Great Construction
In Praise of Sickness
These days, the phrase “fight against a disease” is used as a way to describe how to cope with sickness, but from our perspective, there is no concept so mistaken. Although we do say that this erroneous concept arises because the fundamental cause of disease is not understood, we would rather prefer to say something closer to “love the disease.” In other words, we would do so because it is right to think that sickness is something to love, something to be thankful for, something to appreciate. In materialistically-based medical science, however, to catch a disease is thought of in a bad way, and concern is held as if a demon had entered the human body. The phrase “sickness demon” is often used as well as the expression “fight against a disease,” and since these phrases make it seem as if an enemy had invaded and was engaging in a great conflict with the physical body, it is indeed comical.
We believe, however, that toxins are continually accumulating in the human body, and when the amount of these toxins surpasses a certain level, functions and activities of the body will be harmed, so a natural process is generated to eliminate these toxins that cleanses only to a degree which does not impair human activity. Through this process or function, the body becomes healthy, but some pain and discomfort accompanies the process of toxin elimination, and it is this pain and discomfort that have been named “sickness” and “disease.” However, there is nothing as beneficial as sickness or disease. You can understand how God has created human beings so that they are able to maintain their health.
The best proof of this is to look at the various sorts of dirty, impure matter that is eliminated such as phlegm, mucous, night sweats, diarrhea, nausea, pain, and itching. So, at times when such symptoms are experienced, if one can be thankful for the process and bear the pain, the suffering will pass relatively easily, the physical body will be that much more cleansed, and health will gradually improve. As the above account shows, since there is nothing as beneficial to human beings as this process, people ought to be happy and congratulate themselves when they come down with something. Therefore, we ourselves say, bring on the cold, tuberculosis, infectious disease, or whatever, and welcome it. Perhaps because we think that way or for one reason or another, it is ironical that we do not get many visitors named disease, so we feel neglected or lonely, but this is a happy loneliness for which we are most thankful. This is the situation so the general public probably has no idea of the degree of well-being we have obtained. Therefore, to share with as many people as possible about that for which we are thankful is most likely the common view among the many tens of thousands of World Messianity’s followers.
What is the perception of disease, though, from the point of view of the general public? Society is persistently plagued by annoying reminders to be careful to not catch colds, fear tuberculosis, wonder what will happen if individuals come down with an infectious disease, be sure to gargle after returning home, always wash the hands, wear a mask at all times, and many other bothersome pieces of advice. The government is just as bad, uselessly spending so many millions each year in boisterous campaigns. Doctors are naturally just as obnoxious, all year long pulling long faces as they remain glued to their microscopes. We do not simply pity these people, we believe it to be silliness not worthy of consideration. Thus, the difference between our views and those of the general public is as day to night, the description for which no words can be found.
The conclusion to be drawn from what has been explained above is that if the true essence of World Messianity became generally known, one after another individuals would seek to join. There should be no mistake than it can be guaranteed that there will be a time when the whole population of Japan becomes followers of World Messianity. When that happens, World Messianity’s motto of a world free from disease, poverty, conflict will most likely become a reality for Japan which will be seen by people of the whole world who will then realize how tremendous World Messianity is and want to join, so this, needless to say, will become the start of paradise on earth. Looking forward to that time, we steadfastly continue our task, leaving matters in God’s hands.
Eikô, Issue 112, July 11, 1951
translated by cynndd
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“Byōki Reisan no Ben” was one of two of Meishu-sama’s essays that was published on side A1, the front page of Eikō, Issue 112 on July 11, 1951. Although no translations are known to exist, this essay was reprinted in the anthology Igaku Kankei Goronbun Shū (Collected Essays on Medical Science) that did enjoy a limited circulation. This book contains no publication data, but internal evidence suggests that its editing stopped several months preceding Meishu-sama’s death. Furthermore, since the book contains no publication data, whether the volume had Meishu-sama’s imprimatur or not is unknown, so details concerning this volume are probably impossible to research.