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     Not to be forgotten is the principle that the basis of faith lies in the word “rational.” No matter how plausibly a doctrine of faith may be propounded, if the faith is not reasonable, it cannot be called a true faith. This means that when a faith makes no sense, there are no blessings no matter how much prayer and worship is conducted. When a faith stands to reason, when a faith makes sense, there will be blessings from God. This point is the most essential. No other significance is there to the recurrence of purification.
     Tubercular patients who have undergone all varieties of therapies including medical treatment joyfully join World Messianity when they are immediately healed through Johrei. And, a while after joining the church quite a few start to experience a recurrence of purification. Recurrence of purification occurs because their faith is not coherent, it is does not stand to reason. Those who were abandoned by medical science and have been saved from sickness or disease by God and have been given life, in spite of the fact that they are thankful, can really never repay their debt. In the course of their everyday lives they forget the appreciation they experienced at that time and so feel that their situation has been settled. Even if their condition is not the same as before they started to live a life of faith, they come to have an attitude in which they cannot express appreciation. If nothing happens, that is all fine and good, but matters do not go that way. That is because since medicinal poisons have been thoroughly ingested into the body for such a long time, the process of eliminating the accumulated toxins begins as health is regained. This is the recurrence of purification. However, as I always say, what I describe above is the physical aspect, but there is an even more important problem with the spiritual aspect. I have not discussed the spiritual aspect until now, but the time has come when such an ignorance will not be permitted, so I write about the fundamentals of this issue.
     The reason I have not discussed this issue so far was due to the danger that such teaching could invite misinterpretation from non-members and new members, and thus I tried as much as possible not to mention it. However, purification has become more severe, and the number of those who experience a recurrence of purification is increasing, so here I will clarify this issue. All in this world has been fashioned to follow the principle of affinity and make sense, that is, stand to reason. Shakyamuni’s declaration of life being subject to decay and of meeting only to part sums up succinctly the principle of affinity. The principles of the law of cause and effect and casual retribution have no other meaning.
     As can be understood from what I have described above, it is only natural that those afflicted with intractable diseases, who had despaired, who had prepared for death, and who have recovered completely should want to repay their debt to God. In spite of the fact that this is the rational thing to do, if repaying the debt is forgotten, it is turning one’s back on the blessing from God, a conspicuous instance of ingratitude. To explain in simpler terms, suppose the value of life is ten, if the amount of appreciation is ten, then the balance is even; if the appreciation is more than ten, there is a surplus, and God bestows blessings many fold. But conversely, if the amount of appreciation is five, there is a deficit of five, so there is a debt to God. If this debt is repaid quickly, there is no problem, but when repayment is delayed, interest accrues. At this stage, the situation is no different from that in the physical world, and the law of affinity also applies. When the accrued debt passes a certain level, payment and foreclosure is demanded by divine law. This is what the recurrence of purification is. If what is happening is perceived; apology, made from the heart; and the total interest, paid, recovery is only natural. But there are those who make outrageous misinterpretations. They think that their being healed by faith was only temporary, and they go astray starting to think that they were not really healed. Friends, colleagues, or family members tell them in effect, “See! Didn’t I tell you!” and repeatedly urge them to seek medical treatment. Finally the subjects themselves come to that same conclusion and go to consult a doctor, but having done so, the situation is hopeless. What always happens is that ten persons in ten will follow a path of deterioration and at the end, pass on to the other world. This occurs because from the spiritual world, evil forces look for small cracks in the human heart, and if there is even a slight opportunity, will possess the individuals, confusing and disordering their minds. Every precaution must be taken to guard against such happening.
     When appreciation is expressed with sincerity, whether through money or whatever, the amount does not matter. It is satisfactory if that appreciation is the greatest within one’s means. God knows everything, so what can be done without straining is permissible. Even better if you can save even one person and help the individual become a member. The essential point is performance. When all these conditions are met, the situation is logical, it is in accord with reason, and purification will not recur. Even if purification should recur, it will be lighter, and there will be no chance of a loss of life.
     On another point, some people are told that they will be saved if they donate a certain amount of money, that appreciation should first be expressed before they receive a blessing. Such acts are forms of deception and fraud, so there is no possibility of benefit because the person who says such things is in error. In World Messianity appreciation is expressed appropriately within one’s means after receiving the benefit. In spite of this being the most reasonable, if expressing appreciation should be neglected, the human being is entirely wrong and should perceive the mistake. When perception does not occur, it is only natural that life could be taken. Unreasonableness is never permitted. What is most essential is that God has given life in order that one may work for the divine program, so if this is perceived, recognized, and acted upon, health will gradually improve and one is blessed with good fortune, but if this deed is betrayed, it is the same as denying your own salvation.

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“Shinkō no Gōrisei to Saijōka,” originally published on the front page of Eikō, Issue 210, May 27, 1953, and reprinted while Meishu-sama still alive in the essays anthology for ministers Goshinsho: Shūkyō-hen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), page 24, March 25, 1954, has appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“The Divine Law and Purification,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Two, 1968, page 55.

“The Divine Law and the Recurrence of Purification,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 414 (Reprint of “The Divine Law and Purification,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Two, 1968).

“The Divine Law and Purification,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Two, 1968/2004, page 85.

“The Rationality and Repurification of Faith,” A Hundred Teachings of Meishusama, no date, page 179.