26th-Year Memorial Service for Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi
Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi Gives A Message and Stresses that The Teaching of The Sundial Way of Life Is to Find A “Holy Place” in Our Daily Life
The 26th-Year Memorial Service for Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi was held on June 17 at the Taniguchi Family Monument in the Seicho-No-Ie Main Temple in Nagasaki Prefecture. Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie, addressed the 692 attendees.
Rev. Taniguchi started his address by referring to Mrs. Teruko Taniguchi’s essay, “Harikuyo” (memorial service for old needles), which he touched upon at Mrs. Teruko Taniguchi’s 23rd-Year Memorial Service in April. “Harikuyo” is an event to memorialize old needles to show gratitude rather than throw them away. Mrs. Taniguchi wrote that this kind of attitude about things is important. Rev. Taniguchi said that it was her warning for a modern-day Japan, which has such abundance of material things.
As for the meaning of the teaching, “matter is nonexistent,” Rev. Taniguchi noted that what appears to be material is a manifestation of the life of God and Buddha, which is behind them, as well as the thoughts of love of human beings, who are children born of God. He pointed out that we have lost the sense that we are reverently receiving those things. The recent earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident made us realize that land and houses can be lost. He said that it raises the question of what is important. The President made a point that this is the time to deeply ponder about which direction humanity should move in from now on.
The President next stated that the Sundial Way of Life is a practical way to apply the teaching, “matter is nonexistent,” in our daily life. He stressed that the content of this thinking is suited to become a standard not only for Japan but for the entire world.
Rev. Taniguchi referred to Shinko no Kagaku (Science of Faith, published by Nippon Kyobunsha Co., Ltd., currently out of stock) co-authored by Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi and Fenwicke Holmes, an American New Thought thinker, which he introduced at Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi’s 25th-Year Memorial Service last year. The President made a point that the book aptly and accurately teaches the Sundial Way of Life, although that term was not used.
Regarding the fact that some people call the Main Temple the “holy place,” the President emphasized that Seicho-No-Ie’s “holy place” exists in the True Image world and that it is not a certain region on earth. From Shinko no Kagaku, he introduced a section which teaches that one whose eye is not open may consider heaven to be an extraordinary place or thing very different from the ordinary, but one whose eye is open can find heaven everywhere.
After referring to the fact that Readers’ Meetings with focus on artistic and technical talent are being held as a means to find the holy place in our daily life, the President made a point that one may think that these meetings do not help people faced with trouble of illness or disharmony in the home but that the Sundial Way of Life, a study theme at these meetings, can help deal with those problems as well.
Rev. Taniguchi introduced a section from the Shinko no Kagaku, which says that if one can find heaven in a wild flower, it is quite natural to find heaven in one’s husband, wife and children. If we embrace the same kind of feeling when seeing our spouse or speaking to our children upon awaking in the morning, a happy family life will realize and the sick will be healed. He stressed that if this is spread to society, problems between nations can also be solved.
The President urged the attendees to promote the Sundial Way of Life and convey the thinking behind it to many people, saying that this way of life liberates one from spiritual hunger, such as a desire for a material thing or wish to travel to a distant place. Also, it will be reflected on our value judgment on society and things and will give birth to a new way of life. He cautioned that unless this happens, there is no future for humanity to grow together with nature. In concluding his message, the President urged further development of the Sundial Way of Life, which Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi taught.
The Memorial Service started at 10:00, with Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi presiding as the Chief Priest. After the purification rite, Invocation, offerings and the reading of the supplication, sacred branches were offered by Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie; and Mrs. Junko Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie White Dove Association. It was followed by the offering of a sacred branch by the Head Priest. Then, while the attendees read the Holy Sutra, Nectarean Shower of Holy Doctrines, sacred branches were offered by Rev. Kazutomi Otsuka, Chief of the Missionary Council; and Rev. Kazuo Isobe, Chairman and CEO of Seicho-No-Ie. The attendees burned incense and expressed their gratitude to Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi. The removing of the offerings and the Affirmation of Perfect Peace and Harmony followed. The Memorial Service came to an end with the President’s address.