Great Construction

Our Work

     We continue strenuous efforts at our peril for the great purpose of the salvation of all humanity. Today in this world of the last days of darkness, in accordance with divine direction we are carrying out the task of world salvation. In spite of the grandiose sentiments of this statement, the scale of our work is still small, limited to inside Japan, but it is not as if there is still a long way to go before our work reaches all the peoples of the world. By day and by month is gradually increasing the number of people in Japan who are now being saved by the Japan Kannon Church. Permeated in the rejoicing of immediate rebirth are those individuals who had been exposed to the fate of certain death. Trapped in the maelstrom of the three miseries of disease, poverty, conflict are those families who have been completely liberated to a life of joy. Young men and women, wandering at the crossroads of despair, who had been ready to forsake this life, persons who had sought conviction in science or in philosophy or in religion but who not being given true satisfaction, suffered in turmoil, all have now gained true peace of mind since learning about the Kannon Church. Farmers who have discovered the divinely-revealed farming method and who, putting into practice non fertilizer cultivation, rejoice to produce abundant harvests. Impossible it is indeed to count the number of those who have obtained true happiness and are now leading a life in appreciation of the blessings they receive.
     The above is just a rough outline, but those who have read so far have probably gained a general idea of our work. The appearance of such a great power of salvation would most likely have thought to have been only a dream. One might wonder from where comes this activity of salvation. The source is nothing other than the great power of God. Individuals of a materialistic inclination view our sacred work as superstitious and heretical for which they attempt to obstruct our activities. Because our good work of contributing to society is misinterpreted, their efforts are nothing other than misplaced and a hindrance. The effects from these erroneous efforts arouse suspicion in the minds of members of the general public. We are continually the object of unpleasant concern, and the bad publicity does not end.
     We believe. The extent of the work in which the Japan Kannon Church is now engaged and how much it advances the reconstruction of Japan and the welfare of humanity is most likely beyond imagination. On further reflection, when we look back at the many religions that have existed and upon the saints and their works that deserve respect, we know that there are some that have disappeared and there are those that still exist because they have excellent value. Of course, those that were more or less superstition and evil also appeared, and it is but a matter of course that those which gave birth to more harm than benefit to society were naturally weeded out. Thus, it is not unreasonable that when a new religion appears, it is taken to be superstitious and evil. But error is error, and it is only natural that because of this error many lambs who could have been saved are sacrificed which does constitute a great sin. In this sense, we must enlighten as quickly as possible those ignorant ones who misunderstand us.

Hikari, Issue 15, June 30, 1949
    translated by cynndd