Long-Awaited Meetings Resume Also in Los Angeles!
Restarting together with Fellow Members Who Hone Each Other’s Kokoro

Following Washington, D.C. in March and Vancouver, Canada in April, the meetings were held in Los Angeles, on May 13 for the first time in three years. There were more people who participated as couples, or as parents and children than before. Some came to the venue driven by their husbands or children who were not members. Seeing that the relationships between the family members had steadily improved, the staff member from the Florida office felt a great change in the people who had been learning the teachings through church publications and streaming classes.

Sharing the Joy of Living by the Teachings and the Positive Changes Experienced
At the beginning of the meeting, Shinja Kokoro no Moto Benkyōkai (Family/Home) by Tomomarukō Sensei was held with English Subtitles. Because building a harmonious family is the foundation of happiness, all the participants were eagerly learning the teachings―hoping to have better relationships with their family, and thinking about what they can do to achieve this. Everyone was listening attentively to the lecture, writing down important points and what resonated in their hearts on Yuwa.

Kakari-Shinja no Tsudoi (a discussion session) was held following it. They talked about the good results they found from learning the teachings, and the changes they experienced in their kokoro. A woman who broke the ice happily told them about the change she experienced, saying, "I am short-tempered by nature, but now I can stop and think before acting impulsively." Reflecting on her past when she may have set unfavorable examples for her family, she expressed her resolution to do her best to set a good example from now on. Following this, talks about results of learning were given one after another―"Now that I came to hope to cherish each and every moment of my life, I'm excited to meet various people." "I want to do something that will help people, since I've got to know that my existence and my words can help others." They shared their joys with one another. An American man who has been learning the teachings for 30 years confidently said, "The teachings are the mainstay of the life of my wife and me. I'm grateful I can spend each day in calmness." And a participant who had been shinja for three years joyfully said, "Kami's teachings are like bonds that connect families. Thanks to the teachings, I could overcome our crisis of divorce. I'm really grateful."

Here is a passage of a Shinji revealed for shinja in the American West.

Shinji
The more you learn the teachings and live by the principles, the more this land will be protected and saved.
Kigan repeatedly to live by the principles.
This is the secret to obtaining a life without regrets.

As this Shinji shows, a male shinja who overcame a major problem through the accumulation of learning and kigan experienced a miracle of getting relieved of various frustrations he used to have. Now, learning the teachings has become a part of his daily life, and a kokoro of love to wish for the happiness of those around him has grown in him. When he said, "My kokoro is always cheerful and clear, and I want to share this joy with many people," warm cheers were sent from other participants.

Making the Most of Encounters With Each Other in the Chiiki (Kyōkai Community)

Meetings with shinja in the chiiki designated by Shinji Kyōkai are precious encounters that allow one to help bring out the best in each other and elevate one's ways of life. Through the gatherings of chiiki, each and every participant learned various things, like, "I came to understand you more than ever!" "I was inspired by the way you strive," and "I want to change myself by living by the teachings." This is the worth and meaning of the chiiki. Kami says the following about chiiki.

 Shinji
In the chiiki that Kami guides and protects, human beings that are in sync with the unmei are fostered, and as they influence each other, the jittai goes on to be elevated.
The more the roles of the three parties―shinja, kakari, and shokuin―come together and their trust deepens, the more the chiiki becomes an environment that fosters human beings.

Chiiki is an environment where Kami guides and protects one's kokoro. Because shinja of a chiiki are comrades who learn the teachings of Kami together, when they engage with each other―even if they may sometimes clash―they will gain awareness from their mutual involvements and they can get hints about what they should do. With their thoughts and feelings shared with one another, this day marked a new beginning of the creation of a chiiki that is one with the love of Kami who wishes for all of them to achieve kaiun.

On June 3, Kaigai Shinja Benkyōkai will be held in Washington, D.C., led by Kyōshu Seishisha Tomomarukō Sensei. In order not to miss this opportunity to take further steps toward kaiun, shinja, kakari, and shokuin staff members are working with passion so that as many people as possible can gather.