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     “God is order” is an adage that has been cited since antiquity, and I believe this concept is absolutely apt. In whatever affair or endeavor, that it does not proceed smoothly is because order has been disturbed, particularly so in human affairs. The old Chinese saying that “husband and wife are separate; there is an order among the old and young” is well put. The disorder of society in all aspects is quite conspicuous these days. Also that which deserves particular note is that order and manners have an inextricable relationship. As is observable in nature, there is nothing in spring, in summer, in fall, in winter, in the light and dark of each day, in the growth and development of grasses and trees, and so forth that is not accompanied by order. The plum trees will never blossom before the cherry trees. Let me give some illustrations from daily life.
     When making a visit to a shrine or temple for worship, it will be of no use if some other errand is carried out beforehand. This is because the errand predominates and worship is subordinate. The same is true when going to receive Johrei for an illness. The place to receive Johrei should be visited first and the errand attended to later. Needless to say, the result will be remarkable. Sometimes I come across cases in the construction of a residence where the children’s rooms are placed on the second floor and the parents’ room is located below. Because the children are placed in a superior position, they will not obey their parents’ instructions. The case of employers and employees is the same, so great care should be taken.
     Another point that may seem insignificant is the seating arrangements in a room. The head of the household should sit at the chief seat, “the seat of honor” as it were, followed in order by the wife, by the eldest son, second son, second daughter, and so on. Harmony and concord will pervade a household in which the order of seating is observed. When such is not observed, it is only natural that discord and unpleasantness will occur more readily. Among my many experiences of attending gatherings, there have been instances when a feeling of unpleasantness came upon me on entering the room. Making a close observation at such times, I could see that mistakes had been made in the seating. So, in order to decide which are the places of honor and which are not, areas near the entrance should be considered as the lower, and those farthest away from the door, the higher. All Japanese know that the area in front of the traditional alcove in a Japanese room is of the highest honor, so, it is sufficient that you look for the tokonoma and for the entrance, and make a judgment based on common sense.
     As far as left and right are concerned, left is spirit and the higher, while right is physical, so therefore lower. People predominantly use their right hands as this is the physical.

Assorted Reflections, Jikan Library, Volume 5, page 9, August 30, 1949
translated by cynndd

“Junjo” first appeared as the fifth chapter of the Japan Kannon Church publication Jikan Zuidan (Assorted Reflections), page 9, August 30, 1949, and was later reprinted while Meishu-sama still alive in the essays anthology for ministers Goshinsho: Shūkyōhen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), page 51, March 25, 1954. “Junjo” has appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“Do Not Deviate from the Law of Order,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 354.

“Observe the Law of Order,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Three, 2005, page 57.

“Order,” A Hundred Teachings of Meishusama, page 141, no date.

“Order,” Meishu and His Teachings, circa 1965, page 71 (text abridged by about 30%).