On September 13, approximately 90 people participated in the 33rd Meeting on Tenrikyo and Medical Care, which was held at the Osaka Diocese Administration Office in Tennoji, Osaka, under the auspices of Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital and Osaka Diocese. This meeting, originally started in 1981, is held once or twice a year with the assistance of medical practitioners from Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital. This time, Ms. Naoko Kusaba, head nurse of the Maternity Ward in Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital, delivered a lecture on "Childbirth and the Grant of Safe Childbirth," subtitled "Parental Love Seen in the Grant of Safe Childbirth." Perhaps because the theme of the lecture was childbirth, the majority of the participants turned out to be women--some were in fact expectant mothers--who listened to it enthusiastically.

Ms. Kusaba, who has handled about ten thousand deliveries in Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital over the past fifteen years, shared her firsthand perspective based on her experiences. Quoting a passage from the Divine Directions, the head nurse said that, when going through pregnancy and childbirth, we should first of all consider the truth of a "thing lent, a thing borrowed." She continued that, regardless of whether we have a natural or Caesarean birth, we should joyfully accept the fact that our babies have only been able to grow in their mother's wombs because of the providence of God the Parent.

Focusing on the intention of God the Parent embodied in the Grant of Safe Childbirth and providing scriptural support from the Ofudesaki and the Divine Directions, she stressed that the Grant of Safe Childbirth is more than just an amulet for easy delivery. She emphasized that the bestowal of the Grant of Safe Childbirth is based on the fact that the Jiba is the place of original conception. She told the audience that the right attitude of mind toward the Grant of Safe Childbirth, which is nothing less than a manifestation of God's parental love to save us, is to extend our gratitude. Then, she stated that it is important to trust wholly in the providence of God the Parent; in any circumstances, we are to express our gratitude for the providence of God the Parent and live our lives with joyous acceptance.