Kaigai Shinja Benkyōkai in America Convened
Gaining Answers to Achieving Happiness in Life

Shinji Kyōkai was opened by Kami to save humanity. Like sowing a seed in the wilderness, Kami had chosen a steady effort to spread this environment where salvation is achieved. Ever since Shinji Kyōkai was established, it has slowly opened its Hikari no Yakata throughout Japan. And two years ago, in the state of Florida, USA, an office that serves the widespread shinja living overseas has been opened.  And kyōmu sōdan (consultation based on the teachings) and gishiki (ceremonies) are now available for people overseas. Wishing each and everyone’s happiness, Kami is leading all of us to kaiun no matter where we live in the world. With this deep love from Kami, Kaigai Shinja Benkyōkai conducted by Kyōshu Seishisha Tomomarukō Sensei resumed for the first time in 4 years on June 3, 2023 at Washington D.C.

Shinja, who has been waiting for this opportunity had gathered from different parts of the country as well as from Canada. “I have been wanting to see you so much…” With these words, Tomomarukō Sensei began his talk to the shinja, who welcomed his arrival in the US with a big applaud. The event began with such great excitement, and people were eager to receive and absorb the message of love from Kami presented through the Shinji.  

Knowing the Countermeasures to Stay Unconsumed Amid the Changes

The theme that was shown in the Shinji revealed for this day was a guiding principle to understand why the world today is swaying from left to right. Correcting the world that has been established by human ‘greed,’ we are now experiencing a time of adjustment, and moving into the direction of harmony. And amid the changes, we are experiencing quite a big change. But there was a sense of relief and hope felt in the kokoro of the attendees when they learned that everything will be okay as long as we have the “countermeasures to stay unconsumed.” 

“Countermeasures” may sound overwhelming, but it’s not anything difficult. For example, it’s as simple as wearing summer clothes if it’s summer season, or just live to modestly when the prices are high. All we need to do is to have the correct reasonings.  Kami said, The Shinji—the principles—this is where you will find the answer to achieving the happiness that humanity seeks today. Knowing the definite answers and the efforts to live in the correct way will elevate the way of life. Your lives will be free from illness, accidents, or disasters allowing you to spend lively moments that would eventually lead to a life without regrets. The teachings of Kami are not a particular way of life, nor some ideas to brainwash people. But rather, it is shown to us as a way of life that should be lived by human beings. This message touched each person’s kokoro and a conviction to walk as a shinja surfaced among the attendees.

The way of life for different stages of life; the fact that there is a certain way of how families should be; the differences between organized religion and Shinji Kyōkai; and the workings of the world were also among the many topics that Tomomarukō Sensei talked about in his lecture. But among all the topics, people gained a sense of reassurance to the part where Tomomarukō Sensei explained about Ōyamanezunomikoto—that Ōyamanezunomikoto, Shinkon, is like an energy that has the power to save people, and shows us how to live. And people also reacted greatly to the part where Tomomarukō Sensei said, “When you understand the teachings, you will live differently.”   

Tomomarukō Sensei answered questions from the attendees during the second half of the talk.  He added, “If you have anything in your mind, or disturbed by any problems, please come talk to us at Kyōkai. We have the guidance that will surely lead your kokoro to resolution.”  The strength in Tomomarukō Sensei’s words gave hope among the people for the upcoming future.

Finding Little Goals and Moving Forward!

After the talk, conversations flourished among the people who gathered for the event. Tomomarukō Sensei also stayed and talked to every single person. And everyone was able to see what they needed to put their focus on from this moment.

“It made more sense and made it very clear when I heard Kami is an energy. I also found out that it is up to us to receive that energy or not. I want to receive that energy and try to put the teachings into practice.”

“Today’s lecture helped make more sense about why the world is the way it is today, and how exactly we should live in a world like this.”

“I was able to understand more about the kokoro of ‘greed.’  Turning to myself, I regret how I have said too much or expected too much in the past. With more gratitude in mind, I want to live more with moderation—80%”

“There were a lot of worries in my mind, but now I know my priorities. I have to start with how I interact with my family. I realized that there is more I can do in my position and in my role. I want to do my best to create a deeper relationship.”

“If I live by the teachings, there is more salvation. So I want to learn more, and try to tell more about Shinji Kyōkai to the next generation in my family.”

And the youth shinja who hasn’t been in touch with the teachings until this day said, “The image I had that this Kyōkai is a ‘religion’ is gone.” “I want to learn the teachings for my life.” It was another step forward.

We want all shinja living in different places of the world to feel the love of Kami. And as one way of presenting this love, we are planning a “Kaigai no Hi—a special gathering of overseas shinja” at Shinsōhonbu during Kōju Shinja Sanpaiji. It is a plan to be in touch and spend some time together with shinja and a staff member from overseas at Shinsōhonbu and at Hikari no Sato. There is more information on our website. We hope to see you there. 

There is a chiiki (Kyōkai community for shinja) in North America and there are events being held in the local areas. In this chiiki and events, we are able to join in together with our fellow shinja and hone our kokoro together. For those of you who reside overseas and are still registered in a chiiki in Japan, please reregister to have you connected with the people and the chiiki close to where you live. For more information, please contact the information counter at Kōju no Yakata or at Hikari no Yakata. And if you know of any shinja who applies, please let them know of this information.