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     My topic is fate, but one point which first must be clarified is that fate and destiny are considered to be the same by most people. Fate and destiny, however, differ completely, so let me address this difference. What must be understood is that destiny is determined at birth, but fate can be fashioned by the individual. There is probably not one individual who has not had the experience of being thwarted at every turn in life, and this occurs because as described above, each person is born within the confines of a destiny, and it is determined that one cannot leave those boundaries. Therefore, it is essential that human beings know the boundaries within which they have been born, but to do so is so difficult that it could be said to be impossible.
     Because individuals do not know about these limits or what they are, they fail because they make plans above their limits and pursue hopes beyond their capacity. However, if at these times, they quickly realize their predicament, withdraw, and try again later, suffering will be light, but when they do not realize the limits of their fate, they produce even bigger failures because they strain and push to accomplish their goals. Then again, some people fail because by too much they underestimate the world. So, after piling failure upon failure, working hard to get their affairs going again, and encountering all sorts of difficulties, most people finally realize they have hit their limit. It is sufficient if people do realize this, but it is a great pity that there are still many who never perceive their limits, and die, unfortunately having fallen to the very bottom, never understanding this important point. Above I have treated the situation concerning fate as it relates to individuals without faith, but with those with faith, the situation differs.
     To speak to this distinction, I must talk about the spirit. The process of purification may thought to be only disease and sickness, but not at all. The cause of all anguish and suffering is purification. For example, whether it is to suffer loss through fraud; damage by fire, injury or theft; family misfortune; business loss or failure; financial troubles; husband and wife quarrels; falling out among parents and siblings; or conflict between relatives or acquaintances, all are the process of purification. As such, there is no other way to remove cloud than purification, so to the extent that one has cloud, purification cannot be avoided. Lessening cloud is the absolute condition for creating good fortune. When the soul is purified to a certain extent, the necessity for purification disappears, and misfortune changes to good fortune. This is truth, so what individuals should do is not to wait for good fortune to come but to cleanse one’s fate and then wait.
     As described above, faith is the way to cleanse the soul without suffering. Those who do not have faith will absolutely not have good fortune. But as there are various kinds of faith, unless it is a faith of creditable power, true good fortune is not to be had. This is where it should be known that it is World Messianity which fulfills the conditions outlined above.

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“Unmei wa Jiyū ni Tsukurareru,” which was originally published in Chijōtengoku, Issue 41, October 25, 1952, page 5, and, later while Meishu-sama still alive, reprinted in Goshinsho: Shūkyō-hen (Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), March 25, 1954, page 21, has appeared in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“Man Can Control His Fate,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 286.

“People Can Influence Their Own Fate,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Three, 2005, page 66.

“You Are Free to Make Your Own Destiny,” A Hundred Teachings of Meishusama, no date, page 166.