Dick Dusek's Dosage
Tuesday, October 20, 1998 Rev. Mikisaburo Otsubo 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] If our hearts are not accepted by Kami, even when wealthy, even with good health, and even being a good person will not allow us true happiness. First, through your faith your personal character will change and your family status will improve. Since you realize the great benevolence of Kami, your heart thickens day by day in the spirit to make recom- pense for such divine graces. Since Konko Daijin teaches that by receiving divine blessings and understanding those blessings, "you will live a peaceful and stable life; you will have descendants and gain wealth; you will receive divine blessings from year to year, and then from generation to generation." We need to become one of those that demonstrates such blessings. 7/30/77 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] Few people follow what is acceptable for the heart of Kami. It's because they don't understand the blessings of Kami. There are sages in India which practice various asterities. One has lived with an arm raised in the air for 25 years. The hand has rotted because of lack of blood. Another has not laid down to sleep for more than 10 years. Then there's the person who spent over 10 years practicing to run over water and cross a pond without a boat. These practices, of course, do not lead to Kami's heart. Even those of us with enough wealth, in good health, and in good standing in the world cannot reach an acceptable standing with Kami. We must realize the truth, a truth which is acceptable by anyone, anywhere, at anytime. Just knowing it isn't enough. We need to reach the point and practice it always. The plus sign (+) and the cross sign (x) have a total of 8 points. All eight points taken as one universe. This is a writing shown to me recently of our late master -- 'Hakko Ichi-u.' Plus stands for what we can appreciate; the cross takes the meaning of those things not of our liking. All eight points are like the eight wavy lines circling the emblem for the Konko faith. They join together as one truth and radiate out in all eight directions. It's a new dimension, a universe where all points meet with divine love and true blessings are received. Our late master prayed to meet the acceptance of the divine heart. May we also pray for a faith practice which will meet with Kami's approval.
Monday, October 19, 1998 Rev. Mikisaburo Otsubo Many place their trust in Kami, but Kami places trust in only a few. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #30] 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 Faith is belief in Kami. It leads to a sincere heart and into the Heart of Kami. With faith one becomes one with Kami. You join together with Kami. The human being is inbetween God and the devil, it's said. On one side there are people who will kill for money, for the easy life. Other animals kill only for the necessity of eating. It is only humans who have alternative motives and desires like that. On the other side there are those who will even die to save others, to save the world. In a movie people traveling in a rocket made the final decision to crash into the huge meteor which is about to blow up the world. The key has existed from of old. Like gravity discovered by Newton, it has existed from of old. So the process of life wasn't anything created recently. It has existed from ages past and has come to light in the ideal faith. The ideal is the key which has opened our awareness to the process of this universe. The instrument we use is the human heart-spirit. As when making music, we make faith and enjoy our beliefs. Of course, practice is needed. We are still weak and need to develop the strength of our faith. I really wish to develop my spirit to honestly enjoy my beliefs.
Sunday, October 18, 1998 WAGAKOKORO DAY SERVICES 10AM I am being sent with Revs. Mitsuaki and Tetsumi to a neighboring town for the 40th year celebration of the deceased spirit Hiroto Mata, who died 10-days old, To prepare for the ceremony Rev. Tetsumi and I are leaving before the 10AM services today. So I prayed and received this teaching for today. Anger casts a cloud over one's heart. [Toward True Faith #7] Oyasensei: "Stated simply. How do we receive this teaching? And why must we not get angry?" Wakasensei: "Since getting angry is when we're not modest, from that point we're cut away from Kami's work." Mitsuaki Sensei: "Because when angry we have a small heart, blessings are stopped." Mikisaburo Sensei: "We cannot interact with every act or each part of the process." Eishiro Sensei: "We wish to receive all of Kami's workings with a broad mind." * By asking people, anger erupts. By asking Kami, graces thrive. * Open the way as a foolish simpleton. 7/7/84 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] Yesterday evening the Mata's daughter came for mediation. She was returning to the bakery her and her husband operate and dropped in to pray. The edge of a typhoon was passing and the evening sky was a most interesting shade of orange. We spoke of the orange light shining off of the garden walls. I told her that facing Kami you receive the light to see parts of yourself that were not visible before. This is something to be pleased about, even when viewing one's worst self. Then she mentioned the service for her deceased older brother and we both prayed looking forward to the blessings of the ceremony. After she left I prayed for the her deceased brother and opened to teaching #43. You can not help but received divine blessings even after death. Pray even at the moment of death. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #43] That world; this world. The human world; the divine world. People are born into the world of man. Realize the uncertainty of the human world. When you desire to reside in the world of Kami There's no other way than to actually follow the teachings. This world is here for that world. 7/3/82 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] I felt deeply the grave need to really pray for everything -- death, the deceased, even at the moment of death. Praying for this service of a deceased baby and to receive such a deeply relevant teaching -- the divine-like timing, the unmistakable presence of divine arrangement here this very moment -- is all so awe-inspiring. That I, just an ordinary person, should be able to capture such a wonderful message -- be allowed to join in at such depth -- it's beyond precious. I feel so honored and at the same time completely undeserving (?? It's not really the word I need here, but I can't get it now). It's the actual feeling of entering into the world of Kami. You feel so deeply grateful. The moment is so very precious, even though one isn't deserving of it. The message so divine is more than awe-inspiring. This is the three qualities of high grade, enriched 'miki' (divine/human-made sake) -- truly satisfying, really pleasing, and such a delight for both divinity and humanity alike. This is just an attempt at explaining this moment of amazing understanding. The point of time when the divine request and our human prayer meet and become one. And all I did was pray and open to a teaching. So you see, any one can do it. Try and practice. Faith opens to such a wonderful world, an amazing world.
Saturday, October 17, 1998 Rev. Mikisaburo Otsubo Practice faith. Practicing faith means to direct your heart towards Kami. Though you are surrounded by divine virtue, you will not receive blessings unless you have faith. Even a lamp full of oil cannot give light without a wick. Without light, the night would be dark. Without faith, the world would be dark. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #21] Belief is strength; strength is light. Through belief man is saved. Light passes throughout the world. The aspect felt in this life is That the world is really dark. In this era, as on a dark night, With the strength of belief, with light Let us serve society. To get the belief of practicing faith which means to direct your heart towards Kami and to receive the blessings of faith, pray to Kami for all things, trust in Kami for everything. Belief will be born. This is "to direct your heart towards Kami." 7/3/70 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] A scholar has said, what you think is what you are. Thus thinking of Kami, or facing Kami we become faithful (?). I received during early prayers: Pray for the process of life, receive the process of life. It all starts with prayer. When we face Kami we truly get light to see our true selves in all our glory and disgrace, too. With this light of faith see the dirt and dust collected in our way of living more clearly. It's the human plight, the true human life which you can see clearly only with the light received from faith in Kami. The 3rd Konko Sama had prayed for huge requests. With the huge, the small is all contained, he has taught. We need to realize we are the naked king holding the misconception of being dressed in glorious riches. This means when we really pray for the huge, we will see our feet more clearly, our dirt and dust. The light of social standards will be but a small counsel. With the light of faith in Kami, what we see of our true selves brings virgorous energy to life. With the light of faith in Kami you will really see more and more of your dissatisfying self. Yes, the ugly-you comes to light more clearly when facing Kami, when praying for world peace and true human happiness. With your face toward Kami, though, what you see of your un-accomplishments makes you thankful and gets you to really look forward to building that better future. Look ahead and feel honored to be able to help work for the fulfillment of huge divine arrangements. The messy parts will come to light, of course, but with faith in Kami even these elements can become ingredients for wonderful work. Look to the future with hope and happiness. Be thankful of the light to see more clearly.
Friday, October 16, 1998 Rev. Mikisaburo Otsubo THE GRAND CEREMONY FOR IKIGAMI KONKO DAIJIN is today. Practicing a faith which is forced on you by others is a faith which is not genuine. A faith that is not your own is easily lost. Practice true faith with devotion. People speak of practicing faith together. A stone that cannot be lifted by one person can be lifted by the combined strength of many calling out in unison. Therefore, let all the members of a family join together in practicing faith. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #24] I feel the joy of faith in being absorbed in worship, absorbed in prayer and tackling the teachings. Without this joy you'll have to take defeat in a confrontation with nature. In just such a battle real strength is gained. Even combining the strength of those without any won't amount to anything. However, by getting those who have even a little strength to call out in unison, then what is brought about is much more than imaginable. 7/7/76 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] I was the minister on duty today and had no time to get any real computer time. I was awakened at 2:30 AM by some divine arrangement I'm not sure what. Anyway,I arose and washed up and had my toilet before I realized it was so early. So I said a short prayer and opened the book of teachings for my selection of the day. People living between heaven and earth are the children of The Principle Parent. If your body is in pain or ill, it is difficult to work. Pray for physical well-being, diligence in your work, rich grain harvests, and for your horses and cows. Pray with sincerity for everything. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #51] It's indicating the position for prayer. It states to "pray with sincerity for everything." To seek for sincerity is important. Why must we pray? It is because "people living between heaven and earth are Kami's children." In order to perform your work as children of Kami you just have to "pray for physical well-being, diligence in your work, rich grain harvests, and for your horses and cows." It's not merely for personal comfort. It is teaching the essence of prayer in the Konko religion. 7/2/71 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] All day my aim was the position of true prayer. I wanted to really incorporate the feeling of the living spirit of Konko Daijin. I received the feeling that to apply this living virgor to my life, it is important to go from aiming to devoted spiritual experiment and proof of one's faith. Applying the approach of experiment and proof to one's faith creates a living relation with divine works. May my faith take on a new aliveness to join with the living spirit of Konko Daijin.
Thursday, October 15, 1998 Rev. Mitsuaki Otsubo The more blessings you receive, the more benefits you will gain. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #60] First of all the minister has to show that he's received blessings. To acquire virtue is the first priority, because nothing can compete against those who have virtue. In order to receive the blessing of gaining more benefits, you'll acquire virtues when you practice faith by not being picky with Kami, not being picky with believers, but being picky with yourself. * Push aside blessings; take in training * The one fishing; the one watching The universe is generously giving without any limit. You need a posture for accepting it. You can't accept it just by watching. 7/12/77 [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] Today is the service celebrating the eve of Ikigami Konko Daijin's Grand Ceremony, which is tomorrow. This year for the first time the name has been changed adding 'the living spirit' (Ikigami). I am full of emotional joy. It's the revival of Ikigami Konko Daijin. Such a fantastic divine work, decided through careful consideration of ministers governing the Konko religion. Truly it's a revival of the living spirit of Konko Daijin. Tomorrow the prayer Konko Daijin Sangyoshi will be used in the ceremony. Teaching Number 60 is hard for us to really understand. You need the mini-teaching to guide you to better understanding. Truly, "the minister has to show that he's received blessings." That's the first requirement. Then the first step toward reaching divine virtue is "to practice faith by not being picky with Kami, not being picky with believers, but being picky with yourself." You can't be picky about the divine works presented to you in your daily activities, nor what the believers or others may do. It's all in what degree your spirit is in tune with the process surrounding you, the generous workings of this universe we live in. Accept it without limit. What's being taught is so clear. Why don't we understand? The ministers of Airaku must go out into the world to open the way to true peace and ease for the world and all its people. But for this great need, first the example must be set. There are still those who are drowning. Yes, ministers-in-training are not yet able to reach the mark. It's not them; it's not what they are doing or not doing. Instead, the example must be set clear and easy to see. Blessings must be received and shown. Our pastor has called on us to draw the line of the last stand for Kami. Draw the line of this last stand within your spirit. Stand with Kami backing you up. Take Kami's work as essential, important and sacred. Show the blessings of living in divine virtue.
Wednesday, October 14, 1998 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] 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 emotions are difficult the closer the problem is to you. To practice faith is the major point. It's not just to pray, but to do practices that lead to faith. For one's health, not to snack at night, to not overeat at mealtimes. These controls lead on and on toward the spirit which opens the heart to true world peace. Not to place blame on others -- develops the spirit for harmony within the family. This practice will lead to peace among humankind. These small practices are bigger than they seem; it's not just for oneself, it's the spirit for saving the world. Your practice arenas broaden and spread the spirit that you practice around the world. Rev. Dick Dusek received the image of a stone at the bottom of the river. It's hard and doesn't move. I wish to come alive. May faith become a living spirit within me.
Tuesday, October 13, 1998 Rev. Mitsuaki Otsubo You do not need anyone else to practice faith. You should practice faith on your own. If you need someone else to practice faith, you will also need someone to die with you. However, no one is willing to die with you. To practice faith is to live day to day. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #26] I received this message from Kami: "The craving for life." This means an active search for life itself. I wish to raise faith to the point where I can honestly say that faith _is_ my life. To do this it is necessary to grow constantly in understanding the real meaning of the truths our founder mastered: "To practice faith is to live day to day." [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] 7/17/81 That this teaching is received often is an indication that it is an important point. Thus we need to realize that it needs to be received repeatedly over and over again. We should practice it repeatedly. What is it that sets the spirit into motion? When our spirit gets into motion it can move other people's spirits. It's the true craving to get into action, to open the spirit and get it moving. To truly do it you need to really reduce your selfishness and control your desires. Check yourself. Are you but imitating the words to get into the spirit of taking off more of your selfish desires? If we only know the answer but not how to do it, you won't be able to practice faith on one's own. Practice it in your day-to-day life.
Monday, October 12, 1998 Rev. Mitsuaki Otsubo Do not become lax in practicing your faith, even when healthy. [How To Develop Faith #20] 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] Being negligent, having pride is because we're human. That is why we should always practice a little diligence. The spirit needs training. It's the same with selfish desires. Being human we all have selfishness, we all have personal desires. We are taught to reduce selfishness and control our desires. You shouldn't remove them all. Negligence, pride, selfish desires are like the dirt and dust which collects everyday. You cannot stop them completely. You need to clean regularly. Here's a teaching of the founder: "Greed accumulates in people's hearts like the dust that accumulates in the house. You must do the housecleaning of your heart and body to keep dirt from accumulating. Practice faith on this very day." Here's keywords for: The Five Requests: health, home, happiness, truth, and spirit. The Five Practices: Pray & Worship, The Daily Teaching, Spiritual Practice, Faith Practice, Working Spirit. Five Times A Day Give Thanks: In the worship hall, dining room, work place, bed room, and wash room (or worshiping, eating, working, sleeping, and toilet) In the dentist chair anesthetic controls the pain so that our teeth can be worked on. At church listening to the teachings is so very thankful, like we are anesthetized. But going home the anesthetic wears off. We're not really taking care of our dirty selves. It needs regular work everyday. Reduce the selfishness and control the desires. Don't let them accumulate.
Sunday, October 11, 1998 Wagakokoro Day Service at 10 a.m. Rev. Katsuhiko Otsubo, Pastor You do not need anyone else to practice faith. You should practice faith on your own. If you need someone else to practice faith, you will also need someone to die with you. However, no one is willing to die with you. To practice faith is to live day to day. [Teachings of Konko Daijin #26] I received this message from Kami: "The craving for life." This means an active search for life itself. I wish to raise faith to the point where I can honestly say that faith _is_ my life. To do this it is necessary to grow constantly in understanding the real meaning of the truths our founder mastered: "To practice faith is to live day to day." [Mini-teaching of Rev. Soichiro Otsubo] 7/17/81 As we're practicing faith we wish to bring up the process to become our true life. We want to be able to say we cannot live without the process. That is, we draw the line of our last stand with Kami on our side supporting us from the back. This is the real meaning of faith is living day to day. Without such an approach we wouldn't be able to raise our faith to where it truly becomes our very life. We look at ourselves and see our personal selfishness. That is the area we set up the aim to take off some of these selfish desires. Like a diet we wish to remove more of the selfishness in our eating arena or when bathing. Our day-to-day ordinary activities become the arena for practicing a faith that will bring more control in manifesting the divine blessings of Kami, and lessen the selfish content of our souls so as to polish the divine work of the process. The process is our life. Instead of using our energy to do harsh asectic training, put it to use in the day-to-day process of divine blessings. Learn to see how to eliminate more of the selfishness of your day, to brighten the world with a life based on the process of Kami's work. You'll realize you cannot do anyone else's faith. Thus it must be in your own daily activities where you practice faith. Examples were of Rev. Mitsuaki and his recent renewal of his piggish eating habits. Also much from the founder's life about his son falling into debt constantly for many years, huge debts and almost every month. And the founder's two daughters who had marriage problems and were on the edge of divorce or separation. So you will realize that the founder knew only too well of the problems of human life, but even here he raised his faith so it became his life everyday. The recent celebration of the founder this month at Konko Town is an indication of his living spirit being worshiped. The celebration has been called the founder's ceremony, or Konko Daijin's. But this year it was changed to the living spirit of Konko Daijin. It has finally been raised to worship his living spirit. Wow!(Back) < Back to the HomePage > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Name: Rev. Richard Lee Dusek