Tenrikyo Pearl Church

TENRIKYO PEARL CHURCH SERMON ‘ 2005 Oct

Good morning! I would like to thank you all for your kind support and sincere offerings. I am sure that God the Parent and Oyasama is pleased to see you today to participate in this Autumn Grand Service 2005. This month being the month that Tenrikyo began, which was on October 26, 1838, the service is designated as the Autumn Grand Service. As I mentioned in the prayer, our hearts go out to the victims of the recent hurricane Katrina disaster. We have collection box for our disaster relief drive which will be donated to the Hawaii chapter of the American Red Cross for the specific purpose of relief for the hurricane Katrina disaster. Please give whatever you can to help those in real need.

BLESSINGS ACCORDING TO OUR MINDS by Taeko Nakao

In our everyday life, sometimes things happen unexpectedly. Good or bad, it happens without our conscious intent. That is because we will reap what we have sown in the past. There is a proverb that says ‘we must sow before we reap.’ That is because whatever we are faced with in this present life is the continuation of the use of our minds from our past lives. Just as we can see our reflection in a mirror, we can also see the previous use of our minds by being aware of our present circumstances.

     When we suffer due to certain circumstances, it is because we have caused suffering to others in the past. Also, when people have betrayed us, that is because we have betrayed others. We need to understand that we have betrayed others in the past. In this world whatever happens is because there was a seed that was planted. Nothing sprouts without a seed. This is nature’s Truth of Heaven or ‘Tenri’ as in Tenrikyo. The ‘self-realization of one’s causality,’ in other words, is to become aware that what we are facing now is what we have done in the past and now that we know what suffering we have caused to others, we should feel remorse because we now know how it feels and then repent for our past actions. By going through, accepting and finding joy in such hardships, God will cut our bad causality and grant us blessings. After the bad causality has been cut, we can then ‘walk’ on the ‘broad’ and joyous path.

     Why do bad things happen when I have faith in God? Why does God give me pain when I go to church? This is nothing but the result of seeds that we have planted.

     The law of causality is such that we must pass through the path that we have laid for ourselves. But through the Tenrikyo teaching of accepting the situation and going through that path with repentance and joy we can cut our bad causality and walk on the ‘broad’ path.

     The joy referred to here is not the joy of just being happy. When we find ourselves complaining about not having this or that, we should try to count the things that we do have. This is where the path is to cut your bad causality.

     I would like to share a story from my experience.

     It was about 10 years ago when we were anticipating the Hawaii Mission Headquarters 40th Anniversary. One morning I felt a sharp pain on a joint on my right little finger. In those days I was visiting three elderly persons who all had rheumatoid arthritis and had pain on all their joints. Their hands, fingers, feet and toes were also deformed. I had been administering the Sazuke to all of them. That is why when I saw my fingers swollen and with pain, I immediately thought that this was arthritis. I went to see the doctor and the doctor just by looking at my finger, simply said, ‘it’s arthritis,’ and said, ‘I can give you a painkiller, if you want.’ I was wondering why this was happening to me, since I was praying for the recovery of people with arthritis. Why was this happening to me? I was so depressed. However, one of the three persons with arthritis who I was praying for, a Palolo man in his seventies, his condition improved. His body was stiff with pain. Even sitting and standing from a chair was difficult for him. In addition, he needed help to put on and remove his shirt. But when my symptoms began to appear, his condition improved such that he could cut the hedges in his garden and also go to Las Vegas with his sisters.

On the other hand, for me I didn’t have to take any medication, but when I used my fingers or my hands, I didn’t have any strength and I had to rest them often. My grip was very weak.

     In those days, I was volunteering at Queen’s Medical Center teaching arts and crafts to the patients; making cards and seasonal crafts. I used the scissors a lot so my hands felt tired and weak with hardly any strength to cut with the scissors. I use my hands to pray, to administer the Sazuke to those who are ill. So I believed in God, that God won’t make it worse. But rather, I really wanted to believe that. Arthritis is an illness of the bones and joints. This is the providence of Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto, one of the ten providence of God the Parent. Tsukiyomi-no-Mikoto is the providence of bones and support. The bone is under the skin and muscles so we cannot see it. However, because of bones we can stand, use our hands and walk with our legs. The work of the bones is to support our body without being seen. I took this to mean that I must learn to work to support or help others without being seen or without being complimented. At any rate, in my daily life at home and at Dendocho, I strove to work behind the scenes, in the shadow, without bringing attention to myself.

     We just celebrated the Hawaii Mission Headquarters 50th Anniversary last year. After the big event, my right shoulder became stiff and had pain on my right elbow. I wondered if the pain was from arthritis is and I went to see the doctor since I was kind of worried. Also, bumps started to form on my fingers and I showed it to the doctor. As soon as he saw the bumps on my fingers, he said, ‘This is not rheumatoid arthritis, these are Heberden’s nodes, which are small bony growth of the fingers.’ Now I am not experiencing any pain or weakness of grip. My stiff shoulder and pain in my elbow also disappeared.

I was just trying to help people and prayed for others in the shadow. And also what I tried to do was count my blessings no matter what unfortunate things happened to me.
It has been ten years since I was diagnosed as having arthritis. I take it as parental guidance from God to cleanse my mind for spiritual growth.

In the OFUDESAKI it reads; (Part 3: 47)

Ponder from your innermost heart to understand.
Through saving others, you will be saved.


Announcements:
1.     The Boy’s and Girl’s Association will be conducting their twice annual Leader’s camp and band leader’s camp during the Thanksgiving weekend on 11/26 & 27 at Dendocho.

2.     We are in the last year before the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama and I would like to ask all of you to participate by returning to Jiba in 2006. We hope to form a pilgrimage group for the children’s summer pilgrimage and hope that many of you can join us. However, you can return anytime during the year.

3.     The BGA monthly Hinokishin will be held on the following day on the 4th Sunday, Oct 23 at Nuuanu Valley Park across from Dendocho. Meet at Dendocho at 9am.

TENRIKYO PEARL CHURCH SERMON – 2005 Sep

Good morning! I would like to thank you all for your kind support and sincere offerings. I am sure that God the Parent and Oyasama is pleased to see you today to participate in this September Monthly Service 2005. As I mentioned in the prayer, our hearts go out to the victims of the recent hurricane Katrina disaster. We have collection box for our disaster relief drive which will be donated to the Hawaii chapter of the American Red Cross for the specific purpose of relief for the hurricane Katrina disaster. Please give whatever you can to help those in real need.

HOW I CAME INTO THIS FAITH
     By Mrs. Helene Mugihira

It was about fifty years ago in March 1955. It was the year before Oyasama’s 70th Anniversary. I had developed a skin disease on my hands in which my hands were always itchy and oozed. I wore gloves to cover the oozing. A relative thought I had leprosy. I tried all kinds of medications and went to the best skin doctor, but none of them helped me. One day a neighbor introduced me to Rev. Horace Hasegawa of North Pacific Church who asked Mrs. Sakae Katsura to visit me. She suggested that I go to North Honolulu Church. When I said, “let’s go tonight,” she was so happy. Both Rev. Hasegawa and Mrs. Katsura have since passed away.

It was my first visit to a Tenrikyo church so I thought it was strange to clap so many times. But I was saved by the North Honolulu Church former head minister from the skin disease on my hands. The former head minister Rev. Kaneki Honda told me to come to church everyday to be administered the Sazuke, so I went everyday. I told Rev. Honda to tell me everything “straight.” Don’t beat around the bush. He said that if told me everything straight, I would quit the faith. I said no, I will play tug of war with God and I will not let go. My skin disease was cured just by the Sazuke (Divine Grant). It was such a big surprise that I could go back to work within a month. Now I have no problems with my hands. I use it to clean things using many different kinds of cleansers. It’s such a wonderful blessing.

     Rev. Honda said that next year is Oyasama’s 70th Anniversary. You were guided to this faith in a good seasonal time. Make a firm resolution to return to Jiba for a thanksgiving pilgrimage. My family was Buddhist and I was teaching Sunday school at the Pali Highway Hongwanji Temple. Since I became a Tenrikyo follower, my family was against it. However, when I talked to my husband, he pleasantly agreed to my pilgrimage. I promised my husband that this is not a pleasure trip, but this is a thanksgiving pilgrimage and also for spiritual training. So I told him that I’ll be away for three months for Shuyoka (Spiritual Development Course). At that time my older daughter was twelve years old. In those days, we traveled by ship. The ship I boarded was called Hikawa Maru which is now based in Yokohama. This was formerly a hospital ship during the war, so it took eleven days to reach Japan.

     At Jiba, I took accommodations at “Oyasato Kan.” This was my first time to experience the environment in Jiba. Then I entered Shuyoka, attended the Besseki lectures, and I was granted the Truth of Sazuke. At that time I bought the service kimono for myself and haoli, hakama and montsuki for my husband. I kept my husband’s service robe in my dresser for nine years because I really wanted my husband to receive the Truth of Sazuke and wear this service robe. This teaching is based on husband and wife together. So when I came back to Hawaii, I asked Rev. Honda, “What can I do to have my husband believe in Tenrikyo?” He answered, “Why don’t you have the faith of two persons. Make double the effort in your devotion: one for yourself and the other for your husband. Then, God will surely work for you.” In those days, I really believed in my minister. I believed that his word is the word from God and so I obediently tried my best.

     My husband was in the military for four years. After being discharged, he worked “off” island for the U.S. government for four years as a civilian on secret atomic work. To reduce their U.S. taxes, many of his friends told my husband that they will move to Mexico, but of course he didn’t go.

It was during the year before Oyasama’s 80th Anniversary that Ikoi-no-Ie hospital in Jiba, needed hinokishin help so I asked my husband to go there and he went willingly.

     At Ikoi-no-Ie hospital, he was called “Mr. Hawaii” and was very popular among the patients and staff. During that time, he attended the Besseki lectures, received the Truth of Sazuke and finally wore the Service robe which I bought for him. My husband also, started to think that everything will be good if we have faith in God. During Oyasama’s 80th Anniversary, we stayed at Ikoi-no-Ie hospital together as husband and wife.

     During the 90th Anniversary, we stayed at the 38th Moya. And during the 100th Anniversary, my family, including my two daughters’ families returned to Jiba. My husband was sick in January so we didn’t go at that time, but we were able to go during the Summer Children’s Pilgrimage.

     This may be a little personal but my husband received the Truth of Sazuke in 1965 and attended the first Hawaii Shuyokai in 1972. In 1978, we both attended the Minister Qualification course in Jiba after my husband’s retirement. My husband has since passed away, but he did yard work hinokishin at the Tenri Cultural Center for twenty-five years. Our faith together in Tenrikyo was during the time of Bishop Yoshida, Bishop Yamamoto and Bishop Nagao. He passed away in November 1997, but Mrs. Yoshida, the former bishop’s wife came to see him to administer the Sazuke from September of the same year. My husband was always grateful and was always looked forward to her visit. He passed away four days after Mrs. Yoshida returned to Hawaii from Jiba. My husband always said that he wanted to pass away while sleeping and his wish came true. He passed away peacefully in his sleep. I am really happy and truly believe that this was due to the blessing of God the Parent and Oyasama.

     During one of the Hawaii Boy’s and Girl’s Association Spring Camp, I experienced pain in my stomach. The next day, I went to see the doctor and he diagnosed it as acute appendicitis. I was then referred to an intestine/colon specialist. My stomach was full of gas so my doctor prescribed medication to be taken for three days. At that time I made a firm resolution to return to Jiba in April and that if I couldn’t make it, I planned to go for the Summer Children’s Pilgrimage.

     As soon as I made this resolution, the gas in my stomach and the stool which was not really digested passed through all of a sudden. Unbelievably, I felt much better. That made my April pilgrimage be filled with such joy and gratitude. Tears flowed endlessly when I worshipped at the Foundress’ Sanctuary. I prayed to Oyasama with gratitude and joy. I thought that my late husband was watching over me and protecting me and so I also prayed with thanks to him. The church headquarters chief of administrative affairs, Rev. Masahiko Iburi, always said to me that there is no such thing as retirement in this faith. I will never forget his words and I will try to do my best for the Path.

     Mrs. Helene Mugihira is 85 years old and is still a very devout member of North Honolulu Church. This year she accompanied me on her 29th consecutive Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba. She said that she is not trying to break any records but to return to Jiba and help with the Children’s Pilgrimage is to give thanks for her many blessings.

Announcements:

1. I would like to thank those who purchased scrips and BBQ chicken tickets and came to help out at the annual bazaar on August 28 and also thanks to those you came to help at the Tenrikyo Pearl Church booth at Palolo Pride! Thank you very much!
2. We are in the last year before the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama and I would like to ask all of you to participate by returning to Jiba in 2006. As mentioned in today’s sermon, Mrs. Mugihira found that the pilgrimage to Jiba was her way to giving thanks to God the Parent and Oyasama and receive the Truth of returning to Jiba. We hope to form a pilgrimage group for the children’s summer pilgrimage and hope that many of you can join us. However, you can return anytime during the year.
3. The Autumn Memorial Service will be conducted on Saturday, September 24 at 8am.
4. The BGA monthly Hinokishin will be held on the following day on Sunday 9/25 at Moiliili Stadium Park. Meet at Dendocho at 9am.