Risshun Service

Chairman Rev. Watanabes Speech

February 4, 2004
Dear members, congratulations on Risshun Service! Are you fine?
Today turns out to be a really wonderful day for which we have
long been waiting.
February 4, the day of Risshun (beginning of spring), means "the
beginning of spring," with all things putting forth their buds. At the same
time, it also means "the beginning of the things anew," as it is the marking
day point from which the traditional day of the eighty-eighth day (for
picking the tea leaves), or the two hundreds and tenth day (day of storm)
are counted.
On this day of significance, we received Spiritual Leaders Johrei
and guidance, which touches the inner part of our souls; we have received
a big light and power for our services hereafter from Spiritual Leader. We
are grateful for it, indeed. Our joy tops everything, for we have long been
wanted "to be allowed to expand our services in a sense of being united
with Spiritual Leader." Let us, in a sense of gratitude for the realization of
our long-cherished wish, begin a new start, beginning today.
To begin with, let me introduce to you the members coming from
abroad to join us. Here they are: from Thailand, 3; Brazil, one 1; ROK, 4;
Australia, 3; American 2; and Portugal, 2; 15 in all from 6 countries. Let us
extend a grand welcome applause to them.
On the Chinese character "Su," in todays teaching:
Todays teaching is "The Letter `Su, ` in which Meishu-sama taught
us as follows: "The letter consisting of a dot in the top, with three
horizontal strokes and one vertical stroke from the dot in the top,
symbolizing `the real state of heaven, the world of Miroku. ` The form of
the character indicates a leader sitting at the top, with his men under the
leader being bound by the horizontal and vertical strokes, suggesting
smooth proceedings of affairs in all sectors, including religion, home,
politics, education and organizations alike."
While listening to todays teaching, I took a closer look at you, who
were deeply impressed by the presence of Spiritual Leader, with a
monologue, "isnt this a really good thing," from the bottom of my heart. I
am convinced that Spiritual Leaders guidance has implanted in each mind
a firm faith for becoming really to be united with Meishu-sama as the
Savior, thus making the letter "Su" manifested in the Church.
Repeated presence of Spiritual Leader, say, two, three and four
times a year will surely make the prototype of the "letter `Su`" in the
Church firmer and strengthened, thus, allowing further expansion and
results of our services. It is our whole-hearted wish to be honored by the
presence of Spiritual Leader as many times as possible, occasions
permitting.
On Spiritual Leaders words:

I feel like being washed of my heart by Spiritual Leaders words,

being sent forth, word by word, from his pure heart of self-reflection, borne
out of his leaving things to the hands of Meishu-sama. I am sure you share
the pure feeling with me.
Through his words, Spiritual Leader positively urged us to make
"our faith of becoming to be united with Meishu-sama, the Savior, firm."
We are also taught that each one of use has been endowed with `the
imparted soul` of Supreme God, and therefore, we must always aware of
the link between this fact and Meishu-Sama; and how to have our stance
heightened, readying ourselves to meet the moment in which Meishusamas light and power are becoming brighter and stronger, more and
more. That is, how to become his instruments.
Meishu-sama taught us: "I am always thinking of the way of
making people happy," adding, "my biggest aim, a paradise on earth, is
meant to have my mind shared and expanded in the world."
I deeply felt that Spiritual Leaders words are meant to be a lesson
for us to be aware of the importance of reflecting our minds to the mirror
of Meishu-sama, thereby having our minus mentalities, such as
selfishness, ego, attachment, prejudice against others and adherence,
purified swiftly, whenever needed.
At present, we are, by adopting in daily life the "Three Pillars of
Salvation," based on `Johrei, artistic movement, Nature Farming and
Nature farming diet, following Meishu-samas life style, striving to `raise
spirituality, ` and to build a home of admiration for others. And I am sure
this stance of ours will lead to the path meeting the foregoing Meishusamas "three conditions for qualification," that is, possessor of
outstanding Johrei Power, guider of many people and devoted dedicator of
services to God." At the same time, it will also lead to the path through
which we are allowed to serve ministry as "Meishu-samas agent."
Needless to say, it will also prove to be a way of responding to Spiritual
Leaders wish.
Spiritual Leader also taught us that the construction of Heiankyo,
initiated under Sandai-samas leadership, is an ordained Sacred Grounds
by Meishu-sama, as a prototype of paradise, reflecting the kingdom of
heaven. We are also taught about the need, by awaring of the direct link
between our inner heaven and the kingdom of heaven, to breed the "small
seed" within us to grow big, for it will in turn be linked to turning into
heaven a home, society and the world.
Let us have a firm conviction that Meishu-samas salvation will, by
the completion of Heiankyo, keep expanding to the world, thereby
dedicating our sincere voluntary services further for the construction.
It is my wish that we can, by expanding our faith of becoming to
be united to Meishu-sama, consolidate our home ministry in Japan,
prototype of the world, for the spread of the heavenly gospel to the world
in a global scope, thereby fostering our Church, to be a Simon-pure one,
for unfolding Meishu-samas super-religious salvation in a global scope.
Conclusion:
In a firm conviction that Spiritual Leaders presence today will

prove to be a big turning point for making great strides in our ministry,
and a pledge to advance our ministry service in a sense of common
gratitude and joy, I now close my words of greetings. Thank you very
much.