Konko Church of San Jose

11/24/2021

Article by Mr. Bruno Lucarelli, Konko Review 12/2021 2021 Young Adult Seminar: "During this summer's KCNA conference, I was given the opportunity to participate in the Young Adult Seminar. During this seminar, our primary theme was "pursue the life-changing benefits of mediation". I was able to meet young Konkokyo believers from all over the world, including one man from Brazil! It was wonderful to hear a wide variety of perspectives on Konkokyo practice, and more specifically, how people my age face similar challenges with otoritsugi (mediation).

One common pattern I noticed was that the participants were hesitant to ask for mediation because they thought it was a burden on others (myself included). The senseis/mediators participating in the discussion understood our concerns, and helped us understand that thinking of mediation as a burden on the mediator is a one-sided view. They stated that a mediator chooses to walk their path because they have a strong desire to help people in this way, and that this is the primary responsibility of that role. Ideally, this means we can work towards a mutually-beneficial relationship between ourselves and our mediator, espousing the concept of aiyokakeiyo (Mutual Interdependence).

This idea has changed my practice of Konkokyo greatly. I am deeply thankful for those who participated, and have been more frequently receiving mediation from my minister. It's helpful to establish these relationships both in good times and in tough times: these are part of a continuous timeline that makes us who we are, and we can become better people throughout by asking others to help."

04/22/2021

His son the 6th Konko Sama Rev. HIromichi Konko’s first day as the Principal Mediator on March 27th View video: http://web-konkokyo.info/data/m1616749803 Byron Ishiwata

04/22/2021

The 5th Konko Sama Rev. Heiki Konko’s last day as the Principal Mediator after serving for 30 years on March 26, 2021. View Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V00yThHns24 Byron Ishiwata

02/15/2021

09/09/2020

Please include the "Prayer for Peace" in your daily prayers and/or pray together with the KCNA, your church and other believers to end this pandemic. KONKO REVIEW Vol 46, 2

07/18/2020

South SF Konko service July 19 @ 11 am PT: tiny.cc/konkojuly
Greetings Everyone,
We hope you are doing well and staying healthy. We are looking forward to seeing you on Zoom this coming Sunday, July 19, 2020. The Zoom spiritual center service starts at 11:00am. The calligraphy class starts at 12:35pm. You are welcomed to join us for service and or sign in at 12:35 and join us for calligraphy class. Sending you 10,000 arigato gozaimasu. Warmest, Sensei Kawahatsu and Alice K.

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Meeting ID: 814 325 7586
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06/21/2020

As our ancestral spirits continue to protect and guide us in our lives, they become our foundation. Our Founder said, “Place fertilizer at the roots of a tree, then its branches will grow lush. Respect our ancestors and parents, then you will prosper” (GII:Takahashi Tomie, 33). A tree is dependent upon its roots to grow, and its roots are dependent upon the leaves and branches for nutrients from the sun. Here again, Interdependence is evident. Though spirits cannot be seen, we must acknowledge that they are there, like roots hidden by soil. We must strengthen them so that all of us may prosper as one.

05/16/2020

Source: http://www.konkofaith.org/what-is-konko/decom6/kami-people/

We believe that Kami is the universe – the spirit and energy that flows through galaxies, planets, air, earth, and life.

Our goal is for each of us to open our human-centered hearts so that we become as broad and accepting as Kami’s heart -for the whole world to become one with Kami. By reforming our hearts through Kami’s guidance, we can learn to change sufferings and hardships into blessings. We will improve our lives and the lives of those around us.

Keeping Kami in our hearts at all times brings us closer to Kami. Our Founder,Konko Daijin, in his practice of faith, broadened his heart and became one with Kami. The wisdom, a deep understanding of life, and the inner strength and warmth he gained which he shared with others gave him the title of Ikigami (Living Kami).

The process of our human hearts developing into Kami’s heart and spirit is like a drop of water entering the ocean. Upon entering the ocean, the drop of water takes on the properties of the ocean and becomes ocean water. The single drop of water gains the vastness of the ocean. Konko Daijin taught us that each one of us is capable of becoming a living kami. By accepting the guidance Kami has provided for us and practicing to develop a heart that embraces everything and everyone unconditionally, we will realize the infinite love and blessings that shine upon us. With this realization, our faith will begin to reflect in our actions,and we will begin to live each day with a radiance and joy only inner happiness can bring.

An individual side of a diamond is beautiful when polished, but the true beauty is found when the individual surfaces are combined and reflect light off of each other. While we are here to live, love and grow, we are given the privilege, the gift, of helping others. In the process of finding peace within ourselves, we wish to share our faith with others, so that an end to struggle and the fulfillment of life will spread to those around us and throughout the world. Working in this way, we will come closer to fulfilling Kami’s wish for everyone to be saved, and then Kami will be fulfilled. The diamond, which represents the whole world, will begin to sparkle brilliantly, as each of us begins to shine and live together in harmony.