THE DIVINE REMINDER

Throughout all of these years, Konko Daijin's Mediation continued to be hindered by numerous things: the Mountain Priests, rumors of being possessed by evil deities, and by the persecution resulting from the suspicions of a wavering government. However, his followers devotedly fought to legitimize his Faith, gaining and losing certification according to the rise and fall of the government's mood. He finally received official recognition as a Shinto Priest in April 1867. However, the fall of the Tokugawa government and the rise of the Meiji government in 1868 revoked all such licenses. In efforts to gain stability and power, the new Meiji government's restrictions became more strict with each passing year.

For Konko Daijin's followers, the struggle to gain official recognition by the government was to start all over again. Although the government, at first, offered certification for any leaders in society who would comply with their terms, Konko Daijin refused, because complying meant that he would have to preach "national patriotism." Konko Daijin would not compromise Kami's Faith in this way. In 1872 during the middle of these difficulties, Kami revealed to Konko Daijin,

"How and what things will change are unknown. However, they can be for the better depending on one's heart" (Memoirs: 20:14,2).

In 1873, the Meiji government, pressing to become "civilized" in the Western tradition, created the Ministry of Education, which discouraged practices based on superstitious beliefs, and passed a law which said, "All exorcists, fortune tellers, necromancists and spiritualists lead others astray. Henceforth, such people are strictly forbidden to practice." Although Konko Daijin did not adhere to superstitious beliefs, as a spiritualist, Konko Daijin was soon ordered to take down the Altar in his Worship Hall, and was no longer allowed to teach his followers. Thus his followers could no longer seek his guidance. Regarding this matter, Kami revealed,

"Your family is not to forget about Kami. Whatever happens, do not depend on others. For the good times as well as the bad, rely on Kami. Do not worry. The world keeps changing, so wait patiently for five years" (Memoirs: 21:1.3-4).

Retreating from the Worship Hall and the public into the back rooms of his house, Konko Daijin meditated alone. This was to be the most significant trial in his spiritual development. With the role of a Mediator taken away, banned from offering prayers to the Altar, and having even the Altar itself taken away, Konko Daijin reflected within himself and on Kami ever more deeply. Then on April 11, 1873, Kami revealed,

Through Ikigami Konko Daijin, to Tenchi Kane No Kami, pray with a single heart.
The divine favor depends upon one's own heart. On this day pray. (Revelations: 17:11)

Kami instructed these words to be written down. Konko Daijin called this "the Reminder of Heaven and Earth." This Divine Reminder conceptualized the essence of the Konko Faith, reminding us that whether we receive blessings or not, whether we live happy fulfilling lives or not, depends on how we direct our hearts and attitudes. Shortly after this, the government eased its restrictions, and Konko Daijin resumed his Mediation at the Worship Hall.