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     The Japan Kannon Church strives for the creation and spread of a religious culture to parallel the progress of material culture in order to achieve the goal of the emergence of paradise on earth.
     I have already detailed in the previous chapter, “Paradise on Earth,” the fact that paradise on earth means a world free of disease, poverty, and conflict, the ultimate ideal of humanity. The teaching by Shakyamuni of the world of five-six-seven, Christ’s prophecy of the approach of heaven, Nichiren’s call for the world of just agriculture, Tenrikyo’s ideal of all the world under the nectar platform, and what we call paradise on earth all have the same meaning. The only difference among these is the timing. The saints and founders mentioned above had not been informed of the timing. I have become aware that the timing of this prophecy is rapidly approaching. What this means is that we can be sure about the destruction of Buddhist law taught by Shakyamuni and the teachings of Christ concerning the end of the world. We can be sure that the time of the last judgment is pressing. With the advent of paradise on earth, humanity will achieve true happiness, but as regards the construction of a new, ideal world, first the accounts of the old world must be settled. As in the construction of a new house in the traditional Japanese style, the old house must first be dismantled and the grounds, cleared and cleansed. There will be much which can be of use for the construction from the old house that will remain. The selection of what is useless and what will be of use is of course for God to decide. In order for individuals to remain after the last judgment, they must become human beings who will be useful in the new world. Becoming a useful individual will allow easy maneuvering through the period of transition. One passes a divine test. The only way to become a useful individual is faith which I will now explain.
     To qualify for passing through the period of the great global transition described above is to be a human being who lives in a world where disease, poverty, and conflict do not exist, to be a healthy individual, to be a human being who has conquered poverty and suffering, and to be a human being who prefers peace and dislikes conflict. There is no need for God to do away with those who have gained these three qualifications, and indeed, it is individuals with such qualifications who will be considered fit for the coming new world. I do believe that there is no distinction between God’s intent and the human ideal. The way to gain the three great qualifications described above is what, channeling the blessings of God, the Japan Kannon Church teaches.

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“Kannon Kyōdan to wa Nan zo ya,” which first appeared as the nineteenth chapter of Shinkō Zatsuwa (Essays on Faith), September 5, 1948, was never anthologized while Meishu-sama was alive but has appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“Construction of an Ideal World,” The Glory, Number 18, November 10, 1957.

“Construction of an Ideal World,” Teachings of Meishu and Kyoshu, no date [1959?], page 37.

“What Is World Messianity?” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 3.

“Shinji Shumeikai,” A Hundred Teachings of Meishusama, no date, page 8.