THE DIVINE CALL

Seeing the continuous blessings Bunji was receiving, people with various problems, who were wanting to receive blessings in the same way, began coming to him for advice and guidance. At the Worship Hall (the little space he made in front of the Altar in his house) Bunji would simply convey the words of Kami as he received them, and he taught people the benevolence of Kami. This Mediation between Kami and the people came to be called Toritsugi (Mediation). By word of mouth, more and more people heard about "Bunji's Kami" who helped people. Troubled people came to visit Bunji even while he was working in the fields; they wanted to hear Kami's teachings through him. As the number of visitors grew, it became increasingly difficult for Bunji to concentrate on farming. Gradually, Bunji came to leave most of the farm work to his family. Finally on November 15, 1859, Bunji received a request (now referred to as "the Divine Call") from Kami:

[Bunji constructed a staff following the specifications given to him by Kami:]...with the completion of this sacred staff, I will end your farming career. Please understand. When you are out farming, the person at home has to go out and call you whenever someone comes to give a request. And after you relay the request, you have to go back out again. You have to keep going in and out of the field. This gives you little time for farming, and the worshipper must also wait for you. Both you and the worshipper are being inconvenienced. Won't you stop farming? When you were gravely ill at forty-two, the doctor gave up hope. Everyone worried about you. You prayed to the kamis and buddhas and were blessed with complete recovery. Regard this event as your death. Dispel all desires and assist Tenchi Kane No Kami. Also, your wife should consider herself a widow. This is better than being a real widow, as she can still talk to you and discuss matters. She should take the children with her [to the fields] to do the farm work. 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 children, and man supports Kami as his parent. There will be eternal prosperity through aiyo kakeyo [Interdependence]. (Memoirs: 9:3.1-7)

This divine request was difficult for Bunji to comply with for several reasons. First, as an adopted successor of a family, it would be regarded as neglect of his obligation. Second, it would be an infraction of the established norm that people belong to a fixed social class. And finally, Bunji had to consider the economic welfare of his family. However, because this request by Kami far outweighed such problems, Bunji replied, "I shall end my present occupation as requested and serve at the Worship Hall." From that day on, Bunji had his wife and children gradually take over the farm work. Bunji stayed in the Worship Hall of his house to receive visitors who sought relief from their troubles.

Next Page:  The Divine Reminder