Great Construction

Path Opening for the Happiness of Humanity
Commemorating the First Year of Publication

QUESTION: As we approach the anniversary of Hikari, with its new mission after being retitled Kyūsei, the newspaper welcomes its deeply significant first-year anniversary. During this one-year period, the name has been changed from Hikari [Light], to Kyūsei [World Salvation], but I think that in addition to this change there must have been quite a number of personal feelings. We would like to ask you to relate your impression of those feelings. 

ANSWER: There have been trials and tribulations during this year, but as for myself there are a great number of memories that will be engraved on the pages of the history of my life. Writing calligraphy is one of my hobbies and has also become part of my work, but the past year the seriousness I have come to put into my literary activity has been unprecedented. Previously, whether writing calligraphy or composing poetry, there were times when I did them with a light air, but nowadays they can’t be called hobbies! I cannot do them leisurely. They are all performed under God’s orders, and I can’t but take up my brush with a grave and tense attitude. In other words, in opposing the penmanship of evil, I have come to have to fight with the penmanship of good. No matter how much the world may be described as having changed, there has been no time when there has been such rude and reckless journalism as today. Instead of calling it reckless, rather journalists are out of their senses. No matter how much we speak of commercial newspapers depending on an appeal to tastes, the trend to triumphantly injure and slander others is not good. This past year, World Messianity experienced having to suffer from such bad journalism, but as you can see, it has not injured us a jot. This in itself is what establishes silent proof of World Messianity’s righteousness, and the bad journalists have to surrender totally in the face of justice. Well, when the force of something new is seen to muscle in on that which is old, it is only natural that a part of existing camps will unavoidably oppose and try to block it. It is only human nature to have ill feelings when shown up by newcomers. This thorny path will only last awhile. It is a characteristic of the Japanese that when newcomers have attained their footing, complaints cease. There is nothing murky or fishy about World Messiainty, so even if there occurs something more offensive, it will amount to a mere trifle, but I certainly do not prefer such situations. Even though there is uproar from various quarters, and even if we get a bit behind, we will still be steadily advancing step by step toward our goal. I am also a human being, and the extremely poisonous nature of the attacks against us angers me. But, stifling my personal indignation and simply following God’s orders, persevering over hardships has continued throughout the year. The superficial journalists of the post-war era will probably not be able to understand this hardship at all.

Gushing Enthusiasm—Serving God Without Malice

QUESTION: During this year in which we have transitioned from Hikari to Kyūsei, your production every week of such a quantity of writings surely must be more than just consummate skill. I am sure you must be exhausted. 

ANSWER: Just like a springhead from which water gushes out, the power of my brush has not declined. Nay, depending on the timing, taking advantage of opportunities, more and more, the busier I am, the better I work. My enthusiasm for God is obvious from my writings to date, so those who doubt me should peruse what I have published, and I believe they will understand. Not one word or one phrase of falsehood. For one thing, not just about me but for World Messianity as a whole, if there were one jot of wickedness in the heart, members would not put up with it. Our work is conducted in a glass house, so there is no anxiety or doubt.

Time of Direct Divine Intervention in the Universe

QUESTION: Jesus Christ is titled Messiah (savior). How is that related? 

ANSWER: In the West, Christ is referred to as Messiah, but this designation still lacks the basis of a firm definition. And even to speak of a savior, there is no one who has truly accomplished that goal. That actual power has probably not been manifested until the first half of the twentieth century, but it can be said that the period when the actual power of God will be expressed has started. I think that in the West, Christ’s innate actual power will be exerted, but in the East, I am certain that Messiah will indeed manifest divine power. Thus, understanding based on how religion has been regarded to date is impossible. Divine power of such mystery, subtly, and profundity will appear for the first time. I, of course, am deputy for Messiah, so I am not permitted to imagine what form the activity of Messiah may take, but I think it could safely be said, inferring from God’s course, that although slight at present, tremendous spiritual power will intervene in the universe. 

QUESTION: Are there any conspicuous examples particularly since we have become World Messianity? 

ANSWER: A very sharp response has appeared in the spiritual world. Miracles (blessings) have intensified. The blessings that have been experienced so far seem to be mediocre compared to those recently reported where blessings unimaginable before have been occurring over and over again. Furthermore, everywhere the judgment of good and evil is becoming more pronounced, and the condemnation of evil is being rigorously conducted. The difference between Hikari and Kyūsei lies in this point. It should be noted that this change of names is not merely a rebranding or a change of trademarks. 

QUESTION: In what aspect is the global significance of the birth of World Messianity? 

ANSWER: The sphere of the activity of God until now has been confined to the one region of Japan, but from now it will spread to all of Asia. As is meant by the saying, there are no borders to faith, God’s activity is limitless throughout the universe, to each blade of grass, to each tree will be extended compassion and mercy. Moreover, as World Messianity’s motto of a state, a condition, absolutely free of disease, poverty, conflict spreads everywhere, the appearance of a peaceful world will become as clear as day. Conflict is the most abhorred and disliked by humanity. Humanity muse cease conflict at all costs. Not to mention, Japan bears the burden of leading the way to a peaceful world as the Japanese do not possess armaments. Domestically now, the controversy over whether the fervent hope for peace is left-wing or right-wing is quite infantile. I can’t believe that the attitude of working in earnest for peace will amount to anything. Little conflicts gradually arise and become rivalries and hatred among peoples and nations. In these circumstances, divisions arise within nations. The Japanese who suffered as long-term victims of samurai government and then under the oppression of the military cliques want composure and calm. They truly want to escape from domestic rivalry to form a pleasant peaceful nation-state. Can’t there be a return to easy-going feelings? It really is a pity that recently has become keenly pronounced the narrow- mindedness of the Japanese people.

World Peace Possible—Working With Christianity

QUESTION: Is the implementation of world peace possible through the power of religion?

ANSWER: I absolutely believe it is possible. As I said before, in the West is Christ, and in the East, Messiah. These two energies will act in concert in the East and West, and if all followers seriously fight for world peace, I think that eternal peace will certainly come about. No matter how atheistic a nation may be, it will not like it when it feels the anger of God. The beliefs of the Church of World Messianity have their roots in the desire for the eternal peace of humanity.

QUESTION: Has there been some kind of response anywhere in the world?

ANSWER: Yes, there has. A few days ago I received a letter from Mr. Kaju Nakamura in Washington, D.C., a lower house Diet member who has gone to the United States. The periodical of World Messianity, Hikari, has created quite a sensation among his colleagues. When free travel is permitted again, Kyūsei will probably be sent and distributed abroad in great quantities. Also, it is being said that when Mr. Yonezō Okamoto publishes his translations of World Messianity’s publications, it will create quite a sensation over there. It is said that even in the U.S., the new religion, the Baha’i Faith, is developing quite vigorously. Not only Christianity but various religions are followed by Americans. And it appears there are fewer superstitious elements and these religions have adopted very rationalized doctrines. Further, since there is no oppression, religions can freely operate uprightly and honestly. I believe the time will come when a religion that aims at reality like World Messianity will be understood by Americans.

QUESTION: I understand there are some who have doubts about the great number of testimonials in World Messianity.

ANSWER: There seems to have been a movement that had doubts about various aspects of the testimonials and there are persons who visited and investigated some writers. However, all the reports were true with no embellishment, and the investigators were quite astonished. For the organization’s part, we are so inundated by testimonials that we have trouble processing them all. What we publish now is just a small part of what we receive and we have to sit on a great number of them. I am really floored because we get complaints from followers asking why their testimonials did not appear in print. The collection of testimonials is indeed a living bible that reports actual facts of experiences. The other day, a reporter from the Mainichi newspapers said that there were no falsehoods in any of the testimonials investigated, and that they indeed are sacred texts for the twentieth century. Reporters from one of the great newspapers probably wouldn’t write a lie nor would they most likely make compliments either.

Sacred Temple Nearly Completed—Role in International Goodwill As Well

QUESTION: When will be completed the sacred temple for World Messianity now under construction in the Atami Grounds of Auspicious Clouds?

ANSWER: Construction has become much greater in scope than the original plan, so it is a little behind schedule and may take all of this year. But, upon completion it will present a spectacular sight, unparalleled in the Far East. I believe there will be constructed a building of limitless splendor. But, because these are the times we live in, all extraneous gaudiness has been eschewed, and the architecture has been made simple and elegant. The style is that of Le Corbusier, painted in white. It will be the first of its style in Atami, with a tinge of modern chic. It will seat several thousand people, and I think it will be used even for the wedding ceremonies of couples who are not followers of World Messianity. The Church of World Messianity has already spent a vast sum of money on construction and when this building is completed, I am certain that the essence of World Messianity will certainly be accepted. Somehow or another, unless something tangible is made that can be seen with the eyes, the Japanese people overly scrutinize and don’t get excited. When this building appears before the gaze of the general public, there will most likely be general acknowledgment. In addition to the sacred temple, will also be rest facilities for followers, hot springs, an observation deck, and also a great art museum that will be available to the general public, so the grounds will perform the great role of contributing to international good will.

QUESTION: In the midst of all these activities, there appear to be some people who say that World Messianity is in essence controlling the City of Atami.

ANSWER: This is astonishing. The City of Atami is a self-governing body that is formed of citizens. There exists not even one particle of participation by World Messiaintiy in this self-governing body. We cannot monopolize the City, and based on the official view of religion held by society, we have no relation to city government. I am sure we would like to contribute all we can toward the development of Atami, and to date, we have tried to do so. The City of Atami is not that measly of a place, not that puny, so people who worry about such things, don’t know about Atami. There are limits to some people’s ignorance. Nonsensical brains can only spew forth nonsense. This is really the height of the contemptible.

Kyūsei, Issue 53, page 3, March 11, 1950
translated by cynndd