The phrase "ichiryu manbai" is a Japanese expression litereally meaning that a single seed can eventually produce ten thousand seeds. It is often used figuratively to describe how the smallest of beginnings can lead to the greatest of results. It also implies that the smallest of things is not necessarily to be dismissed.

The occurrences of this term in the Divine Directions include the following:

In response to the mind of true sincerity, I shall bestow the truth of good ten thousandfold.

Osashizu, 1888, supp. vol.

Listen to and understand the truth of "ten thousandfold." Everything comes from a seed. If you set about while relying on the truth of heaven, there will be nothing frightening or dangerous.

Osashizu, June 29, 1890

In the Anecdotes of Oyasama, we find Oyasama taking a grain of unhulled rice in Her hand and telling Izo Iburi:

The same is true with a human being. You sow a grain of sincerity, and it multiplies to two or three hundred grains in a year, ten thousand in the second year. Ten thousandfold, as we call it. It will be enough for sowing all over the province of Yamato in the third year.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, no. 30

Izo implemented Oyasama's teaching by serving as Her right-hand man for ten years starting in 1864, a period when there was hardly any other follower serving Her. Eventually, he became the Honseki. It is important to follow the path with such sincerity, which will then lead to happiness and delight (Osashizu, October 10, 1896; September 18 [two entries], 1903).

The Anecdotes of Oyasama describes Oyasama as giving similar instructions to Chushichi Yamanaka (no. 15) and Rin Masui (no. 65). In that book, the term "ten thousandfold" is also used in reference to the way the Divine Model unfolds (no. 4).

This term emphasizes the importance of sowing seeds of sincerity--that is, maintaining true sincerity in the course of daily life--and the delight that awaits one who does so. This passage from a Divine Direction is also worth quoting:

If you do the one thing with delight, it will become a truth I will return even ten thousandfold.

Osashizu, September 18, 1903