MESSAGE HQ MARCH 2025
March, 2025
I would like to first express my heartfelt gratitude for your support that you continuously exercise through your dedicated participation in our daily and monthly services, be it in-person or online, as well as your consistent engagement in our practices of faith, centered on the practice of Johrei and the study of Meishu-sama’s Teachings.
I am celebrating today 32 years wedding anniversary. My wedding took place at the Atami Sacred Grounds Hall of Worship. The reception that followed was attended by so many wonderful ministers, such as Rev. Watanabe and Rev. Kobayashi. One minister in particular, Rev. Masaru Hasegawa, happened to engage in missionary work in the United States in the
early 80’s, and knew Miho’s father, who was also a minister.
In his congratulatory words, Rev. Hasegawa expressed his heartfelt hopes that Miho would actively engage in the column of salvation of Art and Beauty, providing joy and entertainment to those living in North America.
His powerful words came through, as many of you know, since Miho’s artistic talents are shared with us, not just through Sangetsu Flower Arranging, but through healthy meals, calligraphy, basket weaving, origami, and etc., etc. and etc.
She and Rev. Terry, with the support of our coordinating team, are organizing a magnificent event that will take place in the second week of May. To be more specific, this art exhibition will happen from Friday evening, May 9th, extending to May 10th and 11th.
Please make your plans to attend this event. If you have your own artistic talents, please talk to Rev. Terry and Miho on how you could contribute to the event by sharing with us your artistic skills.
With this exhibition we aim to attract many people that haven’t met Meishu-sama yet. It is a great opportunity to bring people to the Center, and of course, seek opportunities to channel Johrei to them.
Today I would like to share a message that Rev. Marco Resende delivered at the Guarapiranga Sacred Grounds last year.
Following world news, we get the impression that the first three months of each year tend to be a time of intense purification: increased suffering from diseases, conflicts, torrential rains, floods, accidents, earthquakes, fires, losses, and financial setbacks, all of which generate social unrest.
From a material perspective, the causes of these occurrences are diverse. However, from a Messianic and spiritualist perspective, we know that all suffering originates from spiritual clouds—that is, the impurities generated by human thoughts, words, and actions.
According to the Teachings of Meishu-sama, tragedies are consequences of the process of dissolving and eliminating accumulated clouds in the Spiritual World.
I don't know about you, but I have the impression that these cleansing processes are becoming more intense each year, confirming what Meishu-sama teaches us. With the arrival of the Daylight Age and the intensification of God’s Light, the force of purification becomes stronger.
Despite the pain and sorrow they bring, these purifications are happening gradually. Imagine if they all came at once... Humanity would certainly not be able to endure it. Even in this aspect, we can perceive God’s profound love for His Creation.
By allowing us to purify little by little, God grants us the opportunity to awaken to our mistakes and strive to correct them, seeking to align with His Will. Fortunately or unfortunately, it is in moments of great suffering or significant challenges that we recognize human limitations and decide to seek God’s help.
We must decisively understand that this process of cleansing and purifying impurities is happening because God wishes to build Paradise on Earth—a world free from the suffering of disease, poverty, and conflict. Aware of this truth, what attitude does Meishu-sama expect from us, his disciples?
In the Teaching "Elimination of Tragedy", which we just heard, Meishu-sama makes clear the importance of the immeasurable power of God, manifested through Johrei. He stated:
“[...] The invisible power that moves the visible is the essence of faith. [...]
[...] the purifying act employed by our Church—Johrei—projects Spiritual Light directly onto the soul, awakening it instantly. That is, it transforms the person without human intervention, leaving sermons in the background.
[...] those who join our religion [...] not only do not need to worry about their own tragedies but also become qualified to eliminate the tragedies of others.”
Hearing this Teaching, I imagine… What was going through Meishu-sama’s mind when he was writing the Ohikari (Sacred Focal Point)? I believe he was preparing the Ohikari to enable people to be useful to God in saving others and building Paradise on Earth.
I believe he had a very clear image in his mind of people receiving the Ohikari and extending the hand of Johrei to save thousands of people.
I believe it was this certainty—that all members would channel Divine Light to build Paradise on Earth—that motivated Meishu-sama to write so many Ohikari. If we think about it, this was not an easy task.
Even from a physical standpoint, it was an activity that demanded a lot from his body. Every other day, Meishu-sama would write about 600 Ohikari in one hour. That’s ten per minute! He worked with incredible speed and precision, imprinting the Divine Light with his deep desire to save humanity.
Meishu-sama’s wish was for the Ohikari to be granted to as many people as possible. His Sonen, his desire to form new Johrei members was infinite, as he was convinced that by increasing the number of Johrei channels and practitioners of the Divine Writings, the power of salvation and transformation in this world would intensify.
If we allow this feeling of Meishu-sama to resonate in our hearts, we will understand that each Ohikari granted holds immeasurable importance within the Divine Plan.
Let’s reflect together. Through a single Ohikari, how many people can be saved, freed from anguish and suffering?
By channeling Divine Light through Johrei, a Messianic member becomes capable of eliminating not only their own difficulties, suffering, and tragedies but also helping to save others. Truly, the salvation of humanity is a grand endeavor, but it begins with our decision to extend salvation to the people around us.
I would like to ask you all: Is receiving the Light of God important? Was it good to encounter Meishu-sama? To know Johrei and the Teachings? Is practicing the Messianic faith also good? If all of this is good for us, wouldn’t it also be good for others? Would encountering Meishu-sama make a difference in their lives? Do you believe that a person becomes happier when they receive the Ohikari and are able to channel Divine Light to their family, friends, and others?
Since we all agree that encountering Meishu-sama, learning about Johrei, the Teachings, and the Messianic practices is something good, I ask you: In the face of the problems and tragedies afflicting the world and its people, what do we, as Messianic members, need to do?
We need to introduce people to Meishu-sama. We need to channel Johrei to them, guide them to our Church, grant them the Ohikari, and support them in practicing their faith, working to reduce the suffering in this world.
Can you imagine how much this wonderful force of salvation would grow if we doubled the number of people who channel Johrei?
I believe that, inspired by Meishu-sama’s spirit of saving this world, doubling the number of people who channel Johrei as soon as possible is the task and commitment we must take on as Johrei members.
But how are we going to double the number of Johrei practitioners? If I am a Johrei member and I guide one more member, how many members will there be? Two, right? What was one is now two. It doubled, didn’t it?
I believe that if we truly desire to receive Johrei from someone and see them happy, dedicating themselves and channeling Johrei to others, we will surely awaken in them the desire to receive the Ohikari and be useful in the Divine Work.
Do you have someone from whom you would love to receive Johrei but who does not yet have the Ohikari?
Have you told this person how much you want to receive Johrei with them? How important it is to you?
Then let’s not waste any time. Express clearly how much you want to receive Johrei with them. If we sincerely desire to see them channeling Johrei and, without attachment, think about this daily, I am sure that the right words will flow from our hearts and souls, and our feelings will reach them. The important thing is not to overcomplicate it. Just speak up.
So, shall we commit to doubling the number of Johrei channels in our families and lives?
I am sure that everyone will be able to double the number of Johrei channels because the decision you made here is already recorded in the Spiritual World. Everything is prepared, waiting only for your action.
Always remember: What moves people is our sincere desire for their happiness. So, from the depths of your hearts, wish for those close to you to receive the Ohikari, practice Johrei, and become happy.
NEW ENGLAND EXPANSION
Part 1: Mid 90’s to mid 2000’s
In the State of Connecticut, we have held throughout the years, several Johrei gatherings in members' homes, as well as commercial spaces.
Dance with Susan - Located in Fairfield, through the Johrei gatherings in this dance studio, five people became members. Two Japanese sisters received the Ohikari and told their relatives in Japan about it.
They had a nephew suffering with a severe case of atopic dermatitis, and by receiving plenty of Johrei, the boy recovered his health. Several of his relatives became members due to this miracle. One even became a Johrei minister after moving back to Japan!
In the town of Westport, Johrei gatherings were held in an organic restaurant. At one point thirty people joined us to receive the Divine Light.
In that town, which faces the Long Island Sound, we sponsored Johrei events in an esoteric bookstore, and in a natural foods store called Fountain of Youth.
One missionary there at that time, received the Divine Scroll and Meishu-sama's picture, becoming the first Home Altar in Connecticut.
Eventually, in a brand of organic supermarkets called Wild Oats, now absorbed by the Whole Foods group, in Westport as well, where some of our Johrei members used to shop, their management offered a space for community's activities.
We talked to the events manager and arranged to have few hours of Johrei available on a regular basis, plus a workshop on Sangetsu flower arranging.
Through the Sangetsu workshop, thirty-five people participated. Members and nonmembers that lived far away from the New York center, strongly felt the benefit of our event.
But the fun part was “recruiting” the supermarket shoppers. As they pushed their shopping carts into the store, they could see our open space near the entrance, with people sitting and facing each other.
As we invited them for the flowers workshop, some asked: "What are those people doing with their hands raised toward others?"
We explained what Johrei was, and some received it for the first time! An elderly lady I gave Johrei to, enjoyed receiving it. She was on her second Johrei when her daughter came agitated: "Mom, here you are! I was looking for you all over this place!". "I'm receiving Light, ok? It is wonderful, and you should receive it too! You will become more patient by it!", said the old lady.
A couple of year later, in Fairfield, another member also had the Divine Scroll and Meishu-sama's picture dedicated, making her residence another home of Light! She and her husband eventually moved to North Carolina.
That Wild Oats supermarket in Westport changed hands, and not being able to resume the Johrei gatherings there, we concentrated our expansion efforts in the members’ homes. Home gatherings were held in Greenwich, Redding, Westport, Southport and Weston.
With our regular presence in New England through homes of Light, we continue paying and acting upon that in the near future, a Johrei center will be established there as well.
Updates: through the efforts of Delva, David, and Andrew in New Haven, as of February 2025 another Ohikari Sacred Focal Point was presented there by Rev. Romilson Candido! It is the fifth Ohikari presented in the last two years through their love and commitment.
Delva, David, Ana Marie and her sister Julie joined us last year for the pilgrimage to the Sacred Grounds in Japan. They all have many positive impressions to share about the wonderful days they spent in Japan, dedicating themselves, experiencing cleansing purification, and being bathed in the Light of those sacred places.
You can all experience these incredible sensations by joining our next pilgrimage to Japan this fall, which will be led by Rev. Romilson Candido and assisted by Rev. Guilherme de Souza and Rev. Terry Sato. Please talk to your center head for more details and hurry up, as we need to estimate the number of participants in order to make the necessary reservations for lodging
and restaurants.
To conclude my message today, I would like to share a passage during my training days in Brazil. On my efforts to grow in self-confidence plus introducing people to Meishu-sama, every Saturday during my training period it was the day of going door to door according to our schedule.
My superiors wish for us trainees were that we could accomplish both, but self-confidence had an extra value in the activity.
My first day was probably the most difficult. In the neighborhood of Santa Cecilia, in Sao Paulo, there were more apartment buildings than houses. I wandered around for three hours with no courage to knock on a single place. I sat on a park bench and starred at the sky, begging for Meishu-sama’s help to give me strength.
I began to think that the other trainees would share wonderful stories. Then, I could not possibly return to the headquarters with no effort made, no story to share. As the time to return to the headquarters was nearing, I gathered whatever strength and
courage and resume my walking in search of a place that would receive my visit. I finally found a home that opened the door for me! The owner received Johrei and even bought a book on faith experiences I offered to him! When was the time to report our stories, I also realized that the majority of the trainees shared the same difficulty I had.
That single result I was able to achieve made me more confident for the subsequent door to door visits. In one of them, I read a sign on a large building which said: "Young Women's Lodging".
I rang the doorbell, hoping they wouldn't take me wrong on trying to enter those premises. A woman in her twenties answered the door, and I explained the motives for my visit. "Look, technically we are not allowed to let any man into these premises. However, there is a lady here who us bedridden, and could benefit from your prayers".
I was led to this lady’s room, while being watched closely by the eyes of the other residents there. I gave the lady a long Johrei, told her that the Johrei center was close by, and returned to the headquarters.
There, I listened to the other trainees’ report. When it was my turn to share how my day was, I mentioned I was able to channel Johrei to someone at a place called “Young Women’s Lodging”.
My minister asked, quite interested: "How old was the young woman?". "Sixty-three", I said. "Oh, very young indeed!", the minister replied laughing, with everyone else too exploding in laughter.
I was so excited that I entered another place to channel Johrei, that I didn’t even correlate the name of the place and that lady's age!
What was supposed to be one year of this activity became just six months, as all trainees were no longer experiencing difficulties. When our superiors realized that we began to actually have fun in going door-to-door, they decided to schedule more classes for our training instead.
In the course of those six-months, I was able to channel Johrei to more than a 100 people for the first time. I still have the records of those visits – their names and addresses – and these records represent a kind of treasure for me.
I don’t expect that you would do the same. Laws have also changed, and depending on where you live, going door-to-door may not even be possible. Yet, getting inspiration from Rev. Marco Resende’s message, let us seek opportunities to
channel Johrei to our family members, co-workers, neighbors and acquaintances, while having the Sonen of receiving Johrei from them, expressing clear words about our wishes that they too become participants in the construction of Paradise on Earth by receiving the Ohikari Sacred Focal Point.
With our hearts centered and aligned with Meishu-sama’s wishes, I pray that you are able to inspire those around you, that you have a safe return to your homes, and experience a joyful and successful month of engagement in our practices of faith!