I would first like to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support that you continuously exercise through your dedicated participation in our daily and monthly services, whether it be in-person or online, as well as your consistent engagement in our practices of faith, which are centered on the practice of Johrei and the study of Meishu-sama’s Teachings.

Recently the world has experienced many severe natural disasters in the form of earthquakes, floods and volcanic eruptions, to name just a few.

I now express my gratitude to you for your prayers directed to send Light to the victims of these disasters, as well as to their families and loved ones. Let us continue praying for them, as well as to the victims of wars and other man-made disasters.

According to today’s Teaching: “Human speech also has great influence on climate and weather. Words that express negativity – lies, complaints, grumbling, abuses, etc. – form clouds in the spiritual realm.”

And so, let us give thought and reflect upon ourselves as to what extent our own negative thoughts, words and actions may actually be contributing to the many natural disasters that are occurring worldwide, and instead determine to manifest positive deeds, mindsets and speech, so that we each are doing our part to contribute to the lessening of number of catastrophes that are plaguing our planet. 

October the 5th will mark the 10th year anniversary of the transition of Rev. Tetsuo Watanabe, whom I had the honor and privilege of having met. Some people present here today also had that same privilege, or at least have heard about his brilliant and extraordinary existence.

Throughout his ministerial life, Rev. Watanabe inspired thousands and thousands of people by sharing stories of the numerous significant events that impacted his life. There are two of these passages that I wish to share with you now:

A SIGNIFICANT LOSS

I married Masako Takai in 1968, and our union was to be blessed with the birth of four children. After personally experiencing numerous Johrei miracles through which I had the privilege of playing a prominent role in providing vital religious assistance to those who had given up hope for their ailments after having sought remedies traditional medical approaches, I was struck by a great loss with the sudden passing of my eldest son, Kazunori, with whom I had a very special relationship.

From his birth, I had eagerly taken on the role of caring for him in place of his mother. I so enjoyed changing his diapers, giving him baths, playing with him, singing in his presence, and even felt jealous of my wife Masako because she was able to breastfeed him, and I could not. We had an intense bond, filled with moments of relaxation and affection. He was a cheerful, communicative child who became the primary focus of my adoration.

Suddenly, in 1975, when he was four and a half years old, he developed kidney failure and was no longer able to urinate and was diagnosed with nephrotic syndrome. From the onset of symptoms, I channeled Johrei to him intensely. We also received visits from various missionaries who channeled Johrei to him.

My family's routine was completely disrupted by this tragic development. I devoted myself entirely to my son, resting only briefly every day and staying awake at night by his side, caring for him and channeling Johrei endlessly. My wife took care of our two younger children, as well as me and our home.

Days passed without any indications of Kazunori's recovery. Fatigue began to take its toll on all of us. Desolation persisted. I suffered, thinking that, as an instrument of God and Meishu-sama, I had been used effectively to save many people with similar illnesses, including nephrosis - who had given up after experiencing medicines failures. My goodness, I had even witnessed resurrections! Yet, I was not granted permission to heal my own beloved son. My heart was filled with devastation. It pained me to see little precious Kazunori face his suffering day after day.

The support of friends helped in every way. Every day, he always received Johrei from someone.

The days went by, and suddenly, I realized that I had already spent seventy days and nights caring for my son. Yet he showed no signs of improvement. Tired and riddled with sadness, I sought strength in Meishu-sama's teachings. One day, as I didn't yet have a home altar, I opened the book and, in distress, exclaimed aloud:

"Meishu-sama, enough! Enough of testing me! I will always be your instrument, whatever happens. If my son still has a mission on Earth, let the purification happen for as long as it needs to. But if his mission has already been fulfilled and he needs to depart to the Spiritual World, please take him soon."

An hour later, Kazunori developed a high fever. The doctor who was attending to him diagnosed pneumonia and suggested that I take him to the hospital for oxygen, as his breathing had become difficult and labored.

At the hospital, when the doctor brought the mask close to my son's face, he refused it. He removed it with his own little hands and tossed it aside. I made an effort to put the mask back on, but he insisted on taking it off. I asked:

"Kazunori, don't you want to wear it?"

He looked at me intensely, firmly denying my help, and then he passed away. It was September 13th, 1975. I was in a state of shock. Only one hour after my outpouring in front of the teachings book, Meishu-sama had already answered my plea. Kazunori's mission had come to an end. Despite the pain, I reached such an understanding.

As I had always drawn lessons from my life experiences, I had learned that everything said before God is very serious. 

The next day, Kazunori was buried in Rio de Janeiro. We received huge unwavering support from fellow members. After the funeral ceremonies, we returned home, which for me was so difficult.

Takamasa, meanwhile, constantly called for his brother. He wanted to know where he was and searched the entire house.

Within me, I felt that everything I had built had crumbled. With this state of mind, I called my father to inform him of Kazunori's passing:

"Dad, you've lost your grandson!"

He listened and tried to console me:

"I'm so sorry! I've also lost three children. That's why I understand so deeply what you're going through. Through this experience, you will have gained the true qualifications of a minister. From now on, you'll be able to empathize with the pains of church members and never judge those who suffer, thinking it may be due to a lack of faith or dedication."

He spoke these words and then invited me, my wife, and children to come to Japan to attend the 50th-day memorial service for Kazunori and receive his support.

Those words from my father remained engraved in my heart. I recognized that I was being prepared to gain the feeling of compassion that I had not yet possessed.

From that point on, when I learned that someone had lost a loved one, I would cry along with them. I already knew what it felt like to lose a loved one. I wouldn't say anything; I would just cry with them to share in their sadness and offer support. And so, I often remembered the pain I had experienced on the day of my son's death. One of the priceless gifts I was given was to be able to feel others' suffering as if I were in their shoes. I reacted this way so many times that I found a way to guide my disciples and church members, by putting myself in their situation.

To those who lose a loved one, I never say "don't cry." On the contrary, I advise them to cry, remembering the good times they spent together. A person shouldn't cry out of sadness but rather shed tears of emotion and longing. This is not attachment. I always recommend shedding tears and thanking the spirit for the joy and happiness that was shared.

What one should not do at this time is wish or ask God for the spirit to return to this world. If you ask, and they return, that is attachment. But crying out of longing is absolutely acceptable. Cry as much as you want. Only time can fill the void in a person’s chest, the emptiness felt by the loss of a loved one. So, I often advise to seek doing what the deceased wanted to do if they were still alive. Do it on their behalf. This act greatly helps to save them in the Spiritual World.

When I lost my son, if a friend came to my house and simply hugged me and cried with me, they were already offering me great comfort.

I also came to understand that we should never judge anyone for the death of a person, by accusing them of not channeling enough Johrei, or saying, "if you had sent them to the hospital and they had surgery, maybe they would have survived." Blaming someone for a person's death is very wrong and should never be done. There is always a hidden reason behind appearances. Nothing happens by chance. Everything is determined by God.

I always remember Nidai-sama's guidance when she said that if a person passes away, even at a young age, it's because they have already fulfilled their mission and have received permission to die. Many people suffer because they lack this understanding and sometimes seek someone to blame for the death of a loved one. But it's good to know that no one dies before their time. Those who believe in the eternity of the soul understand that our loved ones continue to live within us. For this reason, when I achieve something, I always think that it was possible thanks to the collaboration and support of all those in the Spiritual World who continue to work with me. In those moments, I try to express my heartfelt gratitude for their actions.

Another experience shared by Rev. Watanabe is entitled:

THREE PILLARS OF THE DIVINE WORK

In January of 1974, I was appointed by the leadership of our Church in Brazil to serve in São Paulo. At that time, I left the Church in Rio de Janeiro under the responsibility of Rev. Norio Shirasawa, who, along with two other ministers: Milton Ventura and Yara Carvalho, formed three important pillars of our expansion in Rio de Janeiro.

Since his arrival in Brazil Rev. Norio had always worked by my side. He was well-known for his loyalty to me, and I appointed him to be the main person in charge of nearly fifteen thousand members and hundreds of missionaries.

Rev. Yara possessed attributes that set her apart within the Johrei community, such as her patience and tolerance. Moreover, she inspired trust and acted as a loving and dedicated minister. She lived in my house, and I considered her like my own daughter. 

When structuring the Church in Rio de Janeiro, I created a dissemination center in the northern zone of the city, which encompassed twelve neighborhoods, and I appointed her to lead about a thousand Johrei members from that region, starting from a Johrei Center in the Riachuelo neighborhood. Upon learning that she would be working in this region as one of the three pillars I had prepared to care for the dissemination in Rio de Janeiro, she recorded her thoughts on November 23rd, 1974, in the pages of her diary:

Three pillars of friendship and mutual commitment. From today, our attention will be focused on creating and developing harmony. Forming a united dome, guided by this spirit, we desire and will strive to intensify it more and more, in order to transmit it to all members of the church and its attendees. With this harmony, there will be light and much protection from God and Meishu-sama, which is indispensable for the expansion of his doctrine.

I also enjoyed a deep friendship with Rev. Milton and entrusted him with various responsibilities. The first one, in 1970, was as an instructor of our doctrine. When he received his ministerial certificate, I assigned him yet another task: to assume responsibility for the dissemination of our movement in the southern zone of the city, starting from the Urca neighborhood, where he became responsible for 1,500 Johrei members. He was known to be a calm missionary who expressed his feelings in a natural way.

On March 26th, 1976, he did something that caught the attention of one of his missionaries: he gathered several personal belongings and handed them to this missionary, instructing that if something happened to him, these objects should be delivered to his wife, Celia. Rev. Milton had always had a premonition that he would die at the age of 40 and had previously mentioned it to his wife. For this reason, he was always prepared for any eventuality.

Only three days later, on the night of March 29th, the three ministers, Norio, Milton, and Yara, left Rio de Janeiro for São Paulo to attend meetings at the Central Headquarters of the Church. They were all in the same car when they were involved in a terrible car accident on the Presidente Dutra Highway.

Rev. Milton and Rev. Yara passed away at the age of 39, and Rev. Norio at the age of 32. On the morning of March 30th, 1976, the Church in Brazil awoke in mourning with the tragic news.

On the day of the death of these three ministers, I was not in Brazil, as I had departed for Japan the day before, where I would participate in meetings and the monthly service held at the Sacred Grounds. Consequently, because I was traveling, I was unaware of the tragedy.

The sad news reached Japan much faster than the plane that was transporting me there. The Japanese leaders were aware of the long journey I would have to undertake to reach the General Headquarters in Atami, so they decided to deliver the news at the airport. They arranged for a representative to wait for my arrival and then inform me of the accident that had resulted in the deaths of the three ministers.

I heard the news while waiting for my luggage. It was such a shock that I couldn't remain standing. I felt the world was collapsing within me. I could only remain seated and had no strength to stand up, unable to utter even a single word. My thoughts turned to Meishu-sama, trying to find an explanation for the events that I alone was unable to unravel, comprehend or accept. "Meishu-sama, I have always dedicated and worked, day and night, for the happiness of people. Why is this happening to me? I lost the three ministers I trained as pillars, all at once. Why?", I cried.

In that painful moment, I wished it was all just a nightmare, but reality forced me to face the facts. I felt guilty, thinking that somehow, I could have prevented this tragic accident.

My suffering seemed endless. I couldn't see the future anymore or fill the void that had opened inside me. If I had lost my arms, I might not have suffered as much. But by losing my beloved son and the three ministers who were my pillars, it was worse than losing my arms and legs. I felt that since the death of my son Kazunori, six months before this tragedy, my spirit had been prepared to cope with the pain of loss. Enveloped in massive suffering now, I sought the reason for these premature deaths.

Speculations emerged at all levels within the Church, and each person interpreted the various events as they wished. However, the interpretation that was reserved for me was to come in a special way, just a few days after the tragedy.

My schedule called for me to visit the Sacred Ground in Kyoto. As planned, I went to the Atami station, and while waiting for the train, providence manifested a chance encounter between myself and the Third Spiritual Leader, Sandai-sama.

When she saw me on the platform, she advised her assistants that she wanted to talk to me, who led me to where she was.

- "Watanabe, how are you? Are you also traveling? Where to?"

- "I'm going to Kyoto."

- "Ah! Then, let's go together. I'm also waiting for the train to Kyoto."

We boarded the train, and as we settled in, Sandai-sama asked me to sit face-to-face in front of her. She already knew of all the events and wanted to talk to me. As the supreme head of our movement, she felt that she could console me with words inspired by Meishu-sama, and said to me:

- "Watanabe, I'm so sorry. I have been very touched by what you've had been through in these past few months. Within such a short period of time, you have lost four very important people. Surely it has been so very difficult, right? However, no matter how challenging it has been, I believe these events have a profound meaning. These four people were predestined to become four vital and essential pillars to support God's work in Brazil. Certainly, without question, they will be a great support for your mission from the Spiritual World."

As I listened to Sandai-sama's words, I felt a ray of Light invading my soul, easing my heart and dispelling the guilt that had settled within me. I realized how difficult it is for human perception to grasp the grandeur of God's Plan. I understood more clearly than ever before that all events are determined by Him for our evolution.

On the way to Kyoto, I deeply reflected upon what Sandai-sama had revealed to me and grasped that perceiving, understanding and facing events, even those that seem bad, are in fact God's Will and to be recognized as opportunities for gaining spiritual strength and ultimately wisdom.

Today, I consider that which I learned through the loss of these vital pillars of the Divine Work as the greatest treasure of my life.

For those of us who still maintain a materialistic mindset, a sense of loss prevails. However, life goes on; everything happens for a reason. Nothing occurs by chance. If we think negatively, we will interpret some events as punishment and lose our faith. However, if we choose a positive attitude, there is no doubt that we can find value in each and every occurrence that we experience throughout our evolutionary process.

* * *

I consider myself a privileged person for having several encounters with Rev. Watanabe, whose aura and charisma would fill any atmosphere, and not just in our church facilities. He impressed those around him in restaurants, airplanes, etc.

I will share with you one of these personal encounters I had with him, which relates to an unscheduled stop-over that took place in New York during one of his trips.

One evening early in March of 2007, I received a call from the International Department based in Atami, Japan, saying that because of severe weather conditions, the lay-over that Rev. Watanabe would have in New York while traveling back to Japan from Brazil was extended beyond the originally scheduled four hours.

It was a snowy evening, and he and the other passengers were taken to a hotel somewhere on Long Island, as there were no vacancies for so many people in the city’s hotels.

I was given his hotel room number by his secretary and was advised to call and greet him, and check whether he needed some assistance.

And so I did, greeting him on the phone saying, "Welcome to New York, Sensei. I’m sorry your trip was interrupted because of the severe weather. Can I help you with something?"

He was silent for few seconds, and then requested, "Please call me at 6 o'clock in the morning".

He surely knew how to setup the alarm clock in his room, or to request a wakeup call from the hotel lobby, but he chose instead to give me a mission, one as simple as could be imagined.

I excitedly received his request as a special mission, although some people would see it as just something too frivolous. Yet, I prepared myself accordingly.

I woke up at 5 in the morning to take a shower, dress in a suit, put my tie on, had breakfast and then proceeded to practice my voice, "Good morning, Sensei, 6 o'clock.", "No, not good!", I thought, as my voice was a little rough – too much like someone who had just awakened, I felt I simply could not address someone as special as Rev. Watanabe in a casual or careless way.

I kept practicing, and when the time came, I called him. He thanked me and I expressed my wish that he would have a pleasant and safe journey.

I then rushed to the airport in the hopes that I might have a chance to see him. As I reached the terminal, I waited outside for the buses that would be bringing the passengers. It was really quite cold, and there had been a substantial amount of snow that had fallen the night before.

The buses from the hotel finally arrived, and all passengers got off and were directed to a particular gate. Except Rev. Watanabe was not there. "What happened?", I wondered, perplexed.

I waited for a while to see if additional buses would bring more passengers. In the meanwhile, a car came, driven by a flight attendant from Japan Airlines, bringing Rev. Watanabe.

"You are wondering what happened, right?", he asked. And then continued: "As I prepared myself and went to the hotel lobby, everyone had already gone! I guess I had misunderstood the bus departure time, and after checking the passengers list, a flight attendant noticed that I was missing. And so, she made the special trip to bring me!"

I was very certain that because Rev. Watanabe was such an extraordinary spiritual being, he was supposed to be brought to the airport also in a truly special way!

He said to me, "Well, since you are here, let's have some coffee!" "Yes!", I thought, "All the effort to try to see him at the airport has paid off!"

This would give me an opportunity to make a personal report to him on our expansion efforts to spread Meishu-sama's Light throughout North America. 

Rev. Watanabe mentioned being a little hungry and suggested that he would like to eat something light, like a sandwich. 

After we sat down, I ordered his sandwich, and when the food came, he noticed that in front of me, there was no glass or plate. I had decided not to order anything for myself, since I had already eaten breakfast at home.

“Here, take half of my tuna sandwich,” Reverend Watanabe told me.

It was the tastiest sandwich I had ever eaten in my life, truly, without any exaggeration. A true delicacy from the gods!

And it was just a simple tuna sandwich, from a little shop at the airport. Nothing fancy or special.

Rev. Watanabe was a true master of these small selfless practices. Those who followed him closely knew that this was not something he merely talked about during a service, but rather it was a practice that he himself always engaged in.

He was always attentive and helpful, frequently doing these practices very naturally, with the right pace, grace and elegance.

Pele was considered the king of soccer, because he was the most complete of all. In this sense, of all the ministers I have ever met, I consider Rev. Watanabe to be the Pele amongst all ministers, the most complete.

Every great minister I have known has sometimes had three or four of Rev. Watanabe's finest qualities, but none of all his virtues: spiritual strength, wisdom, friendliness, humor, spirit of giving service, elegance in the way he walked and dressed, and many other beautiful features.

While I was enjoying the exquisite tuna sandwich, he remarked about how fascinating it was that before beginning his missionary visits in April and May of that year, which were supposed to have started in Los Angeles, Meishu-sama had somehow arranged things so that he had to do this stopover in New York first!

Just being next to Rev. Watanabe inspired me with strength to continue my mission, a strength that has continued until today, and I believe, will continue for the years ahead.

* * *

As I previously announced during our last service, we will celebrate Meishu-sama’s Birthday here at our Headquarters on the first Sunday of December, the 3rd, at 11:00 am. 

We have already begun our preparation for this very special service, and we will have specific prayer forms available, both online as well as in a printed format.

Through these prayer forms we have the opportunity to express our gratitude to God and Meishu-sama for all the blessings we have received in 2023, as well as for all the challenges we faced this year. Additionally, we will have the opportunity to list the names of family, friends, coworkers, neighbors and acquaintances whom we would like to inspire and guide towards our Johrei movement and its practices of faith.

Accordingly, start preparing these prayers now by writing notes that later may be included on the special prayer forms that will be accessible in the near future. Also, set aside your special donations of gratitude. I am certain Meishu-sama will be very happy with your participation, whether in-person or online.

Thank you very much, have a safe return to your homes, enjoy the beauty of the Autumn season, and have a joyful and successful month of engagement in our practices of faith!