February 2014 Vol. 65 No. 2

GEDATSU COMPANION GEDATSU CHURCH USA www.gedatsu-usa.org

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

2 News and Announcements 3 Meet Our Teachers: Rev. T. Kamiya 3 Dear Reverend: “How can I tell my

friends about Gedatsu? 4 Gedatsu Teaching 6 and Commentary 6 A Brief History of Gedatsu USA – Part 2 8 Personal Experience 9 Key Events and Donations Gedatsu Kongo’s Thought for the Month

“It is impossible to repay the profound and immeasurable blessings we receive from our country.” We live safely every day – a fact of life we take for granted. Sadly, we know that this is not true for many others in this world, like refugees, who live in misery and danger.

Our safe existence is largely due to the protections provided by our country. Knowingly and unknowingly, we receive immeasurable blessings from our country in our daily lives. We should be aware of, and appreciate, this fact. How should we reciprocate the blessings we receive from our country? By being good citizens and working for the betterment of our society and country through our daily duties. This will improve and strengthen our country for the happiness and prosperity of future generations.

FEBRUARY 2014

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Sun 9 9:30 am Sunday Service & Ajikan Meditation Sun 23 9:30 am Sunday Service & Ajikan Meditation SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Sun 2 10:00 am Japanese Kanshakai Service Sun 9 No Service, Church Open (until noon) Sun 16 10:00 am Japanese & English Kanshakai Service Sun Spirit Service Tue 18 Church Closed (in lieu of Presidents Day) Tue 18 7:30 pm GROW Meeting Sun 23 10:00 am English Kanshakai Service Ajikan Meditation

MARCH 2014

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

Sun 9 9:30 am Sunday Service & Ajikan Meditation Sun 23 9:30 am Sunday Service & Higan Service SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Sun 2 10:00 am Japanese Kanshakai Service Sun 9 No Service, Church Open (until noon) Fri 14 10:00 am Propagation Meeting Sat 15 1:00 pm Board of Directors Meeting Sun 16 10:00 am Japanese & English Kanshakai Service Higan Service Tue 18 7:30 pm GROW Meeting Sat 22 7:00 am Stateline Turnaround Sun 23 10:00 am English Kanshakai Service Ajikan Meditation Sun 30 Church Closed

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Attend Sun Spirit Services in February In February 1940, on the grounds of the Goreichi Sanctuary in Kitamoto, Japan, Gedatsu Kongo erected the Sun Spirit Monument as a symbolic expression of the spiritual significance of the sun. The Founder stated that the sun reflects the Truth aspect of the three virtues – Truth, Goodness and Beauty – which exemplify the harmony of the human character. Gedatsu Kongo regarded this monument – with its large circular sun image carved in its center – as a symbol of the sun’s expression of selflessness, fairness and endless compassion. The everlasting light and heat from the sun are attributed as the sacred source of life, which the sun gives freely to all living things on earth without taking anything in return. Through the Sun Spirit monument, the Founder aimed to impress upon us the importance of cultivating a selfless, giving attitude in our lives – and of radiating these spiritual qualities to others. Therefore, members are encouraged to join in the Sun Spirit services in February to recognize and give thanks to the sun for its gifts and significance in our lives.

Gedatsu Kongo stands before the Sun Spirit Monument on his 60

th birthday, wearing the traditional red hat and clothes

denoting his birthday celebration. The monument was dedicated in Kitamoto, Japan on February 11, 1940, which was the National Foundation Day of Japan. The year marked the 2,600

th anniversary of the

enthronement of the first emperor of Japan.

Saito Goma Applications Apply now for plaques for the Saito Goma ceremony, to be held at the Spring Festival in Sacramento on April 13. An application form is enclosed with this newsletter.

Casino Turnaround Bus L.A. members and friends will travel by bus to Stateline, NV, for fun and games on Saturday, March 22. The bus leaves the L.A. church at 7 a.m. If you’re interested in going, sign up at the church. Cost is $35 per person.

Birth of Future Abbot Gedatsu-kai Japan announces the birth of a baby boy, Teruyoshi, to Hideaki and Teruko Okano on October 21, 2013. The newborn is the grandson of Abbot Seiho Okano, the spiritual leader of the Gedatsu Church.

Obituaries The Gedatsu Church sadly announces the passing of Rev. Junnosuke Ishida, 88, on December 31. Rev. Ishida tirelessly served the church as a minister since 1981, earning the respect of Gedatsu members for his kindness, dedication and sincerity. He will be missed by all. Rev. Ishida died just three days after the funeral of his wife, Eiko Ishida, who passed away peacefully on December 18 at the age of 85. Rev. and Mrs. Ishida are survived by their sons, Tadao, Fumio and Kohei, daughter-in-law, May, and step-grandson, Derrick. Jonny Kazuhiko Numata, 45, passed away on December 12. He is the son of Mitsuko Numata. Richard Aadland, vice president of the Hawaii Gedatsu Church, passed away on January 2 at the age of 80.

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Congratuations to proud parents, Hideaki and Teruko Okano, on the birth of their son, Teruyoshi.

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MEET OUR TEACHERS

Rev. Kamiya was born in Gifu Prefecture, Japan in 1971. He was introduced to Gedatsu when he married his wife, Tomoko, in 1997. He worked as a ceramic teacher for about 10 years before he became a minister of the Gedatsu Church. In 2007, at the age of 36, he moved to Hawaii with his wife and two sons to assume responsibility for the Gedatsu Church of Hawaii. His biggest challenge as a minister is to speak English. In his spare time, Rev. Kamiya loves to play the guitar. He plays the guitar after every Sunday service, when Hawaiian members perform the Gedatsu “three-minute exercises.” He enjoys having a tea time to relax. He’s pleased that his ceramic skills have been contributing to the propagation of Gedatsu in Hawaii.

DEAR REVEREND

shoes, I would listen to your friends and try to find what would interest them most.

If your friends are stressed and want to obtain peace of mind, you can tell them that you regularly perform Holy Hiho and Ajikan meditation at the Gedatsu Church. I encourage you to join your friends and do the meditation together.

Listen to your friends and try to find what would interest them most.

If your friends have lost or miss a loved one,

such as a grandparent, parent, child, sibling or even a pet, you could suggest that they can come to the church with you and offer Amacha Kuyo to their spirit through the Kuyo stupa. You don’t really need to explain Amacha Kuyo in detail. I am sure they will feel something when they perform Amacha Kuyo, because it has a holy power.

If your friends are interested in spiritual things, you can share some basic information about the Gedatsu teaching: to respect Tenjinchigi, the supreme spirit of the universe, or God, and to respect one’s ancestral spirits. The core teaching of Gedatsu is to lead a life full of thankfulness and return the favor to society. One of my American friends once told me that it seems like people are not very thankful about God’s gifts to us. That is sad.

Gedatsu Kongo said, “Accept everything with unconditional gratitude.” When I shared the founder’s words with my friend, she said, “It is basically the idea of what Americans would call ‘finding the silver lining’ in everything that happens. It means finding the positive aspect in things that even seem negative.”

Our founder said Gedatsu teaching is for everybody in the world. I hope you will have a chance to talk about Gedatsu with your friends and spread this wonderful teaching. Rev. T. Kamiya

Q

A

I want to talk about Gedatsu with my friends, but I don’t know where to begin. What should I say? I am glad that you want to talk about Gedatsu with your friends. If I were in your

Rev. Tatsunori Kamiya is resident minister of Gedatsu Church of Hawaii in Honolulu.

For more than seven decades, Gedatsu members have been guided and instructed by a number of dedicated teachers, the majority of whom have come from Japan, learning the American culture while they made their homes and raised their families here. Your Gedatsu Companion is providing a brief profile of each of our current teachers to better acquaint you with them. Also, the “Dear Reverend” column is answered by each of the ministers on a rotating basis so you can hear their individual voices and unique points of view.

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“SHARISHI ZESHOHOKUSO FUSHOFUMETSU FUKUFUJO FUZOFUGEN”

The English translation of this passage of the Hannyashingyo Heart Sutra is as follows:

“Hear, Shariputra, all dharmas are marked with emptiness. They are neither produced nor destroyed, neither defiled nor immaculate, neither increasing nor decreasing.” Last time, I explained that everything is empty of a separate self. This passage explains it more concretely. “ZESHOHOKUSO” means that everything exists as emptiness, or that everything is empty of a separate self. “Emptiness” mentioned here does not mean nothing, but means that everything is connected with each other. Nothing can exist by itself. Everything exists because of others. Gedatsu Kongo explained this point in this way: “For example, if a grain of rice is kept in a storehouse, it will remain unsprouted. But, when rain, sunlight, etc., are added in the fields, rice will sprout, grow, bloom and bear fruit. Rice cannot exist without rain, sunlight, etc. A house consists of all kinds of materials: lumber, bamboo, stone, etc. But, when those materials are removed from the house, there will no longer be a house. Therefore, the house exists because of the combination of all materials.” Hannyashingyo says, “Everything is neither produced nor destroyed, neither defiled nor immaculate, neither increasing nor decreasing.” (Continued on back page)

OUR GEDATSU STUDY

Gedatsu Teaching 6

By Seiken Okano (Gedatsu Kongo)

Gedatsu-kyo monthly newsletter, September 18, 1935 Translation by Rev. H. Taki

Gedatsu is to discard your ego, self-reflect, esteem integrity and diligently strive to improve

yourself to attain peace of mind. This will promote the betterment of social conditions, lead you to the great path of humanity and cleanse society.

“Heaven generates virtue in me. Come what may, I fear not.”

-- Confucian saying

To know why one has received God’s blessing and has been granted from birth with the mission to save people’s hearts, is to know God’s will. If you do not know God’s will, you are not a man of virtue.

Neither grudge heaven nor reproach others in order to cultivate and know your character. 1. Earnestly strive to learn the path of Gedatsu, or the Natural Law, and teach others without

getting discouraged. 2. All of creation – from birds and animals to insects and fishes – happily accept Heaven’s

blessings and perform their activities without rest day and night. 3. All things develop and mature naturally. It is evident that this is the Law of Nature. 4. Look at nature! Nature, even now, says nothing. Furthermore, the transition of the seasons –

spring, summer, autumn and winter – takes place without a fraction of an error. 5. Without learning gratitude, it is impossible to achieve an orderly social system, establish

family harmony or assure one’s existence. 6. Gedatsu is communication between God and man. And this communication is realized

through man’s sincere practice. It is to observe morality. It is not simply to utter empty words or to repeat sacred scriptures. The truth is, in order for us to be free from hardships and suffering, we must become aware of the Universal Life Force by actively endeavoring to elevate ourselves with all our heart and soul.

7. There is no religion that has no prayer. Even in the absence of a clear doctrine, as long as prayer exists, religion lives.

8. A true religion has a genuine sense of devotion, even if it has no formal doctrine. Therefore, the history of prayer is that of the improvement of religion.

Human Nature is the manifestation of Heaven’s Will.

The Path is to comply with Human Nature.

Religious teaching is to practice the Path.

The lack of understanding of the above-mentioned has caused clashes between fatalism and liberalism. However, we should not be involved in this debate. Rather, we should self-reflect and study the path through practice. This is Gedatsu. In the past, people practiced asceticism, such as the denial of rest and food, to learn religion. Gedatsu is not just to think about doctrines or talk on theories. It must be actually practiced. This is why I say Gedatsu is sacred. Gedatsu study and practice is the best way for your spiritual awareness.

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Commentary on Gedatsu Teaching 6 By Rev. H. Taki

Gedatsu Kongo explained here the basic teaching of Gedatsu: the path of humanity according to the Law of Nature. When one deeply perceives that one is allowed to exist by God and receives infinite blessings from all beings in the universe, one will be aware of his/her duty as a human, and will attain true peace and happiness. First, Gedatsu Kongo stated that Gedatsu is the path of self-reflection and self-renunciation. As I explained previously, our views are limited and self-centered, so we are usually not aware of this. This is the basic cause of our worries and troubles in life. Therefore, if you want to be happy, you must have an inner eye of introspection and perceive egoism within yourself. When you truly perceive your egoism within, it will disappear. Self-reflection and self-renunciation, therefore, are essential for our peace and happiness. “Heaven generates virtues in me. Come what may, I fear not.” This is a Confucius saying. Huan T’ui, Minister of War in Sung of ancient China, had hostility toward Confucius and tried to kill him. At that time, Confucius stated those words to his disciples, meaning: “I am allowed to exist in this world by Heaven’s Will. I have a mission from God. Therefore, even if such a man as Huan T’ui tries to kill me, it is impossible, because my life is bestowed by God.” God grants us life – as well as our life’s purpose By quoting these words, Gedatsu Kongo taught us that we are all allowed to exist by God. Everyone has a mission or duty given by God. We have to understand this. This duty is, in essence, to work for the salvation of mankind and world peace through our daily duties. When we perceive this, we can realize a meaningful life.

However, there are seeming inequalities in this world. Some people have material wealth and enjoy prosperity. Others have no money and live in misery. By such appearances, you may feel that God doesn’t treat people equally. But this is not so. Everyone has his/her mission or duty on earth. You should understand this and sincerely endeavor to do your best in your duties without begrudging God or reproaching others. You then will be able to live life fully and attain true happiness.

Gedatsu Kongo outlines the essential points of

Gedatsu study, as follows. 1. Study and practice Gedatsu regularly and

sincerely each day. Do not study for yourself alone, but share Gedatsu with your friends. You will then be blessed by Heaven with peace and happiness. 2. When you see Nature, you realize that all creation, including birds, animals, insects and fishes, live happily while performing their roles. We humans also should realize our own mission on earth, which was bestowed by Heaven. This is the path of happiness. 3. When we observe the seasonal changes and natural phenomena, we can understand that Nature makes everything change without doing anything. We humans are also allowed to exist by this great Nature. 4. Nature speaks not a word – but it is working constantly and accurately, making everything change. This is God’s Will. 5. We humans are allowed to exist by Nature. Therefore, if we go against Natural Law, we cannot survive. Learn the spirit of gratitude, the path of humanity, and live according to this path. This will lead you to true happiness, family harmony, society’s prosperity and world peace. 6. Gedatsu is to be aware of the Will of God, and to live daily according to God’s Will. This is the path of man’s true happiness. You must deeply understand you are allowed to exist by God, receiving infinite blessings from everyone. Our present life is possible because of the guidance and protection of God, ancestors and other spirits. If you perceive this fact, you will appreciate their blessings. Gedatsu Kongo then says, “This communication is realized through man’s sincere practice.” If you have no sincerity, even if you chant holy scriptures hundreds of times, it is just like a frog’s croaking. Such chanting of sacred words never touches the divine spirits. Only your sincerity will allow you to live life fully. 7. The essence of religion is in prayer. Religion is not in holy scriptures, doctrines, or religious rituals. It is your sincere heart searching for God. Prayer is not brought about by doctrines or rituals. Prayer is the expression of one’s true heart. 8. This is a repetition of point 7. Religion is not in such forms as doctrines or rituals. Rather, it is in your genuine sense of devotion and sincerity.

(Continued on page 9)

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A Brief History of Gedatsu Church USA – Part 2

GEDATSU IN AMERICA AFTER WORLD WAR II

After World War II ended in August, 1945, the internment camps were closed, and Japanese in America were released to start their postwar life. With the close of the Tule Lake Relocation Center, Mrs. Ine Kiyota, and those who studied Gedatsu in the camp with her, scattered in all directions. Mrs. Kiyota moved to San Francisco and worked as a live-in domestic, resuming her Gedatsu propagation on her days-off. She found some families who had studied Gedatsu in the Tule Lake camp – such as Yukio Tanaka, Yei Takahashi, Wanosuke Matsuda and their families – living in Sacramento and other areas in northern California. They started Gedatsu gatherings at their homes, and Mrs. Kiyota visited them to teach Gedatsu. In this manner, the Gedatsu circle widened gradually in northern California. Most Japanese people had lost their properties when they were sent to the camps. They started their postwar life at the bottom of the ladder. Gedatsu brought rays of hope to those who suffered after the war. Although Mrs. Kiyota worried about the health of Gedatsu Kongo, she could not know his condition because of the chaos of postwar Japan. She later learned that Gedatsu Kongo was ill and bedridden. She eagerly desired to go to Japan, but it was very hard to get permission to go to Japan right after the war.

Memorial services for Gedatsu Kongo were held at Soko-ji Buddhist Temple in San Francisco.

Gedatsu Kongo passed away on November 4, 1948. Mrs. Kiyota was deeply grieved at his passing. Because she could not get permission to go to Japan, she had his memorial service at Soko-ji Buddhist Temple in San Francisco with some American members (see photo).

In April of 1949, Mrs. Kiyota could finally visit Japan. She visited her master’s grave and reported to him in tears what she had been doing in the U.S. She stayed in Japan for three months, during which time Takeo Kishida (Archbishop Eizan Kishida) kindly took care of her. He was in charge of Gedatsu-kai after Gedatsu Kongo’s death. Mrs. Kiyota returned to the United States with a renewed determination for the Gedatsu propagation in America.

Archbishop Kishida’s Arrival in America After she returned home, Mrs. Kiyota earnestly requested Archbishop Kishida to come to the United States to teach Gedatsu. After much consideration, he accepted her request, handing responsibility of Gedatsu-kai to Rev. Kimei Nagata. Archbishop Kishida left Japan for the U.S. in June of 1950. He was 45 years old. After he arrived in America, he rented a room at Fuji Hotel in Japanese Town in San Francisco. This place served as both his residence and the first Gedatsu church in America. Many people visited there to learn Gedatsu. Thus began the full-scale Gedatsu propagation in America.

Mrs. Kiyota (far right) and members attend a church meeting at the Fuji Hotel in San Francisco

The Gedatsu Companion is indebted to Rev. H. Taki for the translation and images for this series of articles on the history of Gedatsu Church USA. Rev. Taki wrote the articles, which were published in Gedatsu Magazine in 2008, to explain to Japanese members how Gedatsu was propagated in America.

Mrs. Kiyota (second from right) in Goreichi, Japan, with Archbishop Kishida. They are flanked on the left by Mrs. Kishida and on the right by Fumi Iguchi, who helped care for Gedatsu Kongo until his death.

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Beginning of Festival Immediately after Archbishop Kishida’s arrival in America, a small shrine of Tenjinchigi, or the Supreme Spirit of the Universe, was built at a corner of the farm land owned by Yukio Tanaka and Yei Takahashi in Sacramento. They erected a wooden Kuyo tower for the spirit of all races beside the shrine.

In August of 1950, the Fall Festival was held there for the first time in the US. The people attending there were all Isseis or Niseis, who had been released from internment camps and just started their postwar life with nothing. The Fall Festival was an occasion filled with joy and appreciation by the pioneer members, who found comfort and hope in Gedatsu in their hard life. They also found a bond with Japan in Gedatsu. Thus, although small, the festival was filled with their joy and happiness. Gedatsu Church in San Francisco An old house building on Clay Street in San Francisco was purchased as Gedatsu Church in America in September of 1950. A sign was placed at the entrance, reading: “Gedatsu Church, American Branch.” This building became the center of Gedatsu propagation in the United States.

Archbishop Kishida asked Mrs. Kiyota to quit her job, and gave her a Buddhist title, “Ken’yu.” She was ordained as a minister of Gedatsu Church, engaging herself fully in Gedatsu propagation together with Archbishop Kishida. Kanshakai services were held at the Clay Street church on the first Sunday each month. Archbishop Kishida visited Sacramento twice a month and attended meetings at Wanosuke Matsuda’s and Yukio Tanaka’s homes to teach Gedatsu. Rev. Kiyota mainly taught members at the church on Clay Street, and sometimes visited members in Stockton and other regions to teach.

Kanshakai service at the Clay Street church. The house had a capacity of about 100 people after renovations.

In those days, Sunday services and home meetings started at 8 p.m. and lasted until midnight. After the ministers’ sermon, members always performed Goho-shugyo. Every month, many members came to the Clay Street church to attend the services and study sessions, traveling not only from the Bay area but also from Sacramento. It took two or three hours to drive from Sacramento to San Francisco, because road conditions were poor. After a hard day’s work on the farms, members drove more than two hours to attend the service, and then drove another two or three hours back home after midnight. This was the usual way to study Gedatsu for the members in those days. Despite the difficulties, members were filled with joy and enthusiasm in their pursuit of the Gedatsu study.

(Next Issue: Gedatsu extends to Los Angeles, establishing the Gedatsu Church of America, and construction of the Sacramento Church)

Archbishop Kishida welcomes a member at the entrance of the Clay Street church.

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PERSONAL EXPERIENCE

I Married into a Special Family

I was born and raised in Bordeaux, France. I am

going to tell you how I began to study Gedatsu. Ten years ago, when I went to Shanghai to study abroad, I met my future husband, Kouji Shimada. My parents were concerned about my international marriage, but I wasn’t, because I had studied abroad and had a good impression of Japan from my visit. I thought Japan would be a good place to live . . . but I was wrong. I began to live with my parents-in-law. My newly-married life was full of surprises. First, I was struck by the Japanese lifestyle: “Husband works, wife stays at home.” Since I was raised in France, where double-income couples are common, I felt uncomfortable with this arrangement. Also, I couldn’t speak Japanese at all when I got married. I was frustrated that I couldn’t say what I wanted to say without my husband’s help. Stresses of a foreign lifestyle, religion The hardest part was the Gedatsu teaching. The Shimada family had been studying Gedatsu devoutly. Because my parents had no religion, I thought I wouldn’t have to study Gedatsu, even though my husband did. After I moved to Japan, however, my husband asked me to attend Gedatsu events, such as the monthly Kanshakai service, Holy Goho practice and monthly visits and Grand Festivals at Goreichi in Saitama. They attended these events even on holidays, which I couldn’t understand because the French enjoy their holidays. I had no option but to join in the events because I wanted to be with my family. I was getting stressed out and thought many times about returning to France. The reason I stayed was because the Shimada’s were a very happy family. I thought, if I was the only one who felt uncomfortable, maybe I should try to make myself comfortable.

by Nathalie Shimada Tokyo, Japan Translated by Tomoko Kamiya from the Japanese-language Gedatsu Magazine

After one year, my Japanese slowly began to improve. And for some reason, I began to get a positive impression of the Gedatsu branch leader’s remarks. I just had my first baby, and he cried a lot in the night. Being totally stressed out and overwhelmed, I was very touched by the words of our branch leader, Mr. Tamura, who told me: “Accept everything as your mirror image. They show you how you are. If you self-reflect and change yourself, everything will change as well.”

His words shocked me, because I used to get upset when anything went wrong. I always blamed others. I did the same with my son. I realized that he would be unstable as long as I was emotionally unstable. I needed to change myself. With these thoughts firmly in mind, I began to smile when I faced my son. Then, my son began to smile back at me. Mr. Tamura was absolutely right. Changes begin . . . as I change I began to get interested in the Gedatsu teaching. I did morning and evening prayer and Amacha Kuyo at home. I did Holy Goho practice at the branch as well. My branch leader told me, “It doesn’t matter if your hands don’t really move. Keep doing Holy Goho practice as your spiritual training.” My parents-in-law helped me to understand the Gedatsu teaching. They were always so thoughtful. After I began earnestly studying Gedatsu, people around me started to say, “You look more peaceful than before.” They told me that I smiled more often and talked more softly. Actually, I used to get mad easily, but now, I no longer felt angry in the same situations. I also felt that everything began to go well. I believed that was because I was becoming more empathetic and changing myself to get along well with others as I studied Gedatsu. When I first married, I thought that one baby would be enough, but as I spiritually grew, I began to think, “I want another child.” Two years ago, I was able to have a baby girl.

My mother and my brother visited me at the end of that year. I had them join in the Amacha Kuyo at home for the ancestral spirits of the Shimada family. My brother seemed to like the atmosphere of the Amacha Kuyo. He asked, “Does every Japanese family do this Amacha Kuyo? It’s really fun!” I said spontaneously, “No. The Shimada family is special.” Indeed – I began to see the Shimada’s as a special family. My brother even gave thanks to my husband, saying, “My sister has become a better sister since she moved to Japan.”

(Continued on back page)

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2014 KEY EVENTS Apr 13 (Sun) Spring Grand Festival 10:00 am

Apr 22 (Tue) GROW Meeting 7:30 pm

May 18 (Sun) LA Mother’s Day Service

(Japanese & English)

May 20 (Tue) GROW Meeting 7:30 pm

May 27 (Tue) Church Closed

Jun 8 (Sun) Sacramento Monthly / Kiyota Sensei

Memorial Service

Jun 17 (Tue) GROW Meeting 7:30pm

Jun 28-29 Rokujizo Bazaar Sacramento 11:00 am

Jul 4 (Fri) Church Closed

Jul 13 (Sun) LA Benzaiten Service (TBD)

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 19 (Tue) GROW Meeting 7:30 pm

Aug 31 (Sun) Church Closed

Sep 2 (Tue) Church Closed

Sep 6 (Sat) 65th 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 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 9 (Sun) LA Holiday Crafts Faire 11:00 am

Nov 15 (Sat) LA Stateline Turnaround TBD 7:00 am

Nov 16 (Sun) LA 7-5-3-Year Children’s Celebration

Gedatsu Kongo Birthday

Nov 18 (Tue) GROW Meeting 7:30 pm

Nov 27-30 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 & English)

Dec 24 – 31 Church Closed

(Gedatsu Teaching – Continued from page 5)

Following is a quotation from an ancient Chinese book about Confucian philosophy called Moderation. “Human Nature is the manifestation of Heaven’s Will. The Path is to comply with Human Nature. Religious teaching is to practice the Path.” These words speak for themselves. In the last paragraph of Teaching 6, Gedatsu Kongo talks about fatalism and liberalism. Fatalism is a view that human life is totally determined by something beyond human will, such as God, karma, fate, etc. Liberalism is, in contrast, a view that man’s free will determines everything in his life. While these opposing views have been widely debated, Gedatsu Kongo urges us not to be involved in this debate, but to actually practice the path in our daily life. Gedatsu is not just empty thinking – it is actual practice. Through our sincere practice of the Gedatsu path, we will be able to attain true peace of mind and spiritual enlightenment. This is the way to true happiness for everyone.

Gedatsu Kongo’s “Five Laws” and “Gedatsu Teachings 1-5,” accompanied by commentary by Rev. H. Taki, are posted on the church website. Go to www.gedatsu.usa.org.

NOVEMBER 2013 OFFERINGS

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA * $5-$25: Farah, D. Harrison, G. Hirami, Kitagawa, H. Kumashiro, M. Mori, K. Nose, K. Reckers, M/M Reckers, Rev. Sebe, N. Takara $26-$50: M/M M. Harada, T. Hirami, M/M P. Jackson, M/M B. Kim, M/M K. Kuritani, M/M S. Mizokami, Mizutani Family, Mukai Family, M. Murakami, M. Okada, K. Taniguchi, K. Tomei, C. Tsujimura $51-$75: K. Chinen, M. Michiuye, M/M P. Young $76 and up: C. Barthel, K. Fujii, M/M T. Fukushima, Hass Family, S. Imoto, M/M M. Ishida, Rev. Ishida, J. Ito, K. Kuritani, Miyamura, M/M B. Mizokami, T. Mizokami, M/M V. Mizokami, Moomomi Co. Ltd., C. Morioka, T. Murakami, T. Okimura, Peck/Weiss, J. Reid, L. Sanchez, F. Sueyoshi, D. Shiroishi, G. Takimoto/J. Stephens, Tsuboi, M/M H. Tsujimura, M/M R. Tsujimura, Rev. Yamada Special Acknowledgment M/M V. Mizokami Ancestor Kuyo M/M P. Jackson Ancestor Kuyo M/M B. Kim Ancestor Kuyo M/M S. Mizokami Ancestor Kuyo M/M B. Mizokami Ancestor Kuyo Hass Family Ancestor Kuyo Peck/Weiss Ancestor Kuyo K. Reckers Landon's 5th Year Old Service M/M Reckers Grandson's 5 yrs. old

*No. Calif. offerings were not available at the time of printing.

２月度教会行事予定

ロサンゼルス教会

2 日（日）10:00A 日本語感謝会

9 日（日） 教会正午まで開館

16 日（日）10:00A 日英・感謝会

太陽精神碑建立記念祭

18 日（火） プレジデントデイ振替休日

18 日（火） 7:30P グロウミーティング

23 日（日）10:00A 英語感謝会・阿字観法

サクラメント教会

9 日（日） 9:30A 感謝会

23 日（日） 9:30A 感謝会

２ 月度みさとし

「我が国土は我が祖先の霊場である」

わたしたちは一人の例外もなく両親から生まれま

した。その両親もまた親から生まれ……というよ

うに、わたしたちは太古以来の無数のご先祖さま

のおかげで今日の生活があります。つまり、わた

したちは無数の先祖の結晶ともいうべき存在なの

です。そしてそれは、単に肉体的な意味だけでな

く、精神的・霊的な意味でもそうなのです。今日

生活させていただいているこの国は、わたしたち

の先祖が国の弥栄と子孫の繁栄を願って粒々辛苦

を積み重ねて築き上てくださったものです。そし

て今も、ご先祖さまのみたまは常にわたしたちを

見守り、国の繁栄と子孫の幸福を祈ってくださっ

ています。わたしたちは、無数の先祖の「祈り」

と「労苦」の結晶なのです。このようなご先祖さ

まのおかげに感謝すると共に、ご先祖さまの祈り

をわが祈りとして、日々自分に与えられた役目に

まごころでお使いいただくことこそ、ご先祖さま

への報恩感謝となり、それが自他共に幸福に生き

る道なのです。

解脱人生相談 2

人間関係は鏡のようなもの

［本稿は、毎月本紙上に連載している “Dear

Reverend”の邦訳です。このコラムは、読者からの

質問に対し開教師が回答するものです。］

【質問】わたしは仕事上、気むずかしくて短気な

同僚と一緒にはたらかなければなりませんが、こ

のような状況のなかで、解脱をどう活かせばよい

のでしょうか？

【回答】人間関係とは鏡がものを映すようなもの

だということを、まず理解しましょう。鏡の前に

立つと、鏡のなかに何が見えますか。そう、あな

たのすがたが見えますね。鏡はあなたを映してい

るのです。それと同じように、あなたの目の前の

人はその人に対するあなたの気持ちや態度を映し

出しているのです。そして、あなたもまたその相

手の自分に対する気持ちや態度を映しているので

す。これが、人間関係というものなのです。

あなたの考えや感情は、それ自体目には見えま

せん。しかし、われわれの考えや感情が人生に大

きな影響を及ぼしているということを知らねばな

りません。仔犬でさえそのことを知っていますよ。

あなたが犬好きなら、黙っていても仔犬はしっぽ

を振ってやってくるでしょう。だけど、犬が嫌い

な人には仔犬はぜったいに寄りつきません。まし

てや人間に、同じことがいえないわけがありませ

ん。

あなたが同僚の方とむずかしい状況のなかに置

かれていることはよくわかります。しかし、あな

たもまたその相手に対して幾分かイヤな気持ちを

抱いているでしょう。そのことをよく自覚すべき

です。相手はそのようなあなたの気持ちを感じて

いるのです。相手の態度は、その人に対するあな

たの気持ちや態度の反映であることに、気づきま

しょう。

さて問題は、どうすればこの状況を変えられる

か、です。その相手に、態度を変えるよう説得す

ることができますか。そんなことは、もちろん無

理な相談ですね。でも、あなたが変わることなら

できるでしょう？ そこに、状況を改善する鍵が

あります。相手に対するあなたの気持ちや態度を

変えれば、あなたの変化に応じて、その相手もま

た徐々に変わっていくはずです。その変化はゆっ

くりしたものであるかもしれません。しかし、確

実に変化は起きるのです。すべてはあなた次第で

す。

「類は友を呼ぶ」ということわざを知っているで

しょう。これは、心が環境を呼び寄せる、という

意味です。もしあなたが否定的な考えや気持ちを

もっているならば、それがあなたのまわりに「否

定的な環境」を呼び寄せるのです。あなたが誰に

対してもいつも感謝と前向きな気持ちで接してい

るならば、幸せな人生を送れるのは間違いありま

せん。なぜなら、これが大自然の法則だからです。

さあ、今から「変革」への取り組みをはじめま

しょう。毎朝、仕事に出かける前に祈りの時間を

もつことを、お勧めしたいと思います。まず、

神々さま・ご先祖さまにご挨拶申し上げ、日々ご

加護とお導きをいただいていることに感謝を捧げ

ます。そして、同僚のご先祖さまにもよくご挨拶

申し上げて、天茶のご供養を感謝のまごころをも

ってさせていただきましょう。このような祈り

（ご挨拶）を毎日まごころで続けさせていただく

ならば、あなたの人生態度は大きく変わっていく

でしょう。そうすれば、それに伴って状況もかな

らず変化していきます。どうか、以上のことを今

日から実践してみてください。すべてはあなたの

心にかかっているのです。（回答者：瀧久和）

紙 上 講 話

神のみこころに心を合わす。

これを生活の指針といたしましょう。

山田一雄

金剛さまの説かれた解脱の教えは、教祖や教典

に帰依するという、いわゆる「宗教」の枠の中の

みには収まらない生き方にあります。これを説明

するに、金剛さまは「神人世活」という言葉を用

いて、神と人との交流生活にあると言われていま

す。それは何かといえば、常に神仏を信仰し、神

のご意思をよく心にとめて、神のみこころに違わ

ない生き方をすることです。

み教えによれば、神のみこころは全宇宙を統制

支配する法則や力としてこの世に表われています。

すなわち神のみこころこそ、人生の栄枯盛衰も万

物の営みも司る源です。そのみこころから遠ざか

ることにより罪悪や苦しみが生じ、調和していく

ところに真の喜びが生じるということなのです。

私たちが家庭に神を祀り、毎朝ご挨拶すること

も、毎月教会の感謝会に足を運ぶことも、この宇

宙の法則を司る神のみこころに自らの心を調和さ

せる生き方にほかなりません。

神が源なら、神は命も水も食物も富も健康も一

切を授けてくれる供給源です。ゆえに豊かさや繁

栄を求めるならば、その法則に調和する必要があ

るのです。心を正して、自らの行ないを神のみこ

ころに合わせるとき、宇宙の力の後押しを得るの

です。「神の恵みは求めずとも得られるのであっ

て、病気などは根本的に無くなるのが当然であり、

すべての平和幸福を得られる事は余りにも判然と

しています」。これは金剛さまの確信的なお言葉

です。

もちろん私たちは完全ではありません。因縁因

果の法則の中で、過去からの業を背負い、また多

くの業を日々作り出す存在です。神のみこころが

愛と誠と無私ならば、それとかけ離れた思いをも

持つ存在です。したがって行き詰る事もあります

が、そのような時こそ、法則の下でふさわしく現

われた結果であることに気づくことが大切なので

す。神のみこころに心を合わせ行ないを正すとき、

そこから最善の道が開かれます。宇宙を動かすよ

り大きな法則の世界へと目を開き、神のみこころ

に心を合わすことを生活の指針とし、常に正し

く生きることを目標の根底に置きましょう。

訃 報

ロサンゼルス教会会員・沼田光子さんの長

男・沼田ジャニー一彦さん（45 歳）におかれ

ては、2013 年 12 月 12 日に逝去されました。

ロサンゼルス教会会員・石田榮子さん（85 歳）

におかれては、2013 年 12 月 18 日に逝去され

ました。

ロサンゼルス教会・名誉開教師・石田準之助

先生（88 歳）におかれては、2013 年 12 月 31

日に逝去されました。

ハワイ解脱教会副理事長・リチャード・アア

ドランドさん（80 歳）におかれては、2014 年

１月２日に逝去されました。

ここに謹んでご冥福をお祈りいたします。

GEDATSU COMPANION Vol. 65 No. 2 February 2014

the two families enjoyed attending Sunday School together. They were warmly welcomed into the church by other members – notably Rev. Jerry, Pat and Terry Shiroishi, and the rest of the Tsujimura Family.

Rev. Kazuo Yamada, Editor Joyce Reid, Editor-in-Chief Editorial contributors to this issue: Rev. T. Kamiya, Tomoko Kamiya, Ikuko Kuritani, Marylin Nakamura, Helen Nishida, Roger Nishida, Naoya Okano, Nathalie Shimada, Jo Ann Shiroishi, Rev. H. Taki, Jane Tanji, Rev. Yamada, Yoko Yamada

(Special Family – Continued from page 8)

I had thought that religion teaches us something we cannot see. The Gedatsu teaching is different, because if I practice what I have studied from Gedatsu, I can see the results. I really owe my spiritual growth to Gedatsu. I feel thankful to my parents in France who allowed me to marry my husband, and my parents-in-law who practice Gedatsu and always do their best to help others. I also want to thank my husband from the bottom of my heart for his patience with me.

Last year, we were able to build a new house near my parents-in-law’s house. My two-year-old daughter is active and keeps me busy. I noticed that I have changed because I am enjoying babysitting more than before. One day, while I was talking with my mother on the phone, she said, “You are a good mother. I wish I could be like you.” I was surprised to hear that. Then I remembered that she was quite emotional when I was a child. She used to yell at me about little things. I realized that she has been suffering from the same emotional issues that I have. I felt sorry for her and tears welled up in my eyes.

Nathalie Shimada at home with her husband, Kouji, and children.

My Gedatsu study has just begun. I have seen my

son get overly emotional like me sometimes, but he is gradually improving as I am studying Gedatsu. My ancestors visit me through the Holy Goho practice and teach me how to talk to my children. Of course, I hope that my children keep studying Gedatsu. I will continue to study this wonderful teaching with my family.

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID EL MONTE, CA

PERMIT NO. 110

The Gedatsu Companion is published monthly for members like Roger and Helen Nishida. They were introduced to Gedatsu many years ago by Carole and Howard Tsujimura, when they became neighbors. The children of

Gedatsu Church USA Los Angeles Branch 7850 Hill Drive South San Gabriel, CA 91770