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     In a short period, the Japan Kannon Church has made abnormally rapid progress and continues increasingly to grow and expand the range of its teachings, an example unparalleled in the history of religions.
     There has to be something that people find for them to continue faith in these tough times when they have to shell out money with no time for leisure. But followers range from all social positions and stations, from politicians, academic doctors, university professors, high government officials, influential businessmen to owners of small- and medium-sized enterprises, workers, and farmers. The number of followers of the Kannon Church has gradually reached around a quarter of a million. Merely a glance at such numbers should give pause for thought.
     It is a fact that not few are those who close their eyes to the preceding facts, do not investigate any points or aspects, and determine on moralistic grounds that the Kannon Church is superstitious and heretical. What does this say? Of course, it is a mistake to generalize about and despise such people, and this is because it is a fact that until now almost all New Religions have not had true value. Indeed, in their beginnings, they showed spectacular growth and it seemed that they had promise of becoming great, but many do know it is a fact that as time passed, these religions lost their energy and ended in a whimper. The situation is that only a few continue to exist.
     For members of society on whose minds are imprinted these examples, it is only natural that they lump all New Religions together as superstitious and heretical.
     But here, I would like to say something regarding the Japan Kannon Church. That is, for all of you to throw out memories of other religions, make your mind a clean slate, and view us through non-tinted glasses. The quickest place to start is with the results of our unique Johrei. Not only are these results unprecedented in the history of religion, nay, in the history of humanity, they are indicative of a power that cannot be imagined. Our claim is neither smug nor posturing. It is a living fact. The best evidence are the countless reports that overflow with appreciation of experiences with Johrei. These are published as testimonials on the pages of the newspaper Hikari (Light) and the magazine Chijōtengoku (Paradise on Earth).
     A compelling point is that the aforementioned testimonials are all accompanied by the full names of the writers and their complete addresses, so everyone, including the authorities, may investigate the facts, either through the post or by visiting. Even though only few have done so, there has been up to now no one who has come forward to claim that any of the facts in the testimonials are wrong. Of course, among the testimonials are those that describe individuals who had received from the doctors a death sentence, those who had been pronounced incurable, those for whom it was determined that medical science could do nothing who have all been completely cured. There are as well countless examples of miracles that do not involve medical science. Daily in every sphere of life occur miracles that are incomprehensible to those of contemporary common sense. We have the outrageous ideal of the realization of paradise on earth, a world without disease, poverty, conflict, and once this conviction is acknowledged, belief in the possibility of such is inevitable.
     Thus, the work we carry out is actually not religion. When religion is mentioned, people tend to think of existing religions, and when trying to grasp the reality of the Japan Kannon Church, this common tendency becomes an obstacle. To tell the truth, the Kannon Church is a great, unprecedented activity of salvation. During this period of global transition, humanity would find it difficult to avoid crisis without large-scale salvation. For this purpose God has chosen me as the expediter of this great task. I make it a point of not saying that I am the Messiah, but I can say right now that in the future will come the time when God has me manifest messianic power.
     Since antiquity, for a certain period religions have been misunderstood which is quite clear from a study of religious history. I am no exception to this phenomenon, and although there are those who will constantly misunderstand me, those who do support me are gradually increasing. Therefore, I act only in accord with God’s command and follow the changes through time, leaving all in the hands of God.

“Jijitsu wa Yūben Nari” originally appeared in Chijōtengoku, Issue 11, December 20, 1949, and was reprinted in the anthology Igaku Kankei Goronbun Shū (Collected Essays on Medical Science) that did enjoy a limited circulation. Igaku Kankei Goronbun Shū contains no publication data, but internal evidence suggests that its editing stopped several months preceding Meishu-sama’s Ascension. Furthermore, since the book lacks publication data, whether the volume had Meishu-sama’s imprimatur or not is unknown, so details concerning this volume are probably impossible to research. “Jijitsu wa Yūben Nari” has appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.