Summary of the Shinji (October 1, 2020) from Kyōshu Seishisha Tomomarukō Sensei

The theme of Shinja Kokoronomichi Benkyōkai in every October is Daishin. What we should learn from this theme is a way of life which achieves kaiun(*1); a role model of such a way of life. For shinja who deepen the learnings through Shinji over the year and try to grow their kokoro steadily, Tomomarusai Sensei is definitely a role model for a way of life. Some may wonder if they could have Tomomarusai Sensei as their role model, as they could not meet Tomomarusai Sensei who protects us as Daishin. However, this is a miracle of Shinji; we could find that Daishin is a role model when we reflect on the theme of this year. And you will want to learn more the history of Shinji Kyōkai which has been led in the hands of Kami.

This year, we proceeded the learnings from Kigansai, and reached the time of Kōju Shinja Sanpaiji, and we are going to move to the step for the next year very soon. Before we learn the Shinji for October in the flow of this year, let’s look at the Shinji of a back cover of Yuwa.

The teachings Kami reveals to the society through Shisha are all principles.
The principles of life are immeasurable by knowledge or experiences of people without the teachings.
Shinja need to understand the value of the teachings and live life supported by the teachings.
The more the kokoro to live by the teachings deepen, the kokoro of human beings are anchored, and the kokoro will not go off the path.
Strive repeatedly to be the family with the teachings, and human beings could live a life to be one with the unmei.
This is the kind of person who gains a life without regret.

When we read this Shinji, we could really understand the theme of this year. As we find the principles of life are immeasurable by knowledge or experiences of people without the teachings, knowledge or information inundating society are not useful without knowing Kami ’s teachings. All of them are not necessarily right. Kami teaches us we could judge right or wrong if we learn the teachings.
With a recent change of government in Japan and other various changes occurring both at home and abroad, now is the big turning point of the era. Whether human beings like it or not, we could not stop these changes, and this is a flow of the era.
In such severe changes, Kami declares that the more the kokoro to live by the teachings deepen, the kokoro of human beings are anchored, and the kokoro will not go off the path when we learn Kami ’s teachings. Kami ’s teachings are accepted in any era and environment. When we set the teachings, which are certain criteria, as a guiding principle for living, we could live every day with calm kokoro without being consumed by the flow. The role model of such a way of life is Daishin.

Today’s Shinji, which shows the role model of life, begins by telling us what we should be aware of.

The kokoro of Shisha Tomomarusai during his lifetime continues to live on today (now).
The kokoro rooted in the teachings was the path of the principles sought by Daishin.

Tomomarusai Sensei ’s way of life still needs to be cherished and followed by everyone. The root of Kami ’s teachings is the fundamental shown as Kami, Hotoke, Hito no Michi. What Tomomarusai Sensei wanted for us was to gain the personality to abide by the path. If we strive to abide by the path of the principles, we could walk the right path as human and gain peace and harmony.
To show us the path of the principles, Kami, Hotoke, Hito no Michi, Kami has shown us various teachings that have held true till this day, such as the ten basic teachings and six elements of happiness (*2), and so on. If compared to a building, what Tomomarusai Sensei taught us was the pillars which formed the foundations, and Tomomaruhime Sensei taught us all necessary principles, which filled in all the important aspects of the building such as the roofs, walls, and floors above the foundation.
Now in this era of Shinkon (*3), we could walk the path to kaiun by living by the path of the principles, that is to say, to live by the right way. Therefore, what is needed for us is to be self-reliant as shinja by living with teachings on our own.

Then another awareness is shown. This paragraph deepens the first awareness even more.

To be grateful, to apply the teachings and show by deed, to self-reflect, to give back—everyone (human beings) who lives each day connected peacefully through these four attributes of the kokoro, will be protected by Kibō no Michi (the path).

To be grateful, to apply the teachings and show by deed, to self-reflect, to give back show the attitude of a kokoro which enables us to experience the protection of Kibō no Michi (*4). This Shinji was originally shown through Tomomaruhime Sensei, however, Tomomarusai Sensei explained various things based on the kokoro to be grateful, to apply the teachings and show by deed, to self-reflect, to give back.
To be grateful is the movement of kokoro which stems from accepting things widely. When we have wider views, we will realize that we should not take anything for granted but be grateful. Tomomarusai Sensei strictly pointed out the kokoro to go off the path and wanted us to have great gratitude.
Also, he gave deep love to everyone so that the kokoro of gratitude naturally stems. If we feel the gratitude to love given to us whether in a kind way or in a strict way, we will naturally apply the teachings and show by deed, doing what we could do. We will want to be of use to people.
And he taught the kokoro to self-reflect obediently. If we practice, it will lead us to self-reflection, like, “I did my best.” “I should have done that….” Tomomarusai Sensei himself also received a guidance repeatedly from Kami, and self-reflected continuously.
Moreover, he explained the kokoro to give back strongly that we should never forget the truth that we are supported by many existences like Kami, parents, ancestors, and people around us. He also never forgot the kindness he received. The attitude Tomomarusai Sensei showed was exactly the kokoro to be grateful, to apply the teachings and show by deed, to self-reflect, to give back.
In this era of Shinkon, as we are taught that when we “abide by the path, the light will shine through”, we will be protected by Kibō no Michi (the path) when we abide by the path of Kami, Hotoke, Hito no Michi, the fundamental teachings taught by Tomomarusai Sensei. There is a basis of teachings taught by Tomomarusai Sensei, then various principles revealed by Tomomaruhime Sensei became one with Tomomarusai Sensei ’s, and now is the grateful era when we will be protected and saved surely if we live by the teachings. Kami told us to be aware of this.

The next paragraph is an understanding. It needs to be taken in our own personality.

The kokoro (life) of Daishin supported the foundations of Chokushi’s kokoro (salvation), thus humanity today is saved by the teachings.
It is the time (era) for shinja to know the kokoro that Daishin wanted humanity to have—the spirit of harmony.
The path of the principles that is the source of the teachings is the spirit of harmony: harmony which merges with the three paths.

The kokoro of Daishin, his way of life is the foundation for salvation of Tomomaruhime Sensei, the foundations of Chokushi’s kokoro (salvation). And now humanity today is saved by the teachings. When we live abiding by the path of Kami, Hotoke, Hito no Michi, that are the fundamentals of Kami ’s teachings, we could control our emotions and characters, and bring out our natural good points. We could be of use to many people and live life of much meaning and purpose.
The kokoro that Tomomarusai Sensei wanted to see in humanity, Kami calls it the spirit of harmony. The spirit of harmony is a spirit to respect harmony; a mentality rooted in Japan. Kami taught us the kokoro leads to the path of the principles that is the source of the teachings, and harmony which merges with the three paths. The foundation of Kami ’s teachings, the basis of the path of the principle is the kokoro of harmony and it is a spirit of communicating with each other. That is the kokoro of harmony which flows at the root of three paths, Kami, Hotoke, Hito no Michi.
When you practice to be grateful, to apply the teachings and show by deed, to self-reflect, to give back, our kokoro become one with surroundings and could be in harmony with anyone. We could approach Kami ’s kokoro. We could be pure and free from greed. We could be free from having preconceptions or being influenced by profit and loss. Therefore, strive to get involved with others and in harmony with surrounding environments. We need to aim for it.

The next paragraph is also the understanding, and it is an attitude that everyone should strives to gain.

To the Shinja
Learn the teachings as a family; family members strive repeatedly to create a family that lives by the teachings.
The kokoro (unmei) of family members will deepen in harmony and the jittai will be greatly elevated.
This is the family that evolves guided by its unmei in the hands of Kami.

Our kokoro could deepen in harmony naturally if we learn the teachings as a family and are involved with one another based on the teachings of how human beings should be. The feelings to care for each other become one, and the kokoro and spirit of the family will be calm. If the feeling of each one is calm, weakness of one’s character is suppressed, the jittai will be greatly elevated. And the strengths of each family member will be brought out. This is the family that evolves guided by its unmei. To evolve means not only the increase in income or success in life. It means that the Kokoro no Michi inherited from our parents and ancestors gets passed down endlessly. Even if the six elements of happiness do not fully bloom because of jittai, it will be connected to the descendants and evolve without fail.

The last paragraph is an understanding.

Seek out the kokoro of Shisha Tomomarusai and live by the teachings.
The kokoro (life) will be protected and saved.

It is important to seek out the kokoro of Shisha Tomomarusai Sensei and live by the teachings. Even though we could not meet him in reality, we could have his way of life as our role model by reading the history book of Shinji Kyōkai “The Path to Truth, a Journey of Light”. Tomomaruhime Sensei is a Kami herself, a sacred position, whom we could not set as a role model. However, the path of Tomomarusai Sensei both before and after becoming a Shisha, is a role model for us to live with right and strong kokoro. When we strive to live with the teachings, the kokoro (life) will be protected and saved.

 

(*1) kaiun; Achievement of happiness and prosperity when we live by Kami ’s teachings that draw out the good unmei that Kami has given each of us, and where the negative traits inherited from our parents and ancestors are suppressed.

(*2) Six Elements of Happiness; Phrases which describe the fundamentals for happiness as humanity. These elements are, to be blessed with a spouse, sons and daughters, good health, occupation, livelihood and hope. The flowers bloom in order beginning with a good relationship between a husband and wife, then the relationship with the children flourishes. Following a good relationship within the family, a good health is experienced and a strong will to work remains. Daily life is protected therefore the family can live with livelihood and hope.

(*3) The Era of Shinkon; The era of Daishin when Tomomarusai Sensei established Ōyamanezunomikoto Shinji Kyōkai under the instructions from Kami.The era of Chokushi when Tomomaruhime Sensei opened the path to salvation with her unmei of Kami. The era of Shinkon when everything necessary for our salvation is completed after these two eras, and humanity could achieve kaiun in the protection of Shinkon.

(*4) Kibō no Michi; A principle of salvation revealed by Ōyamanezunomikoto that enables us to correct our jittai (temperament, tendency) inherited from our parents and ancestors, to bring out our unmei which we were born with, and to lead the life without any regret.