(NA from Mie Prefecture/60s/Female/Housewife)
I like Shinji Kyōkai very much and have learned the teachings for about forty years. My husband became a shinja after we got married, but ever since his overtime work got increased, he became less active in visiting Kyōkai. Although he would see me off to visit Kyōkai with a positive attitude, I felt hesitant to ask him anything about his thoughts about Kyōkai.
The theme of this year is “What is required is to learn the teachings with family members and to endeavor to create a family that interacts based on the principles.” I wanted to approach this theme even a little and asked my husband. And, we started to go to Shinji Kyōkai again as husband and wife. Just about when things were looking good between us, a serious issue came up between us.
Husband and I…Each of Us Got a Realization
My only son suddenly disappeared from home, did not show up at his office, and we were not able to contact him. When we checked his posts on his social media account, there was a sentence which he hinted he will kill himself. Although we asked the police to search for our missing son, my husband could not go to work and searched desperately every place he could think in the scorching weather.
On the other hand, my husband felt indifferent when he saw me who moved calmly. I asked him that “Let’s go to Shinji Kyōkai and ask for Kyōmu Sōdan.” and we went there. When we sat down for Sōdan, I thought my husband might not say anything, but he said a lot of words one after another about he thinks of our son and tries to protect our family. “I misunderstood my husband. I have not cherished the thoughts of him….” At this timing, I realized for the first time.
An Endeavor to Face the Same Direction as Husband and Wife
The moment I realized what he was thinking about us in his kokoro the entire time, and I determined to support each other, I was filled with the sense at ease which I was not sure about. As I offered kigan, I mysteriously realized our feelings became one about anything.
Gradually, my taciturn husband came to express his own thoughts. And also, I could talk anything to him. When we changed like that, we heard our son was found. Twenty-three days have passed since he had missing. The place he turned up was at Shinsōhonbu. It was just where we hoped for him to be there.
My son went to Shinji Kyōkai to say good-bye, and his kokoro was moved to eat Yuba-don (rice served in a bowl with dried soymilk) at Aikō no Yakata. My son apologized as his eyes were filled with tears, and my husband hugged him gently as he said, “The only place you go back is our home….”
To Experience the joy as Parents
Our love as parents might reach him…, he tries to get over. When he apologized at his work place, he was welcomed warmly and said “It is helpful when you work with us.”
After one month later, we stayed at Hikari no Sato with our three family members and attended Fukuju no Tsudoi. When we ate dinner, my son prepared beer and said that “Let’s drink together.” When I saw his smile, I was so happy that “I cannot believe I could see his smile!” At the same time, I unconsciously took a snap shot. I never forget the taste of that dinner.
“I was unlucky today.” My son talked honestly such an unpleasant occurrence. It is happy for me since we approach the family that we could talk anything. Our family is greatly protected and saved. We try to become one as our three family members to show our happy figure more to Kami.
Heeding the Shinji to Understand the Reasons for the Joys Experienced
Shinji is the universal principle (truth), and can also be the guidance of life that foresees the future. Please feel the wonders of a life that flows exactly in a way the Shinji tells us when you live with the teachings of Kami.
Shinji
The home is a needed environment to hone and elevate a person’s (human beings) kokoro (unmei-jittai) and to live out a life of no regrets.
When the teachings are learned together with family members, the kokoro of a person (human beings) is fostered in a home where the principles exist.
When each family member understands their place and position in the relationship to one another, a person (human beings) live a life that is one with their unmei.
Be the person (family) who lives by the teachings and knows the worth of a home.