Dick Dusek's Dosage
Friday, April 30, 1999 Rev. Eishiro Otsubo When practicing faith, there are more blessings which cannot be seen than those which can be seen. The blessings you unknowingly receive are more than the blessings you knowingly receive. If you think about it, you will come to realize the many divine blessings that you have already received. When you can do this, you are a true believer. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #53] Since it is teaching, "If you think about it, you will come to realize the many divine blessings that you have already received and when you can do this, you are a true believer," we then must aim to be true believers. To do that, you look to find your worst characteristics. Then you'll build up the actual sensation of feeling "every single thing is blessed." 7/5/77 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] I felt the importance of closing each day and each month and each year with gratitude for the blessings we have noticed. Tonight we form a circle in the worship hall and share statements of gratitude for the faith development of this month. Thinking of it, it is the only time we get into a circle. Also you probably remember that the founder expressed his great joy of receiving blessings by drawing a circle in writing his memoirs. We need to seek for and look into our very worse self. Then with the realization of the many blessings we are receiving, really taken up the game (if I might call it that) of renewing ourself in faith. Renewal is most imortant for continuous faith. It seems that the teaching of removing more of one's selfish characteristics (called 'GA' in Japanese), as it is reflected in the mirror of the teachings, is an original of our first pastor and master of faith, Rev. Soichiro Otsubo. With the selfish 'GA' removed from the teaching's mirror ('KAGAMI'), what remains is KAMI, our diety. When your selfishness is out of the way you appear as a reflected image of Kami's sacred work ||| |||| ||| A human mirror of divine light We are still looking into the various teachings of the founder and other Konko ministers, but this one is possibly one teaching of the first headminister of Airaku Church. How has April been for you? For your faith? For perceiving more of what Kami so deeply desires? Take today's teaching, for example. What blessings have you perceived this month? How much of them were noticed later, upon reflection? Do you notice your gratitude growing closer toward being a true believer? You might notice your development in the truer truths of faith. It's an endless journey with unlimited goals of peaceful joys. The search goes on; the joys stack up enriching the flavor of your faith.
Thursday, April 29, 1999 Rev. Eishiro Otsubo Until now, Kami has never spoken words for people to hear. Wherever people worshiped, their prayers were only one-sided. People can receive divine blessings if they pray single-heartedly, because Kami lives in their hearts. Practice faith in a living kami. Since the beginning of time, neither heaven nor earth has stopped its constant activities. The Kami that Konko Daijin prays to is Tenchi Kane No Kami. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #5] < see I Ichimura 2-4&5; II Ichimura 8 > In the living universe with a living heart and living teachings, in other words, through the living education (the Way of the universe), the founder, Ikigami Konko Daijin, has established the way to become single-hearted with Tenchi Kane No Kami. Yesterday man imprinted its first step on the surface of the moon. It certainly is a victory for science. It's quite courageous. This courage is the result of belief in science, and efforts to the limits of human capability. Through daily practice we reach an immovable conviction by experiencing the unmistakable workings of Kami. And at the same time, if we take divine virtue scientifically and faith studiously, we can do the same thing as reaching the moon. The founder has taught the way to acquire the strength of faith through studying. The founder can be said to be a great distinquished figure in the study of faith and also an unparalleled person who has undergone unceasing training and practice concerning faith and acquired the great virtues of the universe. 7/22/69 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] Practice faith in a living kami. Develop a living faith in the living process of the universe. If unhealthy or unsuccessful, the source of the insufficency is within our heart -- our faith is not yet developed large enough. The Wagakokoro is the broad huge spirit accepting at ease and building deep joy -- it's alive and growing in harmony with the processes of the universe.
Wednesday, April 28, 1999 Rev. Eishiro Otsubo Do not strain yourself by rushing things, but wait for the right time. [Toward True Faith #10] There is a way in the universe; there's a melodious rhythm in the universe. One should know the way and master how to live riding the rhythm. While wishing to travel to Tokyo, boarding the line for Kagoshima will put you in the opposite direction. It is because you don't know the way. By rushing things, getting confused and impatient you won't be able to hear the rhythm of the universe. To live according to the divine will is a way of living where you get rid of your own way and act as you ride the rhythm. The founder has taught the way to live joyfully, thankfully and faithfully while following the way of the universe and tuning your ear to listen for the rhythm of the universe. [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] 7/2/73 Though not yet ripe we rush to use it. Await the appropriate time. Take away one's selfishness in order to meet the rhythm of the process of life. Pray for the Process, then receive and accept the Process. When things are not going as one might expect is the very time to get a better measure of one's true self.
Tuesday, April 27, 1999 Rev. Eishiro Otsubo Though people call me (Konko Daijin) "kami," I am not the only one. All people who come here are the children of Kami. To be a living-kami is to have Kami born within you. I was the first to receive such divine blessings. You can all receive divine blessings in the same way. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #18] The wild butterbur Silent and intent on by the water spout giving up alcohol -- while washing the feet. growing chrysanthemums. - The butterbur bears no fruit. Even by receiving blessings, it has to reach virtue for enlightenment. - After realizing this is what takes away the life of faith, really renew oneself intent on cultivating a joyous heart (faith). 7/9/81 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] This teaching announces the way for all people to become one with the universe. As you learn to rely on the master, in other words, the process, you come to live closer to the way of the universe. Relying on the process puts the process to work in your faith. As the founder, anyone can get closer to the universe: from living together with the process of life, to becoming one with the way of the universe, and even reaching the level where you can be one with Kami. Plant the seeds of joy so you're joyful at any time and any place. When the buds of joy sprout, apply the joy you nurture without bending it or breaking it. Selfish desires will cruelly trample down the buds of joy. (from 7/1/76)
Monday, April 26, 1999 Rev. Eishiro Otsubo Do not defile Kami's ground. [General Principles #10] "Though you are surrounded by divine virtue, you will not receive blessings unless you have faith." To be trusted by Kami one must not take Kami lightly. If you're rude you'll be treated rude; if respectful you are treated with respect. Just not defiling the earth is not enough. You should act with respect. When someone is disrespectful, take their place in asking Kami's forgiveness. Then let it be purified. Such a faith brings Kami's trust. Become an adherent of faith. To realize it dispense with logic. Purify the earth. Oh! Isn't it magnificent? It's just like hearing the voice of the earth. The earth, like a mother's body, is giving birth to every single thing. 7/7/68 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] Be a supporter of the faith. Our late master told of cleaning up the sidewalk along which he walked. He added that where there was dog pooh, that nearby was always something to use to clean it up. Although people live between heaven and earth, they are unaware of Kami's blessings. Shrines, temples, and houses all stand on Kami's land. Without realizing this, people consult the Days & Directions and are disrespectful to Kami. They suffer hardships due to these offenses. Tenchi Kane No Kami has sent Ikigami Konko Daijin to provide blessings and teachings so that mankind may prosper. Kami is Kami because of man, and man is man because of Kami. Both are fulfilled through this mutual relationship. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #3] Teaching #3 is one of the three divine messages. The first is the divine call of the founder; the second the divine request for a hall of worship; and this one to teach people the way to prosper forever. Each of them end in the same way: Both Kami and people are saved and fulfilled -- Man exists because of Kami, and Kami exists because of man -- Each supports the other as the parent and the child, or like Heaven and Earth -- Both uphold each other in mutual reliance for eternal prosperity. With this divine-human relation is where we are saved. The true wish just to be of real service to aid in saving people is the spirit if just people could be saved.
Sunday, April 25, 1999 Wagaakokoro Day Service 10AM Rev. Mitsuaki Otsubo Many place their trust in Kami, but Kami places trust in only a few. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #30] < see I Shimamura 4> Within the very humanness of our human life is the true joy of living in a way which is completely connected with Kami. It is a world of exultation inside us. We rid ourselves of the mistaken idea that the purpose of faith is to become a wise sage. We discover instead, a way of living that is made stronger by adversity. That is why we pray to have a receptive heart which accepts and sees sacredness in all things while trusting the invisible more than the visible. [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] 7/21/81 How much do we really believe in Kami? Actually, aren't we still a step or so behind this teaching? We haven't yet reached the level being taught. When you come down to the rare facts, there are very few who are putting their trust, their belief, in the spirit of our diety. On TV there was a traffic death caused by a heavy manhole cover flying up from one side of the expressway over to the opposite side. It must have been hit by some passing car, but there seems no way to clarify the exact cause of the accident. Most, if not all, of our world seeks to put the blame on some outside cause. Here, again, we can see how very little we place faith in the realm of Kami. A world within our faith-heart. Look within. Is the heart of my faith seeing the sacredness all around? Am I accepting the invisible energy of what is divinely being prepared for my true faith to develop? First believe in the process, only then can the process come to life and work for you.
Saturday, April 24, 1999 Rev. Eishiro Otsubo The more blessings you receive, the more benefits you gain. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #60] < see I Ichimura 1-28; 2-29> Blessings are what are in your heart. Virtues are what Kami gives to you. Also among the teachings of Konko Shijin there is: "Don't think that blessings come from Kami. They come from within the heart of the believer." However, divine virtues are not anything like that. The founding minister of Kurume Church has taught that divine virtue is the trust of Kami. You must have faith that Kami can trust. That is what real blessings are. There is no one who can win against those who have received virtue. 7/11/71 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] Follow the rules of the process of life and the process will work for you. It's virtue that first must be obtained. The founder didn't teach the process, didn't say all is divine love, and didn't explain the nature of the heavenly, earthly and orderly universe. But, the founder set out the fundamentals and taught how to receive the virtues of the universe. Edison discovered electricity, but didn't invent computers. Computers, of course, must use the electricity he had discovered. Our hands in prayer are like a lense to reach for the blessings of the universe. The common, ordinariness of the founder is so richly full of blessings. Being ordinary and common is the advantegeous way of blending with the great virtues and blessings of this divine universe. We want to recieve the virtue of divine trust, which is done by taking up the process of life with respect. We want to become truly human, a true person of virtue. "One can't compete against those who have virtue."
Friday, April 23, 1999 Rev. Eishiro Otsubo Practicing faith in many deities is practicing faith in excess. When asking someone to do a favor, if you rely on one person, he will do all he can to fulfill it. If you ask many, they will discuss how to fulfill your request and things will not go smoothly. When hiring carpenters, there must be a chief carpenter. Plants, also, have only one central core. If you practice faith with such a single heart, you will immediately receive divine blessings. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #36] < see I Ogihara 3-6,8&9> The way is a straight line. You ask but one person, Konko Daijin. "Such a single heart" is To resolve that faith is one's life. 7/18/70 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] Kami is not for curing sickness or avoiding misfortune; Kami straightens the heart-soul. There are even various doctors for surgery, internal medicine and pediatrics. As going to the specific specialist shortens the route, knowing the Kami that specializes in straightening the heart-soul eliminates wavering. When you decide to pray for curing the heart-soul you're able to 'reform destiny.' Open your heart-soul and pray wholeheartedly. 7/19/76 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] The human heart-soul is an amazing thing. It opens or closes whole worlds. This one person, Konko Daijin, has brought Kami into our world. Believers receive blessings through their single-heartedness. With a single heart all is made. But, on the other hand, with a single heart all is broken. The heart-soul is powerful and delicate. Amazing!
Thursday, April 22, 1999 Rev. Mikisaburo Otsubo Now hear the sound of the universe opening and be awakened. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #1] < see II Kunieda 12> The perfect time to hear the opening of the universe is when sickness or hardship won't go away. However, you won't be aware of this sound unless you practice faith. Such awakening is to find supreme truth. It's to compre- hend the real truth. You cannot understand it by being taught or learning about it. What is required is single- hearted, unwavering faith. * Reverend Yasutaro Yukawa has said, "The Divine Parent is the leader. We are the followers." * Reverend Matsutaro Yasutake has said, "Everything is sacred." * I realize: Everything that happens is divine. The three of us having heard the sound of the opening of the universe have been awakened in this way. It is the way to unlimited blessings. 7/18/69 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] Open your eyes. I open my eyes, but then find them closed again. Over and over again the pattern is repeated. How many times have my eyes been opened and saw the truth? It's true, the honest truth. But complacence sets in and leads to impudence which closes them again. We can follow the lead of the founder. The founder developed step by stepraising the divine qualities within his heart-faith. They are like stairsthat go from one stage to the next. Take pregancy, for instance. It's about 10 months of inconvenience. It's uncomfortable. And then juxtaposed to that, take the written character for 'morning.' With a little adjustment it can be read as 10 days and 10 months. Morning prayers are early and thus trains you to get through the uncomfortable and inconvenience. In time, conception and faith practice lead to the birth of blessings.
Wednesday, April 21, 1999 Rev. Mikisaburo Otsubo Kami dislikes fields or estates which have been deserted. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #14] < see I Ichimura 1-7; III Jinkyu 11> For the heart which has been deserted there will be no blessings. Kami dislikes it when those of the house are in disaccord. It is taught, "You have blessings in your heart" and "The foundation of faith is to be in harmony with one's family." Soldiers joining the auxilary transport brigade Butterflies or dragonflies together with birds fly It's teasing someone about something trifle. Even for one's faith to mature there is no other way but to care for the heart. Namely, do practices which enlarge or enrich it. [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] 7/31/69 A room gets messy and you clean it up. People coming to the church naturally leave some kind of mess which needs to be cleaned up. There are even temples of worship which no one visits. That messes are made and dirt collects is part of the process of divine work. Then cleaning it up is the next natural step. The heart-faith which is deserted will receive no blessings. Things go out of order. Confusion and a mess are the result. Then in time it is rearranged; a new order is found. It's the divine work of change going into a messy stage and coming out renewed, revitalized. In 1873 the Meiji government was getting strict on religions. These restrictions were even against Shinto priests. Worries were felt in his family. Kami said, "Your family is not to forget about Kami. Whatever happens, don't depend others. For the good times as well as the bad, rely on Kami. Do not worry." Then the village office informed him to put away the altar fixtures, so he records, " I promptly cleared away the altar fixtures. This made the worship hall look dreary." During this period Kami said, "Konko, be reborn. Take your first bath in ten years." Kami made it his spiritual birthday. Then he received the words: "Tenchi Kane No Kami Ikigami Konko Daijin Pray with a single heart The divine favor depends upon one's own heart" Then after being permitted to replace the altar fixtures and continue his mediation, the next month the words were rearranged as the Divine Reminder. "Ikigami Konko Daijin Tenchi Kane No Kami Pray with a single heart The divine favor depends upon one's own heart On this very day pray" Today, 1999, we can't believe in our government, finance, education, etc. What can we trust? It's really a confusing and messy time. It's evening-like and approaching dark. We can realize it's time for each one of us to enlarge the practice of our faith and enrich the content.(Back) < Back to the HomePage > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Rev. Richard Lee Dusek