E26046

I could not attend the lecture on World Messianity held last February 10 at the Kyoritsu Lecture Hall in Kanda, Tokyo, so I wrote an address to be read on my behalf. I run that address here for those unable to attend and listen to it.

* 　　　　　　 * 　　　　　　*

Today I was supposed to be here with you all, but as unavoidable circumstances have made that impossible, I am having my deputy read what I have written, so please listen to it as such. I have written this primarily for those who have not joined our faith rather than for believers.
     As you all know, the Church of World Messianity was newly inaugurated last year on this very day. I believe you also know that previously it had been called the Japan Kannon Church. In the last couple of years, though, as most are well aware, in the newspapers, magazines, radio, and so forth, our name has suddenly become associated with this and that. But what is truly regrettable is that although it is good that we have made rapid progress in a short time, it has been such an unbelievable expansion that it is truly staggering. We have been seen as bad rather than good, held up as lead rather than gold, and called minus rather than plus, but eventually the time will come when the truth is known and understood. In the meantime, however, the salvation of those in society who can be saved will be delayed which is inexcusable to God. Aside from the distribution of published materials that we have so far undertaken, I believe the need for advertising through the ear will also be necessary. To begin this new program, the meeting here today is the first.
     Proceeding to the main topic, what do we see when we observe the world today? Humanity suffers from the three major calamities of disease, poverty, conflict. Just to look at Japan, there is tuberculosis, there are various infectious diseases, or other kinds of disorders. There are situations where hospitals are packed and have no extra beds. Even though contemporary people may appear healthy, there is probably not even one person without some sort of condition. And then, in addition to disease, the suffering from taxes, tight money, high prices, and not being able to maintain an even keel no matter how much money is earned gives rise to the question of why human beings were born. Such suffering could be called the very essence of being human. Next is the calamity that is conflict, and leaving aside any domestic problems Japan may have, when we observe the world today, it is in a perilous conflict with all in fear and trembling and it seems that an unprecedented world war is about to begin. As God looks upon this horrible scene, it would seem that this tragic situation deserves help. If it were not so, the only conclusion to be had is that there is no God to which there are probably no words for reply. However, God does exist. God certainly exists. In order to save all of humanity, World Messianity was born.
     In this sense, the issue is not whether God exists. As one becomes a believer of World Messianity, one understands God as if touchable. If such did not happen, we would be committing a great crime in deceiving society. I would have nothing to do with such a swindle. I do not want to become a foolish human being who strangles his own neck. But more than anything else, if World Messianity is not real and true, there is no reason it should have grown to the extent that it has in a few short years. What I want to say here is that any religion, in its beginning stages is misunderstood by society, is labeled superstitious and evil, and suffers from persecution and legal difficulties. The largest religion in the world today is probably Christianity. During his lifetime, Christ was considered the pinnacle of superstition and evil, and ended up executed on the cross, so there should be no need to say anything further on this matter, but after his death, just eleven of his remaining disciples spread his teachings to the point we see today. Christianity was never a superstitious and evil religion.
     To continue, I would like to explain my aspirations. Wielding the great power bestowed upon me by God, with invisible spirit, absent any kind of material substance, and through my followers I am healing every kind of disease. Of course, with the use of these methods, poverty is also resolved. That is because the cause of poverty is predominantly disease. Conflict as well can be eliminated. By saying such, you all may be flabbergasted by my boastful words. But when one joins World Messianity and can see the actual situation, belief is not avoidable. All members of World Messianity firmly believe that these solutions are possible. When individuals first join World Messianity, without exception, all have their doubts, but to tell the truth, World Messianity is not a religion. The ideograms for writing the word “religion” in Japanese mean, “the founder’s teachings,” and it is through the teachings that individuals are saved. World Messianity is not merely teachings: World Messianity actually undertakes tasks for salvation. Founders and countless saints since antiquity have foretold this project. Prophecies such as Christ’s declaration of “the approach of heaven,” Shakyamuni’s world of Maitreya, Saint Nichiren’s world of just agriculture, and the Foundress of Tenrikyo’s world of the tower of nectar are all such. To avoid becoming lengthier, I close here.

“Watakushi no Hōfu,” first published on the front page of Eikō, Issue 94, March 7, 1951, was never anthologized while Meishu-sama was alive, nor, as far as is known, has it appeared in translation.