ANCESTORS BEHIND PURIFICATION

Message by Rev. Tetsuo Watanabe, President of SKK

Grand Annual Ancestral Service, July 1 & 2, 2007,
Hall of Worship, Atami, Japan
Good morning and welcome to the Grand Annual Ancestral Service. We have just
completed our Julys monthly service and the Grand Annual Ancestral Service with our gratitude
that we are receiving wonderful blessings through the practice of Sonen Jissenpractice of ones
faith through daily prayer and meditation. I also offered my promise that we are committed to the
Great Work of the Divine Light Program with our ancestors supporting us.
Now that summer vacation is around the corner and many beaches are open from today, I
hope everyone is having a great break and enjoying the summer.
[July 1] We have just heard the wonderful faith experience from Mrs. Sachiko Matsuda from
Ikoma Johrei Center in Hokuriku Kansai District (near Osaka and Nara). Thank you for sharing
your experience, Mrs. Matsuda.
[July 2] We have just heard the inspiring testimonial of faith from Mrs. Yoko Tanaka, Taisho
Johrei Center in Hokuriku Kansai District. Thank you for sharing your experience, Mrs. Tanaka.
I would also like to introduce you to those from overseas who are attending the Service.
[July 1] There are seven from the United States, and ninety-one from Brazil for a total of ninetyeight from two countries.
[July 2] Yesterday, we received 98 people, but today, three from the US, and one from Portugal.
Please welcome them with a big applause. Thank you.
[July 1] I would now like to introduce you to a member of the House of Counselors (Sangi-in)
Mr.Tsurunen Marti, a member of Johrei, who is dedicating himself by spreading Meishu-samas
Teachings in the political arena, and Mrs. Hisako Oishi, a former member of the House of
Representatives. Please welcome all of you.
About the US visit
The people who came from the United States might know already, but I visited the US
from April 20th to May 3rd. It was an official visit that took many years to return after my
previous visit to the US. I visited Los Angeles, New York, and Miami, and attended the seminars
for members and lay leaders. I also attended the Annual Memorial Service at the Headquarters.
After my talk today, there will be a video clip shown to introduce the activities of North
America. There will be testimonials of Sonen Jissen practice and the seminars held in the above
three cities in the U.S. You might enjoy it as you can sense a new direction of Johrei Expansion
in North America.
I would like to acknowledge the Japanese members here on behalf of ministers and
dedicated members in North America for your earnest effort and commitment in assisting in the
improvement and beautification of the Kyoto Sacred Grounds. I say this because I strongly
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believe that you helped create the positive expansion in America by helping in the beautification
in Kyoto.
A song, Do Not Stand at My Grave
By the way, we are still in the rainy season, but look at this heat! We need a nice breeze
in this Hall! But the word breeze reminds me of a song entitled, A Thousand Winds. Have
you heard of it? The original English title is Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep.
Kyoshu-sama asked me if I knew this song, so I said, Yes, Ive heard of it on TV at the
end of last year, but I do not know exactly how it goes. He said, I like the lyrics. Kyoshusama lent me the CD, and I listened to it repeatedly. I was really touched by the words. It is
beautiful, isnt it?
Let me share with you an early version, printed on a postcard:
Do not stand on my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the mornings hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.
Sandai-sama, the third spiritual leader, also likes this song.
The late Rev. Yoshioka, the former president of MOA Museum of Art, recently had his
one year memorial service held. Sandai-sama wrote a Haiku poem specifically for his service:
In this cockscrow,
A thousand winds blow,
And gentle rain flow.
That morning, it rained slightly with a bit of wind. I felt the presence of Rev. Yoshioka
coming there to show his gratitude for the service.
That song, Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep, became famous last year in Japan
after it was broadcasted at the famous New Years end TV music show. I have been told it has
sold over a million copies.
There is some ambiguity as to the author of the poem. It was considered to be written by
Mary Frye, an American woman. According to the most generally accepted theory that Mary
Frye wrote the poem, it was originally written for a German Jewish girl, a friend of the author.
The girl escaped from the Nazis, but her mother had died back in her homeland. She was not
able to pay her respects to her mother in front of her grave, so Mary wrote the poem as part of her
condolences.
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You might better understand after you have heard the background story of this song,
specifically what is meant by Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there. I do not
sleep.
You might wonder, then where the spirit is if it is not there at the grave, but her later
version quotes:
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
If you hear the verse saying, I am in each lovely thing, it could mean I am in you.
This part of the song heals the listeners heart and sorrow over the persons death as it reminds
them of the spirit which exists in their heart and memories forever.
I think the fact that this song became a hit is a good sign that Meishu-samas Divine Work
will be manifested in the near future. I can say this because many people listening to this song
can easily accept the concept of ancestors existing within us. All we have to do is to practice
Sonen Jissen as a responsible act of kindness for our ancestors happiness, and show others the
blessings and miracles that will manifest. We will see the wondrous result of helping others.
How can we perceive our ancestors wish?
Kyoshu-sama often teaches us that we should have a firm belief that our ancestors exist
within us. He also talks about the importance of having a constant prayer that Meishu-samas
desires will be manifested, and for us to be used as an instrument of God and Meishu-sama
together with our ancestors, parents and others.
At this time, lets renew our minds and hearts today, and study his guidance carefully. I
would like to mention one testimonial as part of the study.
The person in the testimonial lived together with her mother at her home in the beginning
of her marriage. Later, however, because of her husbands work, she and her husband had to live
separately from her mother. Her husband, by the way, changed his surname to hers because no
male successors were in the family line. As the years passed, and her mother had to face some
age-related difficulties, she started to feel that she would like to reside with her mother again.
Coincidently, her husband offered to have her move in as well to help with her care. They soon
moved her in and started to live together.
In the beginning, everything went smoothly, but later, problems began to occur. Her
husband became continuously upset with her, and he often isolated himself in his room. She, in
turn, also became upset at her husbands attitude especially when she was exhausted from the
care of her mother. She finally reached a point where she was not able to control her emotions
her complaints and unsettling internal upsets.
It was during this turmoil, she attended a monthly service at her Johrei Center. Her
minister told her about the practice of Sonen of Gratitude. He also reminded her that she try to
express her daily gratitude by doing something concrete and positive.
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She told the minister that she once made a donation for her mother, and the minister asked
her a question, Under whose name did you make it? Under my name, she replied. Why did
you not do it under your husbands name? he asked.
Not understanding what he meant, she said, She is my mother, and it was my money that
I spent freely. The minister said, Your mother is not just your mother. She is your husbands
mother as well, and you are married to him. Your income is basically dependent on your
husbands work; your attitude regarding money is different from what it is supposed to be. I
suggest that you give an apology to your husband after going home today.
Listening to the ministers guidance, she realized an important point. Although she was
practicing Sonen Jissen, her attitude through her Sonen was that of wanting to change her
husband. This was not in accord with her ancestors desires. Instead, her ancestors wanted her to
know that she had been lacking in respect and gratitude toward her husband.
Spiritually speaking, her husband became an important part of her family line after
marriage. If she made light of him, it meant that she also made light of her ancestors as well.
Her ancestors were giving her a message to correct this mistake. After this occurred, she was
deeply aware from her heart that she owes her life to her husband, parents and ancestors.
As soon as her attitude changed, her husband also unexpectedly changed. He e-mailed
her during his business trip saying that he had bought her mother a gift. He also shared his
experience with people in the Johrei group saying that living with his mother in-law made him
see and feel things he was not aware of before. The wife reflected upon herself as well, and
realized that their relationship did not have good communication. She took responsibility for her
part in trying to improve their relationship.
In the morning, she told her husband what she felt, and she said, I would like to make a
reasonable donation as a token of gratitude for what I had experienced, but how much do you
think I should give? Please decide on the amount. He quickly replied in agreement, and
surprisingly, the amount he wanted to offer was the same as what she was thinking.
Her final comment was, I am so pleased that we are finally allowed to feel oneness as a
couple. My mother used to crawl on the floor because of her condition, but now she can walk
with his assistance. When I see this, this is definitely a reflection of our ancestors being happy. I
am so grateful, and I owe everything to Meishu-sama.
What do you think about this story, everyone?
The important part of this testimonial is that Meishu-samas work and her ancestors
strong support were vital in this success. She started to practice Sonen Jissen, but her attitude
initially was that of trying to change her husband. She realized her mistake that she was not
interpreting the message of her ancestors correctly. This change occurred not because she made
this realization, but that her ancestors made her realize it through circumstances. As Kyoshusama indicated, I also can clearly see, behind this story, the Love of God who embraces each one
of us as human beings as well as our ancestors with His Grace and Care.
Let me point out another important point here. For those who change their last name to
their wifes or husbands name, or who have both names, it is important to know that it did not
just happen by coincidence, nor did it occur because you decided it on your own. It happened
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because of the connection we have from previous lives, and those ancestors we have had a
previous affinity to.
You tend to think that the ancestors who are related to your immediate family you are
born into are the only ancestors you are connected to, and you may hardly consider that your
spouses family lines are also your own ancestors. But this is a mistake as you might be ignoring
your important ancestors who exist without you knowing it.
You will understand this more clearly by thinking about our children. For example, your
children have both your ancestors and your spouses ancestors in direct lineage as one family.
You are also present in your child; therefore, your spouses ancestors are connected to you
through your child. And, they also become yours as well.
For those who do not have any children, you can think of this process like this. We are all
connected to any people who may come in contact with you, and they are your ancestors and
offspring as well.
If you can accept this truth, the spiritual vibration of your family will dramatically change.
You can easily find a solution for relationship difficulties by understanding your spiritual ties you
have with spouses, relatives, friends, etc. or any other relationships/people you may encounter in
your life.
Be grateful for problems
At this time, I would like to ask you a question. What is happiness?
Maybe you think that happiness means being perfect and having no life strugglesno
worries and no problems. If you think this way, you are mistaken as I believe there is no one
person in the world who does not struggle with some issue, problem or worry.
Even if a person looks happy on the outside, everyone has at least one or two concerns,
worries or difficulties. This is a reality. Even amongst you in the congregation, there must be
some of you who are facing very serious purifications that you cannot possibly solve in this
lifetime, and who are desperately trying to cope.
Maybe you wonder why God, who is the source of limitless love, gives such sufferings to
humanity. When I was young, I pondered upon this issue and questioned God many times. I
eventually came to the conclusion that there must be some deep, profound reason for this.
One reason, I concluded, is that God wants us to grow spiritually and nurture within our
souls a strong feeling of gratitude. Of course, it is a natural tendency to seek our individual
happiness, but when we seek our own happiness, we tend to forget to be grateful for what we
have, and we only focus on the imperfections in our life. We eventually end our lives full of
dissatisfactions and disharmony.
Recently, I met an elderly woman. She was over 80 years old, and she does gardening
and farming to keep herself healthy and vigorous. She is grateful for everything in her life, and
she does Gratitude, expressing her gratitude for all things through her words such as Thank
you, God. I was able to enjoy my breakfast this morning, or Thank you, God. I was able to
work on my farm today, picking weeds.

This elderly woman, however, cannot express her gratitude toward her husband with
whom she has had a long relationship with. She thinks, Why does he quit working on the farm
so soon. He spends more time resting than working on the farm. Whatever her husband says or
does upsets her. She insists, No matter how much my ministers tell me to be grateful, I can
NEVER, ABSOLUTELY NEVER, express my gratitude toward my husband.
I posed this question to her, You have grandchildren and great-grandchildren, dont
you? She suddenly shared a big smile, and said, Yes, yes, I have many. My grandchildren are
very lovely, but my great-grandchildren are REALLY, REALLY cute and lovely. I said, So
you are really lucky and fortunate, arent you? and she said, Yes, I have a happy, fortunate life.
My daughter-in-law is very nice to me too. I am grateful for everything in my life. This all due
to the Grace of God and Meishu-sama. Her conclusion, however, is always the same, ...but my
husband is the exception.
I jokingly suggested to this elderly woman, Why dont you attach pictures of your lovely
great-grandchildren to your husbands forehead? She laughed at my suggestion, but understood
my point.
She began to see that without her husband, she would have neither her lovely
grandchildren nor her great-grandchildren. We are a conglomeration of all our ancestors,
therefore, in her situation, her husband exists within her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
If she really loves her grandchildren, and is grateful for these cute great-grandchildren, then
naturally she should be able to be grateful for husband as well. If you think in this way, you can
be grateful for everything, even when something unpleasant happens to you.
Gods Love
There is another important reason why God sometimes gives us difficulties or problems.
It is to understand the process of purification as an expression of Gods great Love to forgive,
purify and save us.
When we face difficulties, let us seek Gods Will and deeply reflect upon where we need
to improve ourselves whether it be how we can better our relationships with others, how we can
better understand what our ancestors want for us, or how we can better implement those ancestral
messages in our daily lives. Through our continual efforts, and through these trials and errors, we
are given permission for spiritual growth and spiritual elevation.
If we have any purifications that are not resolved yet, it is an expression of Gods Love for
us in order to train and nurture us to become a true child of the Creator. If you truly understand
Gods Love, you will believe that the greater the purification, the greater Love and Blessings God
is sending to us. You will then try your best to face these purifications with a positive attitude. I
believe this is the step by step way for us to become closer to God.
In our prayer book, there is a Gosanka poem that says:
Those who love humanity and help people in need,
Are always loved and protected by God,
Wherever they may go.
No matter how much a person is loved and cared for by people around him, by that fact
alone he cannot create his own true happiness. You cannot feel the Love of God just by wishing
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and waiting for it, but when you begin to love people, serve others and help others who are in
need, God will nurture genuine love within you. God will then bless you with true happiness and
fulfillment.
An important point is how you live your life, not how many years you live. In Meishusamas poem, he writes:
The human soul is priceless,
Repeating birth and death over and over again,
Growing and expanding throughout eternity.
We are born and reborn countless times, and through these reincarnations, we learn to
love others and love our ancestors. Through this process, we ultimately learn about the depth of
Gods Love, and we are guided to eternal happiness.
At this Annual Ancestor Service, let this be a starting point to continue the practice of
Sonen Jissen. Let us develop a strong connection to Meishu-sama, as our Savior, and knowingly
work together with our ancestors to serve God as His Instruments of Love. We pledge this to
God and Meishu-sama on this auspicious occasion.
Thank you very much.