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In the beginning of 1882 Oyasama frequently invoked the phrase "A sign for a sign." This expression meant that various events would occur one after another according to God the Parent's intention. This year saw police persecution and interference intensifying exponentially. Oyasama was summoned to Nara Police Station in February. In May, the two completed sections of the stone Kanrodai were confiscated by the police. This development caused Oyasama to alter the wording of the third song for the Kagura, changing the phrase "The Kanrodai which purifies all humankind equally" into "All humankind equally purified / The Kanrodai" to urge forward people's spiritual growth. Further, in October, the Service was performed each day between the 12th and 26th. Yet incidents that occurred in Osaka during this time such as the "Abiko Incident" and another where a missionary hotly argued with a police officer would invite more police suppression. In response to these incidents, Oyasama said: "Sah, over the mountains and across the seas, over the mountains and across the seas, over here and over there, the name of Tenri-O-no-Mikoto will resound. . . . [I]nside the Residence, the filth is unbearable, unbearable. God will clear it all away. . . . The Path will spread sufficiently in the Eight Directions." Relating to these words, the police came on the 27th to confiscate the mandala and other ritual implements that were associated with the Buddhist fellowship Shuji had established with the single desire to have Oyasama avoid the hardship of imprisonment. Further, on the 29th, Oyasama and several others were summoned and were detained in prison for twelve days. During Oyasama's imprisonment, someone threw a bag of tonic medicine in the steam bath that had been set up as an expedient to allow followers to gather at the Residence, causing the steam bath and accompanying inn to be closed. Through these successive events, God the Parent unmistakably cleared away the expedient means that were based on human thinking that sought to compromise with public sentiment and utilize worldly strength so the path could keep up superficial appearances. We are also told that, along with these events that represented God the Parent clearing away the "filth" inside the Residence, individuals who had accumulated dust were shown afflictions of the body one after another. God the Parent urged the sweeping of the mind along with the physical sweeping of the Residence, guiding followers to bring the Service, which prioritizes single-hearted devotion to God, into reality. And, just as Oyasama's words had anticipated, the faith of followers burned brighter and the path spread nationwide even in the midst of intensifying interference by the police. We are currently aiming for a new milestone on our quest for spiritual maturity. We cannot help but feel in this season that God the Parent is urging us forward with the various events we see happening in Tenrikyo, in the countries where we live, and in the world at large. Let us take the opportunity now to firmly perceive the parental love contained in these signs coinciding with signs and spiritedly dedicate ourselves even further for the purpose of single-hearted salvation. |
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