Konko Daijin

Konkō Daijin (金光大神; also known as Kawate Bunjirō 川手文治郎, 1814–1883) was a Japanese religious leader who founded the Konkōkyō (金光教) religion in 1859. Konkōkyō, which was officially classified as a Shinto Sect in 1885, is currently headquartered in Konko Town, Okayama Prefecture, Japan.

Quotes

Voice of the Universe

Voice of the Universe, or Tenchi wa Kataru: Konkōkyō Kyōtenshō (天地は語る:金光敎敎典抄) in Japanese, is a collection of 400 quotes attributed to Konko Daijin. Almost all of the quotes are from the 3-volume Kyōten Gorikai (金光大神御理解集, "Teachings of Konko Daijin"), which is part of the Konkōkyō Kyōten (金光教教典); 5 quotes are from the first two parts of the Konkōkyō Kyōten. The quotes are organized according to the name of the disciple who wrote them down. They are preceded by the volume number (I, II, III) and followed by the verse number.
Japanese original: Konkokyo Honbu 金光敎本部 (1989). Tenchi wa Kataru: Konkōkyō Kyōtenshō (天地は語る:金光敎敎典抄). Konkokyo Honbu Kyocho 金光敎本部敎庁. 
English translation: Konkokyo Honbu (1996). Voice of the universe: selected teachings of Konkokyo. Konkokyo Honbu. 
  • 2. 天地は生き通しである。天地が生きているから、人間もみな生きていられるのである。
    • Heaven and Earth continue to live. Because Heaven and Earth are alive, all people are able to live.
      • (III Jinkyukyogoroku 104)
  • 24. 鳥や獣がどのようにして生きていくかを考えてみても、神のお恵みがわかる。冬になったといって重ね着をするでもなく、夏になっても一枚も脱ぐことはない。神はそれでちゃんとさしつかえないように育てておられる。
    • Think about how birds and animals survive, and you will understand the blessings of Kami. In winter, they don't put on anything extra; and in summer, they don't take off anything. Kami raises them without any problems.
  • 39. 天地金乃神はこの世の親神であるから、天地金乃神に信心しているといっても、していないといっても、天地の間に生きているからには、天地金乃神の子に変わりはない。
    • Since Tenchi Kane No Kami is the parent kami of this world, all people who live between Heaven and Earth are the children of Tenchi Kane No Kami regardless of whether they practice this Faith or not.
      • (III Jinkyukyogoroku 32)
  • 54. 人のことをそしる者がある。神道はどう、仏教がこうなどと、そしったりする。自分の産んだ子供の中で、一人は僧侶になり、一人は神父になり、一人は神主になり、また、役人になり、職人になり、商人になりというようになった時、親は、その子供の中でだれかがそしられて、うれしいと思うだろうか。他人をそしるのは、神の心にかなわない。釈迦もキリストもどの宗祖も、みな神のいとし子である。
    • There are those who speak ill of others. They slander the Shinto and Buddhist religions. Imagine having children of which one became a Buddhist monk, one a Christian reverend, one a Shinto priest, another a government official, one a craftsman, and another a merchant. If someone slandered one of your children, would you, as a parent, feel happy?
      When slandering others, you do not reflect Kami's heart. Buddha, Christ or any other founder of a religion are all Kami's beloved children.
      • (II Sato, Norio 4:3-5)
  • 55. 生きている間も死んだ後も天と地はわが住みかである。生きても死んでも天地のお世話になることを悟れ。
    • Whether you are living or dead, Heaven and Earth will always be your home. Be enlightened that, whether you are living or dead, you are under the care of the Universe.
      • (I Sato, Norio 21:20-21)
  • 56. お天道様のお照らしなさるのもおかげ、
雨の降られるのもおかげである。
人間はみな、おかげの中に生かされて生きている。
人間は、おかげの中に生まれ、
おかげの中で生活をし、
おかげの中に死んでいくのである。
  • The light that the Sun shines upon us is a divine blessing.
The rain that falls is a divine blessing as well.
All humans are allowed to live in the midst of divine blessings.
People are born amid divine blessings,
live amid divine blessings,
and die amid divine blessings.
  • (II Toshimori, Shino 1)
  • 60. 死ぬ用意をすな。生きる用意をせよ。死んだら土になるのみ。
    • Don't prepare for death. Do preparations for living. When you die, you will only return to the ground.
      • (I Shimamura, Hachitaro 45)
  • 66. 金光大神が、
「死ぬということはどういうものでありましょうか」
と神におたずねしたところ、「死ぬのは寝入っているのと同様である。死ぬことをいとうな」と仰せられた。
  • Konko Daijin asked Kami, "What is death like?"
Kami responded, "Death is like a deep sleep, do not fear it."
  • (II Kataoka, Jiroshiro 6)
  • 67. 死ぬということは、もみを臼でひいた時、殻と実とが分かれるようなものである。時が来れば魂と体とが分かれるのである。
    • Death is like the separation of the rice kernel from its hull. When the time comes, the body and soul will separate.
      • (II Yamamoto, Sadajiro 9:1-2)
  • 80. 用心せよ。わが心の鬼がわが身を責める。
    • Be careful not to be tormented by yourself.
      • (III Shinkun 2:24)
  • 90. 今、天地の開ける音を聞いて、目を覚ませ。
    • Now, hear the sound of the Universe opening, and be awakened.
      • (II Kunieda, Sangoro 12)
  • 91. 日に日に生きることが信心である。
    • To practice faith is to live day to day.
      • (III Konko Kyoso Gorikai 26:2)
  • 111. 心は広く持っておれ。世界は広く考えておれ。世界はわが心にある。
    • Have an open heart. Be broad-minded about the world. The world is in your own heart.
      • (I Ichimura, Mitsugoro 1 44:1)
  • 117. 拝めとも何をせよとも言わない。ただ一つ真の信心をせよと言うのに、その一つができないのか。
    • I do not tell you to chant prayers or anything else. I only tell you to practice a sincere faith. Can’t you even do that?
      • (I Shimamura, Hachitaro 29)
  • 128. 真にありがたいと思う心は、おかげのはじめである。
    • A heart of true gratitude is the beginning of divine blessings.
      • (III Shinkun 2:3)
  • 133. おかげはたらいの水である。向こうへやろうとすれば、こちらへ来る。こちらへ取ろうとすれば、向こうへ行く。
    • Divine blessings are like the water in a washtub. If you push the tub away, the water will come towards you. And if you pull it towards you, the water will go the other way.
      • (I Shimamura, Hachitaro 21)
  • 159. 神が天地の理を説いて、安心の道を授けてやる。
    • Kami will teach the Way of the Universe and show people the way to give themselves peace.
      • (II Okida, Kisaburo 3:2)
  • 163. 信心は話しを聞くだけでは十分でない。わが心からも練り出すがよい。
    • Just listening to teachings is not enough. You should develop faith within yourself.
      • (III Konko Kyoso Gorikai 41)
  • 165. 神は昼夜も遠い近いも問わない。頼む心にへだてなく祈れ。
    • There is neither day nor night, near nor far for Kami. Pray with a sincere heart anytime, anywhere.
      • (III Shinkun 1:6)
  • 166. 神を礼拝するのに、別に決まりはない。実意丁寧、正直、真一心がかなめである。
    日々生かされているお礼を申し、次に、お互い凡夫の身で、知らず知らずにご無礼、お粗末、お気障りなどをしている道理であるから、それをお断りおわび申して、それがすんだら、身の上のことを何かと実意をもってお願いさせてもらうがよい。
    • There is no particular way to worship Kami. Just be sincere, conscientious, honest, and sincerely single-hearted.
      Give thanks for being able to live from day to day and apologize for the irreverence, carelessness, and arrogance that you commit unknowingly. Then with sincerity, tell any personal requests that you may have to Kami.
      • (II Fukushima, Gihe'e 4:1-2)
  • 167. 信心といっても別にむずかしいことはない。親にものを言うように、朝起きたら神にお礼を申し、その日のことが都合よくいくように願い、よそへ行く時には、行ってまいりますと言ってお届け申しあげよ。
    そして、帰って来たら、無事で帰りましたとお礼を言い、夜寝る時にはまた、その日のお礼を申して寝るようにすれば、それで信心になる。
    • Practicing faith is not especially difficult. When you get up in the morning, give thanks and pray for a good day, as if you are talking to your parents. When you go out, inform Kami that you are leaving.
      And when you return home, give thanks for returning home safely. Also, before going to sleep, give thanks for that day. This is practicing faith.
      • (II Hirano, Goroshiro 2:2)
  • 183. 信心する者は、山へ行って木の切り株に腰をおろして休んでも、立つ時には礼を言う心持ちになれ。
    • Those who practice faith should feel gratitude even after sitting and resting on a tree stump in the mountains.
      • (II Unknown 23)
  • 201. 世間には、水の行、火の行などがあり、いろいろの物断ちをする人もあるが、そのような行はしなくてもよい。巡礼のように白い着物を着てあちらこちらを巡り歩く暇に、毎日の家業を信心の行と心得て勤め、おかげを受けるがよい。
    • In this world, there are austerities of fire and water, and people who practice various taboos. You need not do such austerities. Instead of donning a white robe and going on a pilgrimage, think of your everyday work as practicing religious austerities. Then receive divine blessings.
      • (II Fukushima, Gihe'e 8:2)
  • 202. 水をかぶって行をするというが、体にかぶっても何にもならない。心にかぶれ。寒三十日の水行をするといっても、それは体を苦しめて病気をこしらえるようなものである。家内や子供の病気のために水をかぶって、一週間日参をしても治らなければ、自分の体に傷がつくだけである。水をかぶったから真である、水をかぶらないから真がないとはいえない。食わずの行をするのは、金光大神は大嫌いである。食べて飲んで体を大切にして信心をせよ。
    • Pouring water over the body for ascetic training is futile. Pour it over your heart instead. Pouring water over your body for thirty days in winter will only torture your body and make you ill. Doing such training and going to worship everyday for a week because your wife or child is sick will all be in vain. Your body will only suffer.
      You cannot say that a person who pours water over his body is sincere. Nor can you say that a person who doesn't is not sincere. Konko Daijin despises ascetic fasting. Practice faith by eating and drinking properly and treating your body with care.
      • (II Sato, Mitsujiro 18:1-2)
  • 203. しかし、何もわざわざそんな不自由な山に行かなくても、心の中に山をこしらえて、その中で修行をしたらそれでよい。自分が山に入った心になっていれば、どんなに不自由なことがあっても、また家内のこしらえたものがまずくても、けっして不足を言うことはないであろう。
    • However, you need not trouble yourself by going to a mountain. Create a mountain in your heart, and do religious training there. Enter the mountain which you have created in your heart, then no matter if there are difficulties or unsavory meals from your wife, you will not complain.
      • (II Kondo, Fujimori 20:1-3)
  • 204. 人間は人間らしくすればよい。何も求めて不思議なことをしなくてもよい。
    • Humans should act like humans. Doing mysterious things is not necessary.
      • (II Sato, Norio 12)
  • 209. 木のもとへ肥料をやれば、枝振りまで栄える。
    先祖や親を大切にすれば繁盛させてくださる。
    • Place fertilizer at the roots of a tree, then its branches will grow lush.
      Respect your ancestors and parents, then you will prosper.
      • (II Takahashi, Tomie 33)
  • 219. 手厚く信心をする者は夢でもうかつに見るな。神は、夢にでも良し悪しを教えてくださる。
    • Those who practice faith conscientiously should not even take their dreams lightly. Kami will teach you good and bad even in your dreams.
      • (II Kondo, Fujimori 30)
  • 223. 思う念力岩をもとおすというが、信心する者が一心を出して願えば、どんなことでもかなえてくださる。
    • It is said a strong will can pass even through a rock. Your singleheartedness can make any request come true.
      • (I Ogihara, Sugi 17)
  • 226. 「一心になることは、はなはだむずかしいものと思います。拝みながら、いろいろのことが思われたりして、心の内が定まりませんが、どういうものでありましょうか」と申しあげると、
    「一心になる心は、子供をこしらえる時のようなぐあいに思い知れよ」と仰せられた。
    • I asked, "Being single-hearted is very difficult. While I pray, my mind becomes filled with many things, and my heart wavers. What should I do?"
      "The feeling of single-heartedness is similar to when you are mating to conceive a baby," Konko Sama answered.
      • (I Hatoya, Koichi 4)
  • 230. 金の杖をつけば曲がる。竹や木の杖をつけば折れる。神を杖につけばよい。
    神は、曲がりも折れも死にもなさらない。
    • A metal cane will get bent, and a bamboo or wooden cane will break.
      Therefore, use Kami as your cane. Kami can never be bent, can never break, and can never die.
      • (I Kondo, Fujimori 4)
  • 254. 若い時の信心は、老いての楽しみである。
    • The faith you have during youth will be the joy you have during old age.
      • (I Shimamura, Hachitaro 37)
  • 279. 「苗代にひきがえるが入って卵を産んで困ります」と願う者に対して、金光様は、「よそでは封じると言うが、うちでは封じない。かえるに、あぜで遊んでもらうようにすればよい。うちの田に入らないようにすれば、よその田に入るから」と教えられた。
    • A person told Konko Sama, "I am distressed by the frogs that come into my rice nursery to lay their eggs."
      Konko Sama imparted, "Other people try to keep frogs out, but I don't. Let the frogs hop around the pathways of your paddy. If you keep them out of your paddy, they will enter other people's paddies."
      • (II Konko, Ieyoshi 2)
  • 289. 人から出る日給はわかっても、神から出る日給はわかるまい。
    • People know of the daily wages that come from people, but they don't know of the daily wages that come from Kami.
      • (II Unknown 22)
  • 291. 何を飲むにも食べるにも、ありがたくいただく心を忘れるな。
    • Never forget to have a grateful heart whenever you drink or eat.
      • (III Shinkun 2:15)
  • 293. 食物は、わが心で毒にも薬にもなるものである。
    • Food becomes medicine or poison depending on your heart.
      • (III Shinkun 2:14)
  • 343. 縁談には、相性を調べ見合わせるより、真の心を見合わせよ。
    • When selecting a spouse, do not be concerned about superficial qualities, but be sure of the sincerity of the heart.
      • (III Shinkun 2:36)
  • 354. 金光大神の話は、学者の話や講義と違って、ここが続き、ここが切れ目ということがない。天地のある間は、天地の話が尽きることはない。金光大神は天地の道理を説くのである。
    • What I, Konko Daijin, say is different from what the scholars say. There is no beginning nor end. As long as the Universe exists, there will be no end to my teachings. I am to preach the Way of the Universe.
      • (II Sato, Norio 14:3)
  • 375. たとえ人にたたかれても、けっして人をたたいてはいけない。人に難儀をさせるな。よい心にならせてもらえばありがたいと思い、すれ違った人でも拝んであげよ。できるだけ人を助けるようにせよ。
    • Even if someone hits you, do not strike back. Don't cause suffering. Be thankful if your heart becomes good and pray even for those who pass by. When you are able, help others.
      • (II Onishi, Hide 8:1-2)
  • 396. 欲を捨てることについておたずねした時、
    「いやいや、私にも欲がある。世界の人を助けたい欲がある。欲を捨ててはいけない」と仰せになった。
    • I asked Konko Sama about eliminating human desire.
      He said, "No, no, I also have a desire. I have the desire to save people throughout the world. Do not eliminate your desires."
      • (II Kondo, Fujimori 54)
  • 400. 金光とは、金光るということである。金は金乃神の金、光は天つ日の光である。天つ日の光があれば明るい。世界中に天地金乃神の光を光らせて、おかげを受けさせるということである。
    • “Konko [金光]” means ‘golden light shines’. The “kon [金]” comes from the “kane [金]” in Kane No Kami [金乃神]. The “ko [光]” comes from “hikari [光]” meaning sunlight [天つ日の光]. Sunlight [天つ日の光] provides the world with light. Therefore it means that the entire world is being blessed by Tenchi Kane No Kami's light shining throughout the world.
      • (II Konko, Hagio 21)
  • With the completion of this sacred staff, I will end your farming career. Please understand. ...
    There are many people like yourself, who have sincere faith in kamis, but still have many problems. Help these people by performing toritsugi.
    This will help Kami and save people. Man exists because of Kami, and Kami exists because of man. Thus, Kami supports man as Kami's child, and man supports Kami as his parent. There will be eternal prosperity through aiyo kakeyo, mutual interdependency.
    • Rikkyo Shinden: The Divine Call to the Founder and His Family (Received on October 21, 1859 (Ansei 6))
  • 今般、天地乃神より生神金光大神差し向け、願う氏子におかげを授け、理解申して聞かせ、末々まで繁盛いたすこと、氏子ありての神、神ありての氏子、上下立つようにいたし候。
    • Tenchi Kane No Kami has sent Ikigami Konko Daijin to the people to give blessings and teachings and to have them prosper forever.
      Kami is Kami because of man, and man is man because of Kami. Both continue to uphold each other.
      • Goshinden: Message of Divine Will to the Founder (Received on October 10th, 1873 (Meiji 6))

Quotes about Konko Daijin

  • Konkō Kyō not only declares itself as monotheism but, at the same time, repudiates all ordinary superstitious beliefs and practices so widely prevalent among the nation at large, such as the selling and the wearing of charms and the use of exorcisms, divinations, and formal, repetitious prayers. Its founder, like Jesus of Nazareth, began life as a simple peasant and, like Jesus, Kawate Bunjirō eventually came to the conviction that the great Father of All Life had come to self-knowledge in himself. Chronologically Konkō Kyō is almost exactly coextensive with the history of Christianity in modern Japan. Its study affords material that is remarkably suggestive in making comparison with the progress of the Christian movement.
  • It was not until after he had founded his church that he began to call himself by the extraordinary title, "The Living God, The Great God Konkō." He declared that his "roots" were the same as those of God. Yet this remarkable manifestation of an expanded ego was united with the utmost humility. To the end of his life he preserved the character of a simple, self-abnegating farmer. There is no evidence that during his lifetime he ever invited or permitted worship on the part of his followers. Almost on his death-bed he declared with tears of gratitude and humility in his eyes that he could not cease to thank God that He had opened His truth to an ignorant man like himself. The followers of Konkō Daijin have described this dual consciousness as the union of complete man and complete God. It suggests the twofold nature ascribed to Jesus.

See also

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