In a Divine Direction, God tells us:

The new path you are following exists only because there was the old path. The old path is the Parent, the new path is a child. Sah, sah, as time passes by, you get busy following the new path and forget the old path. Listen and understand well. Because there was the old path, the new path exists, I say.

Osashizu, October 9, 1889

The message embodied in this passage is as follows: "Only because the old path exists can we follow today's new path. The old path is the origin and the Parent. The new path is a child. Because the Parent exists, a child can exist. Because there is the original path of hardship and difficulty, today's new path can exist. The journeys of our predecessors and first-generation followers and, more importantly, the path of Oyasama's fifty-year Divine Model are the foundation. If you forget the origin, the new path will not lead anywhere."

Another Divine Direction says:

If you engage in things by receiving the truth of the Parent, you will never be in want nor will you ever suffer in whatever you do.

Osashizu, December 31, 1890

God the Parent, or Tsukihi (Moon-Sun), is the source and foundation of our life. Oyasama is Tsukihi on earth and our precious and irreplaceable Parent. Embraced by the true and original Parent and surrounded by the parental love that single-heartedly desires to save us, we are kept alive. By emulating this parental heart, we can receive Oyasama's guidance even when going through tremendous hardship and difficulty. We also read in a Divine Direction:

You cannot be said to be following the path if you forget the truth of the Parent.

Osashizu, June 24, 1895

As the previous article on "Spiritual Parents and Spiritual Children" outlines, whether in the context of the biological or spiritual parent-child relationships, those who are given the role of a parent and the task of nurturing children who follow in their parents' footsteps should take the initiative to seek and implement the Divine Model of Oyasama. At the same time, by taking Oyasama's mind as their own mind, they should devote themselves to reflecting the parental heart to the world--such is the way to receive the truth of the Parent.

Meanwhile, in several Divine Directions, God the Parent instructs those who are given the role of a child to uphold their parents and parents' intention and practice filial piety. We read in effect: "Because your parents exist, you can exist. Because of the journey taken by your parents, you children can live your lives now. It is of paramount importance, therefore, for you to thoroughly uphold your parents. Some of you may say that your parents are dull and slow. Yet, no matter how dull and slow they may seem to you, they are your parents who gave birth to you children. It is natural to become slow as they become older. Parents are still very important. It is vital to uphold your parents" (Osashizu, October 14, 1889). Furthermore, several Divine Directions say:

If you receive the truth of the Parent in all matters, the same clear skies are there at all times, I tell you.

Osashizu, October 24, 1895

Bringing joy to your parent accords with the truth of God. Without the truth of God, the path will not lead anywhere.

Osashizu, February 21, 1899