdom for three generations, resulting in a strong family lineage. Those whose hearts are not accepted by Kami may have wealth as well as wisdom, but will get sick. Those who have wisdom and good health will lose their wealth. If they do not lose their wealth, their beloved children will die, leaving no heirs. Since these people are not aware of Kami's blessings, they are always lacking one thing or another. If you practice faith and understand Kami's blessings, you will live a peaceful and stable life. You will have descen- dants and gain wealth. You will receive divine blessings from year to year, and then from generation to generation. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #78] I wish to know and understand more about the true blessings of Kami, the blessings of true salvation.
Saturday, February 6th, 1999 Rev. Katsuhiko Otsubo Above all, you should enrich your faith. Practicing faith in everyday life is important. Rich soil will be productive without fertilization, and so it is with faith. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #50] Though people say there is no such thing as a money tree, this way of faith provides not only a tree of money, but the way to virtue which fulfills every condition for human happiness. It is because, as is taught, "rich soil will be productive without fertilization." In everyday life is where the roots must be enriched. These roots are the roots of the heart, the roots of the home, and the roots of the universe. Restoration of the universe is important. 7/1/71 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] * The roots of the home mean parents and ancestors. In order to be appropriate when it's appropriate, the process must become the very basis of one's way of faith. Through respect for the process of life, the process of the universe, we are enabled to match and live in rhythm with the universe. Your heart, your home and the whole universe surrounding you are enriched through accepting and following the pattern of the process. That the process is divinity at work you will realize. It's the most appropriate at all times. The process is the very heart of Kami, a small part anyway.
Friday, February 5, 1999 Rev. Katsuhiko Otsubo, Pastor The religious training of this faith does not involve traditional physical austerities. Doing your everyday work is religious training. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #39] The aim of the training in this faith is to meet Kami and get to know Kami. If you put effort into doing your daily work, it cannot be considered performing religious training. While training through your daily work you must develop the spirit of being truly thankful, or the motive to just be able to save others. However, that is quite difficult to do. In order to get such a spirit of Kami, the spirit to serve, still traditional austerities and also spiritual training are necessary. When you realize this spirit, all of your everyday work becomes training and finally you are able to have 'training as work' and 'work as training.' Naturally, the point of religious training is not to become disturbed; to master oneself without getting burnt in the fire or washed away in the water. 7/21/70 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] NOTE In 1970 Rev. Soichiro Otsubo's church was still practicing religious austerities. Thus we today can interprete such physical training as getting up early for morning worship and taking up the teaching. Then you practice developing your spirit and your practice of faith. And finally you are able to apply what you have acquired into everyday work and activities. (2/5/99) This was read by the assisting minister of the day, Rev. Shintaro Suenaga: When you do your daily work as a form of faith training, it becomes a way to receive divine virtue through your everyday job. Of course, this means that it is important to do our tasks in a way that fulfills Kami's will. It has been seven years since we've received the blessing at Airaku of abolishing all physical austerities. Since then, as we have focused on spiritual training, by trying to keep Kami in mind all day long, offering prayers on a regular daily schedule, and trying to do Kami's will during everyday work, our church has doubled. By the way, trying to receive blessings through physical austerity is just like trying to raise money at a pawn shop. By keeping Kami's will for us in mind all day long, at work as well as at home and in between, everything is arranged for us through natural blessings. 7/30/81 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] Paperwork, even paper art, there are various types of paper. Some are worn; some are torn. Various shapes and sizes; various kinds for different uses. You need to realize that it's more interesting when the use answers a real need. In faith, too, getting an answer is so interesting; such rhythm makes it fun, even if it's only a selfish need. You need to realize this, the sooner, the better. And then raise and develop it until a divine answer is received. The object of practicing faith is for how to perform in the real arena of daily work. We feel that coming to worship and listening to teachings is the point of faith. Even I have thought this way. However, it's not. Worshiping and teachings are so important. They are to help us practice for the working arena. While in the church, when you come to worship and listen to teachings, practice and check yourself. Get more ready to enter better prepared for your working day. Your work is the object of practicing faith. We desire to raise our spirit to be more exact and faithful. Then whenever and wherever the answer you receive should be thankfulness. The use is practiced and when met reaches a thankful answer. Teaching #27 is understood more deeply when you consider it is talking of the founder himself. There are believers who are so very exact and honest in everything they do. These people find it hard to feel really thankful. But practicing faith in Kami blessings will be realized beyond any imagined degree. Here's the teaching. The founder's words are simple, but the meaning deep. People have often wondered why a man who is honest and like a kami or buddha is often afflicted with many misfortunes. There is a difference between a good, honest person who does not do wrong and a person who has received divine blessings through faith. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #27]
Thursday, February 4, 1999 Rev. Katsuhiko Otsubo, Pastor Divine virtue will be with you even after death and passed down to future generations. It can be received by anyone who practices faith. Divine virtue is never exhausted. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #2] By really believing that everything is included in the sacred work of Kami, then even if people ridicule you or laugh at you or hit you or whatever the circumstances, you can take it in progress by doing away with human nature and using divine nature alone. I feel that this type of faith is being taught here in "divine virtue can be received by anyone who practies faith." It's what you may call, "by believing it is achieved." 7/14/75 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] And this one, too. It's the greatest point of religion that divine virtue can be received by anyone who practices faith. The central point of the teachings that the founder gave for living in the world of divine virtue is the nature of the universe. To put it concretely, it is to accept respectfully the process of life. When you treat the divine workings considerately, then The Principle Parent will treat you with consideration. By considering only the diety enshrined and disregarding the sacred work of our diety, it will not lead to divine virtue. Of course, the basis for this is that "Faith is to polish the gem in your heart" and "day to day renewal is essential." 7/24/80 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] Where Konko Faith is to be proved is when those of the faith receive the blessings as in teaching #100: "Konko Daijin teaches the way for the prosperity of your family and your descendants." Divine virtue is when the process of life is working for you. (2/4/99) To take up the nature of the universe is to respect the very process of life. This means that our faith-heart takes up the very heart of deity. Has there been any religion which has taken up the heart as the heart of diety? I wonder. After the morning talk Rev. Miyazaki gave an emotionally filled of his way of taking up the process which is leading him to Brazil. He is leaving on the 8th.
Wednesday, February 3, 1999 Rev. Katsuhiko Otsubo, Pastor If you want to meet Kami, just step out of your house and look around you. The sky above is Kami and the ground below is Kami. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #12] What you learn through the teachings of Konko Daijin is true faith. That is where you find the benevolence of the universe. Also with such benevolence you can live a rewarding life. When you can receive everything you see as the appearance of Kami and everything you hear as the voice of Kami, you'll be able to sense for the first time the Kami who is working vividly in the whole universe throughout your body. Every morning I step out onto the veranda and worship the universe. I feel the energy of the universe thoroughly entering my whole body. 7/26/75 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] That faith has been brought into the sphere of everyday activities is a great discovery, indeed. The late Rev. Soichiro Otsubo has done this. That faith in Diety became so easy for people to follow is what our founder, Konko Daijin, has done. The ordinary person can approach divinity in the very process of normal ordinary life. The way to true human life and for real prospering happiness is through how people view the process in their lives. To reach as far as the benevolence of the universe one should apply steps from the way of Rev. S. Otsubo's faith up to the founder's and then on and on to the universe's way itself. Each one felt the benevolence of the universe and expresses it in their faith. With steps you will understand where you are and where you are going. For example, the five stages from Zendoji to Airaku.
Tuesday, February 2, 1999 Rev. Katsuhiko Otsubo, Pastor When your child is sick, do not become too emotional. Leave the child alone as you would a disobedient child. Practice faith, without a care to what might happen. Your child will be able to receive divine blessings. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #48] The teaching "don't become emotional when your child is sick" means this is a situation where you must set aside your own feelings and trust the Principle Parent's perfect design for your child's essential healthiness, which allows plenty of room to receive the blessings. Moreover, when you practice faith "without worrying about what might happen" your faith grows. I feel the number 48 says that there is always a chance for blessings. If you always live with this feeling, you'll receive the divine virtue of the Principle Parent without obstruction. 7/31/76 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] The way of virtue only opens when you practice faith. As you practice faith your world must change. The level you live on shifts and the world around you seemly changes. Where you place value is reinterpreted in the eyes of faith and all things begin to be seen in a different light. This teaching comes right from the life of the founder. It is how the founder's faith progressed. The founder learned this way of faith development through his daughter's grave illness. Our pastor truly feels this teaching is closely connected to the founder's eldest son, Shojin, who was continually in financial trouble. Living to develop your faith, your values shift and what you cared about before practicing this faith you begin to see without a care. Then you can reduce your emotional involvement. Without such obstruction your faith advances. You depend more and more on the natural process of this universe. Deepen the depth of your acceptance. Depend on Heaven and rely on Earth. The ideal faith is like steps to truer faith. We should build steps in our faith.
Monday, February 1, 1999 Rev. Katsuhiko Otsubo, pastor To kill others within your heart is a grave offense. Kami cannot bear such offenses. When one physically kills, the government will punish the person. Kami knows when one kills within one's heart. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #75] Criticism, arguement, hatred, envy and arrogance are what injure and even kill the human heart. Since it is said, "with a single heart it all comes into being," it is also possible that with a single heart it all breaks down. What we want to have is the WAGAKOKORO, a peaceful, joyful heart. [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] 7/27/77 On the day of my birthday I couldn't feel anything with my faith-heart. I wasn't moved by anything; I couldn't feel thankful. It was a dull, non-pulsed day. Usually I awake excited, wondering what the process would be providing each day. But on my birthday, the day I turned 55, I couldn't feel anything. So I opened the book of teachings to number 55. Wow! Just the number which also indicates my new age was a teaching in itself. Since I have taken up studying the founder's memoirs I have really come to realize deeply, truly that the founder has not said anything that was wrong. And you must understand that with this realization, everything you see or feel is on a different level, in a different light. While you are young, you will be asked to do work which pays wages, but when you get older, you will not be asked. In practicing faith, the older you get, the more virtuous you become. If you practice faith, your gratitude will increase with each passing year. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #55] What's the level of one's faith? It is VIRTUE, the amount of virtue you acquire. You can measure your virtue by how thankful you are. Each year growing more and more thankful. But thankfulness in the first pastor's case was of a different kind. Not blessings. It's the deep quiet thankfulness that comes up from the depths of a deep pond. It's not the self-satisfying (masturbation) type of being thankful. It's like the joy of making love, both parties mutually thankful. The joyful thankfulness of our first pastor always included the joy of divinity, the Parental diety. Last night listening to each person's summation of their January faith, I thought that without faith I really would have been a complaining, judgemental troublemaker. In the first volume of Wagakokoro Gaku our first pastor speaks of the faith of Airaku as a high-level ideal with deep-set sentiment. The ideal is actually high -- it really is. The sentiment is a great depth of thankfulness. When you are not thankful, you know for sure there is something wrong. Not being thankful indicates that somewhere your faith is off balance. How can we become thankful? Where is it that our thankfulness is destroyed? There is humbleness, without it thankfulness doesn't exist. The pressured feeling one has to, is actually when you don't want to. Just a couple hints to get you started. Actually what is it that makes us thankful? And what destroys it? For the high ideal of faith we should study thankfulness. How does one become thankful more and more year after year? That is where the Wagakokoro is maintained.(Back) < Back to the HomePage > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Rev. Richard Lee Dusek