February 2023 National Service
Amatsu Norito (Prayer of Heaven)
Taka-amahara ni kamzumari masu
Kamurogi Kamuromi no Mikoto mochite
Sume-mioya kamu Izanagi no mikoto
Tsukushi no Himuka no Tachihana no
Odo no Ahagi-hara ni
Misogi harai tamou toki ni nari maseru
Haraido no okami-tachi
Moro-moro no magagoto tsumi kegare o
Harai tama-e kiyome tama-e to
maosu koto no yoshi o
Amatsu-kami kunitsu-kami
ya-o yorozu no kami-tachi tomo ni
Ame no fuchi-koma no mimi furitate-te
kikoshi-mese to
Kashikomi kashikomi mo maosu
Miroku Omikami
mamori tama-e sakiha-e tama-e
Miroku Omikami
mamori tama-e sakiha-e tama-e
Oshi-e-mioya nushino-kami
mamori tama-e sakiha-e tama-e
Oshi-e-mioya nushino-kami
mamori tama-e sakiha-e tama-e
(pause for silent prayer)
Kan-nagara tamachi ha-e mase
Kan-nagara tamachi ha-e mase
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, Who art in heaven,
Hallowed by Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth,
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil:
For Thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory, forever.
(Amen)
Prayer for Paradise on Earth
Great God of Light,
We behold Your plan unfolding
Whereby all spiritual clouds are dispelled,
Impurity and error cleansed
From the realms of spirit and matter.
The age of light and joy is being born;
Through Your infinite compassion
Misguided forces waken unto truth,
And negative practices cease,
While forces of light unhindered
Restore the world to peace.
All of nature receives
Your loving influence
And finds its rightful place.
Peaceful clouds move across
Brilliant skies,
And the fragrance of countless flowers
Floats upon the air.
Abundant harvests glorify the earth,
Every corner filled with happy voices.
Boundaries between countries vanish
And ancient conflicts disappear as if dreams.
All people are united,
Encircled by Your Light
And guided by Your Wisdom.
Through service to humanity,
All are blessed
With health, peace and prosperity.
Great God of Light,
Strengthen us with courage and wisdom
To follow Your will
And realize Paradise on Earth.
A WORLD FREE FROM ILLNESS
The great task of creating
Humans free from disease
Lies within –
The divine work and power
Which created Man.
Johrei
Is truly
The cleansing
Of the spirit –
A baptism of fire.
This way of purifying
A person’s spirit –
No matter how clouded –
Is the path to
Salvation.
Teachings
(Service readings)
The Forging of a Perfect Sword
In olden times, when a good sword was made, a swordsmith first thrust the rough metal into a hot fire. When it had become heated to the point of softening, he withdrew the metal, hammered on it while it remained hot, then thrust it into cold water. This process was repeated over and over, until the raw material had been forged into a beautiful, powerful sword.
The same process can be applied to our own lives. I think this is very interesting.
Since its birth, our group has experienced something like that forging. We have come through the hot fires of much severe public criticism and the hammering of many persecutions. At other times, we have been thrust into the cold waters of rejection.
Many people have asked me why such things had to happen, when we have always been engaged solely in God's Work. I have used this story of the forging of a perfect sword by way of explanation, and it seems to have helped them to understand the reason we have had many problems.
Since civilization began, those who have accomplished truly great things have suffered unusual hardships, without exception. The spiritual explanation is that the greater a person's mission is to be, the harder are the trials he must go through first. So, whenever we have any difficult experiences, we should be grateful.
1949
Impasses
Many people, including our members, often speak of reaching impasses in their undertakings, which perturbs them, but this is because they do not realize the true meaning of such situations. They often experience greater progress and expansion because of the seeming barriers before them. These may be compared to man's occasional need for rest when running. In other words, they are not really impasses but are actually turning points.
They may also be compared to the joints of a bamboo stalk. A stalk becomes strong because of its joints, which develop as it grows. If it were to grow without any, bamboo would not be strong at all. Thus, the fewer the joints, the weaker the stalk, and the more numerous the joints, the sturdier the stalk. Nature is a great teacher in this and in everything else. When we observe it closely, study its ways, we should be able to perceive the true meaning of almost all human affairs.
The above refers to impasses that come about in the natural course of events. Unfortunately, there are quite a few people who cause impasses through their own mistakes. These are the results of a lack of wisdom, of the individuals' inability to see ahead and to see what will happen as the results of their actions. Thus, individuals drive themselves to a real dead-end and are at a complete loss as to what to do.
Read these words and keep them deep in your heart. When you reach an impasse, remember these words and consider your situation. You should come to understand what to do. In which case, it is enough that you perceive the nature of your errors. Throughout their lives, human beings should make every effort to polish and refine their wisdom, for which the teachings should be read as much as possible.
October 29, 1952
Additional Teaching
Significance of Risshun
I have told you about the meaning of Risshun every year for some time, so perhaps it is not necessary to speak of it again. However, this is an exceedingly important time for God's plan and its importance becomes greater each year.
I cannot go into this too deeply, but all members will notice the fact that purification becomes more severe and stronger at this time. This happens both on Risshun and on June 15th, which are the two big turning points of the year. By this, I mean that changes become more noticeable at these turning points.
However, there is a difference between the way the spiritual vibration changes in February and the way it changes in June. The change that comes with the turning point in February is that God's action takes a new major direction.
The change in June is different from that, for it is then that the spiritual realm becomes brighter, that kaso, the spirit of fire, increases. I may say that the turning in February is God's time of reckoning, the time when we pay off our spiritual debts (the sins and clouds accumulated during the Age of Night), whereas June 15 is the time when the spiritual realm in general becomes brighter and this reflects on our lives.
February 5, 1952
Prayer for North American Sacred Grounds
Great God of Light,
We who are privileged to serve this Path seek Your blessing, guidance and protection in the creation of our North American Sacred Grounds.
Please guide us all to a deep understanding of the significance of this prototype of paradise in the spreading of Your Light throughout the world.
Enlighten us all with a true and clear vision of its perfect location, design and construction, and of the steps to be taken in its smooth realization.
We ask that our Ancestors, past ministers and members in the spiritual realm continue to help us in fulfilling this vision.
May the needed monetary and other support continue to be readily forthcoming through the joyous appreciation and service of our members and friends.
May the process of this creation bring ever-greater health, prosperity and peace into our own lives and the lives of others.
May our Centers overflow with Light, members and miracles, and our Fellowship expand in radiance and power to transform the world.
Great God of Light, bless our efforts, and Meishu-sama guide our hearts, as we seek to serve Your will through this joyous construction.
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Wisteria Tea Jar. 7th century
Artist - Nonomura Ninsei.
Red and White Plum Blossoms. 18th Century
Artist - Ogata Korin. Two panel folding screen.