Sowing the seeds and planting the seeds are phrases used in agriculture, but they have also been used in religion as parables. In farming the seeds have to be planted in soil that has minerals and vitamins for the seeds to sprout. This is the first part in harvesting a crop. In religion, we are introducing God’s truth to the world. Like the seed in the enriched soil, we are surrounding people with God’s truth. This is the first part in bringing people to our churches. This spreading of the teachings can also be called hinokishin.

The second part in farming is to protect the sprouting plant (embryo) from weeds, and insects. Farmers often weed and use pesticides to protect the developing plant. In religion, we are told to weed our minds of greed arrogance, and self-love. When we attain this mindset, it is called true sincerity. It is also this mindset that will make the fertilizer that we will expound on next, effective in bringing in new members to our churches.

The third part of farming is to continue to provide nourishment to the plants. Farmers use fertilizer to reap a harvest of crops. In our religion God has given us a special prayer called the Joyous Service. When God accepts this sincere prayer, he will provide nourishment and guidance to people, and bring new members to our churches. God tells us to spread the Joyous Service.

So why have our churches not grown, and which part in our harvesting are we lacking?