What is greed?

Posted on June 1, 2014 by heaventruth

Let us look at greed. Religions have always advised us against greed. But what is greed? Is it wrong to work hard, and enjoy the benefits of this labor? Is it wrong to have millions in our investments? There is a saying that it is more difficult for the rich to gain salvation, but can this be true? Does God look down on the rich and the powerful?

Webster’s definition of greed is a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (as money) than is needed. But what is more than needed and are we not all selfish to a degree? Should we not all be like the squirrel that gathers the nuts to prepare for the winter? What harm will it be to collect more nuts for the unpredictable winter, as long as it does not adversely affect others?

What is wrong with the individual that has millions of dollars? He contributes to society by spending, and redistributing his wealth, making the economy grow. His investments, luxury cars, houses, and businesses are positive pluses to the economy. Yes, he often even donates to the churches.

To me, greed is a selfish desire for more of something without regards to what may happen to others as a result of these selfish actions. These include the people who deliberately devise ways to illegally steal from others. There are a few in society that attempt to gain wealth by not working hard, but by trying to steal from others. Money obtained at the suffering of others is greed. Individuals, or businesses that take advantage of others to make a profit are greedy. There are also others that take advantage of their position, and work the minimum; this is also greed. This may be the problem that the Veteran’s hospitals are having now.

Wealth and power have no direct relationship to greed. The poor, the middle class, and the rich are all guilty of greed. Greed is only in the mind of the beholder.

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We see, yet we do not see

Posted on May 28, 2014 by heaventruth

Look at how causality is working in the world, and you will see the journey taken before. January 30, 1892 Instructions (Osashizu)

Looking at the world today, we see joy and suffering. Is there a path to joy? Is there a path to suffering? Can evil thoughts and actions lead to one’s suffering; can good thoughts and actions result in joy and happiness? What prevents us from seeing this relationship? It is time.

Let me give you an analogy. If we find a seed, we do not know what fruit it will bare unless we plant it and wait. Sometime this process takes a long time. It is time that obscures this relationship between the seed and it’s fruit. Time may not be relative to God who created the earth millions of years ago; but to us it may place a barrier to what is an obvious relationship. This time may span many life times, before the seed bares the fruit. We see, yet we do not see. We see suffering and joy, yet we do not understand their origin.

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Does your Religion have an answer?

Posted on May 27, 2014 by heaventruth

Many people wonder why the promised time has not come.  Why are our prayers not answered? From the earliest times, prophets and messengers have preached about the elimination of evil from our minds. These evils are said to be greed, arrogance, and self-love. But why must we eliminate them from our minds? Most religions give no explanation why their removal is important. But many religions have attached rituals and ceremonies to attract more converts. Eventually the elimination of evils becomes secondary to the customs and rituals that supplemented them.

In a time of technical and medical advancement, it is surprising that the religions still attaches itself to the customs and rituals of the past. When it comes to religion, reasoning and understand become secondary. Faith based on the past over powers reasoning. Why did the early prophets and messengers place so much emphasis on the elimination of evil from our minds? What effect do these evils have on us, and how do we remove them? Does your religion have an answer?

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We all have sinned.

Posted on May 26, 2014 by heaventruth

We hear of tragedies everyday, where innocent people are hurt or killed for no apparent reason. For some they may wonder if God exists, or if God cares. The religious would say that we should not question God’s will, and the victims will be blessed in the after life. But for many, will this explanation be enough to console their grief?

It is said that God is concerned about our soul, and that physical material, including our bodies is secondary. To save the soul, or to have us gain salvation is the ultimate goal of God. Our material possession, including our bodies is only borrowed from God, while our souls (hearts) are ours. It is said that a soul lives forever existing in heaven or earth, or both depending on what religion one follows. For God, the physical demise of a body, may not appear as tragic as it is to us. To save the soul is the primary concern.

Let’s get to what we do not want to hear. We all suffer because we all have sinned. If we believe in the Bible, the taste of the forbidden fruit initiated God’s wrath. If we believe in causality, we cause our own sufferings as a result of greed, arrogance, and self-love in our minds. We reap what we sow. The following is from the Osashizu (Information):

God does not discriminate, does not play favorites. Listen carefully and understand. The people who understand me, and those that do not are regulated by the truth of causality. I have told you that human bodies are things lent, things borrowed. I have all sorts of things reflected in the world. Every thought is reflected back to the world. The world is a mirror. With each of you, everything is reflected on the body according to your own state of mind. As for what becomes of things from you previous lives, I also have told you that I have everything reflected on your body. February 4, 1889.

The original causality of the Origin was that God created all mankind to live the joyous life. If we believe this, we may be comforted that our sufferings of our loved ones are only temporary. The world is a mirror of our minds. If we do not like what we see, we must purify our minds. When all mankind is purified, we all will live joyously with everyone helping each other.

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Summary of the Tip of the Writing Brush

Posted on May 25, 2014 by heaventruth

Most religious books are difficult to summarize due to their length, translation and interpretation that is required. Sometimes the purpose and meaning of these sacred books get lost due to these conditions. The following is my interpretation of the Tip of the Writing Brush (Ofudesaki), which is comprised of over 1,000 verses.

SUMMARY OF THE TIP OF THE WRITING BRUSH

God created mankind to live a joyous life.

The reason God began human beings     XIV-25

was the desire to see you lead a joyous life.

God announced this truth at a preordained time (1838) and place (where first humans were created), and communicated thru the parent of mankind (foundress) by the 1711 verses of Tip of the Writing Brush (Ofudesaki).

Whatever I may say or write by the tip of my brush,  VI-68

it is none other than directions from the mind of God.

Looking all over the world and through all ages,    I-1

I find no one who has understood my heart.

Good thoughts and action causes joy, and evil (greed, arrogance, and self love) thoughts and actions causes sufferings in the future. This is the law of “Cause and Effect”.

These paths of the mistaken mind (evil) cause suffering and create an unhappy world. These paths are called dusts.

These paths are miserliness, covetousness, self-love,  

greed and arrogance. They are the dusts. 3-96

Note: some believe that anger, hate, and grudge bearing are also included in the mistaken mind and are included in other records but are not mentioned in the verses of the Tip of the Writing Brush.

Instead of the Joyous world, God saw suffering caused by our selfish actions (law of Causality)

Until now, no matter what path you may have been on,   

I kept still because the day had not yet come. 6-24

To God, everyone is a child of mine.     

I am filled with love for you. 8-60

But the innermost heart of everyone of you    

is covered with piles of dust.8-61

Though until now God has never come out into the open    

no matter what occurred. 8-66

Until now, as the day has not yet come,     

I have been keeping still on whatever matters. 15-44

There can be no help for what you have done self-centeredly.    

I can only look on caringly.16-32

Whatever may happen, bear no grudge,    

it is what each of you has done to yourself.17-60

As God saw the suffering of mankind due to the paths of the mistaken mind, God wanted to help us realize the relationship between cause and effect.

To sweep (purify) so many minds would be difficult. God decided that the best way to sweep these dusts is by shortening the time lapse between cause and effect, showing people the relationship between the two. This is by placing disease or illness on the body. This is God’s guidance and blessings

This time, I shall make your future known in this life time.   

Look at the disorder of the body. 5-2

This time, bodily disorders will appear here and there.    

Know that it is the care being given by God. 8-81

But as always there is no coercion from God. God asks permission to carry out these plans.

Therefore, God granted us a special prayer, a prayer requesting God to shorten the time lapse between cause and effect. This will cause us to ponder the effect, and sweep away our evils (greed, arrogance, and self love) from our hearts.

Little by little, I will teach the service (prayer). This preparation for salvation     

I will sweep clean everyone’s inner most hearts. 7-95

This path I will teach quickly. By this Service,    

all minds will be purified. 7-99

This dust is difficult to sweep away.     

But if you only begin the Service (prayer). 13-22

If only your minds (prayers) are truly accepted by God,    

I shall sweep away any dust whatever. 13-23

With the sweeping of our dusts (evil), suffering will disappear.

If only the mind is purified completely,    

there will be nothing but delight in everything. 14-50

This prayer to God is directed toward the site of the original creation of mankind (mind was pure).

With our prayer, we are asking God to shorten the time lapse between cause and effect. With the acceptance of our sincere prayer, God enters us and distinguishes our minds. God places disorders and illness that are appropriate to how we are using our minds today. God is making us realize the relationship between our thoughts and our future.  With God’s guidance, we have a choice to ponder and sweep away the evils (greed, arrogance, and self love) that cause future sufferings.

This time, I shall make your future known in this lifetime.

Look at the disorder of the body. 5-2

This time, bodily disorders will appear here and there.

Know that it is the care being given by God. 8-81

Whatever is done is done by God.

Whatever happens, know that it is not an illness. 14-20

To explain how this regret will be cleared away.

Solely by the Service (prayer), everything will be revealed. 15-85

But without understanding what is occurring, one cannot comprehend God’s intentions. We who have faith must tell people how God will guide us.

This is a world constructed on reason.    

So I shall press upon you everything with the reason in verse. 1-21

This talk requires only your understanding.    

With understand will come tested proof (God’s blessings).3-14

As God desires to inform you quickly,    

you must understand whatever occurs. 3-29

Though I have gathered many and varied trees (followers),   

those that cannot understand reasoning (distorted mirror) will not do. 3-50

Though I wish to have you know this path quickly.

It is difficult because there is no understanding. 4-46

There is no error in my free and unlimited workings (God’s blessing).

But there must be understanding in everyone’s mind. 6-14

If only your minds quickly become open to understanding,    

I shall show you the proof at once.  12-110

Whoever you may be, when this is seen    

the cleansing of the heart will be truly accomplished of itself. 12-172

I shall not repeat what I have said until now.    

From now on, you only need to have understanding.17-71

Today, you must explain my talks to others

in detail step by step. The time has at last come. 14-65

There will be no understanding about anything   

unless you tell them. Tell them everything, all in detail. 14-66

Perhaps you do not know what this talk is about.   

Tell them all about the workings of God. 14-67

Perhaps you do not know what my workings are.    

I shall make all minds in the world be revealed (disorder to the body or blessings). 14-68

This talk, I do not indicate anyone or place.    

I shall give notices through bodily disorders. 16-40

With understanding, God gives guidance. God shortens the time lapse between cause and effect.

I shall make everything in the mind of each of you    

clearly manifest on your body. 12-171

Whoever you may be, when this is seen    

the cleansing of the heart will be truly accomplished of itself.12-172

God does not force guidance on anyone. If Gods workings (blessings) are not understood or ignored, God withdraws from the individual; and lets the paths of the mistaken mind continue.

I do not force you to come along if you do not wish to,   

but if you should, you will be good forever. 3-6

If you erase the words of God,    

I shall withdraw at once. Beware! 13-14

As God persuades you to such a degree,      

if your mind is in error, I shall withdraw at once.13-70

The prayer for salvation besides bringing us blessings brings other people into our lives who are seeking answers to their fate.

Throughout the world, this sweeping of the innermost hearts,    

God is the broom. Watch carefully . 3-52

The present path is covered with dust.    

Pray to God (Take a broom (God) and do the sweeping). 3-145

The path thereafter will be broad and clear.    

Take along with you as many others as you wish. 3-146

As these people come into our lives with disorders or illnesses (effect), God grants us the prayer to heal people (osazuke) as a way to inform and introduce people to this path that will lead to a joyous world.

These people, who are brought into this broad path by their recent disorders (effect), ponder and sweep evils from their hearts. They then lean on God and pray for world salvation. God accepts their sincere prayer, heals them and brings more people onto this path leading to a joyous world. With this cycle, eventually the whole world is praying for world salvation.

With the purification of all mankind, God promises us the Central Pillar. The establishment of the Central Pillar will bring forth great blessings to the world (the joyous life).

As proof of my beginning of human beings,

I shall put the Central Pillar into place.17-9

If only this Pillar comes to completion,

there will be nothing that cannot be realized. 17-10

Until then, the hearts of everyone throughout the world    

must be swept clean.17-11

The Central Pillar symbolizes the proof of the origin of mankind. This concrete structure is constructed on the site of the original beginning of mankind. This site is where our prayers are directed toward, and reflected toward God. With the completion of the Pillar, God promises us a joyous world of great blessings.

If only this (Pillar) is completed,   

there will be no failure in the monthly service prayer. 10-33

If there are no failures in the service prayer,     

the gift of heaven also will be given without failure. (Joyous life). 10-34

 

In summary, all mankind will eventually live a joyous life, with everyone helping each other. God guarantees this by the original causality, God created mankind to live a joyous life.

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History Repeats Itself

Posted on May 25, 2014 by heaventruth

History repeats itself is often quoted by historians. But why does history repeat itself, if we know the consequences of past actions? Let us take examples of a fictional character John Smith who is serving time in a county jail. He has a history of imprisonments since his teenage years. Besides father time, drugs and alcohol have taken its toll on his body; but he continues on a path of crime. He eventually loses his life, shanked by his prison companion. What makes a human being go against the odds? I believe it is the same with everyone. We succumb to the evils in our minds. That is why history always appears to repeat itself.

But evil is not the devil or Satan, which some religions believe are the origins of our poor behavior. Evil refers to the dusts of greed, arrogance, and self-love that are generated by our selfish minds. Often times, we see the consequences of past actions and thoughts, yet we continue to take the same path that leads to suffering. It is the evils that prevent the mind to see the clear path.

For some, the removal of these evils will be of herculean task, since these evils may be imbued in their hearts. We need God’s help. We have a prayer asking God to remove these evils from the minds of mankind. It is said that when all mankind is purified from the heart, the world will see true joy.

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Laughter as the secret of happiness

Posted on May 25, 2014 by heaventruth

heaventruth's avatarOFUDESAKI-GOD'S TEACHINGS

Laughter may be the secret to happiness. I remember my dad when he would laugh and smile when he disagreed with me. Maybe it was an attempt to suppress his anger and disappointment. The act of laughter appears to cleanse the mind, if only for the duration of this act. For that moment, greed, arrogance, and self-love disappear. When we laugh, we lose our identity; we become part of the world. The mind is said to be in joyful play when we laugh. The purity of our innermost hearts is revealed during this process. Physiologically, laughter reduces our stress, our blood pressure, and makes us healthier. It helps our bodies defend against disease, and infections.

If we could all continue to laugh all throughout the day, the world would be a better place to live. But laughing all day will be unrealistic. But what can we do that may be…

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Laughter as the secret of happiness

Posted on May 24, 2014 by heaventruth

Laughter may be the secret to happiness. I remember my dad when he would laugh and smile when he disagreed with me. Maybe it was an attempt to suppress his anger and disappointment. The act of laughter appears to cleanse the mind, if only for the duration of this act. For that moment, greed, arrogance, and self-love disappear. When we laugh, we lose our identity; we become part of the world. The mind is said to be in joyful play when we laugh. The purity of our innermost hearts is revealed during this process. Physiologically, laughter reduces our stress, our blood pressure, and makes us healthier. It helps our bodies defend against disease, and infections.

If we could all continue to laugh all throughout the day, the world would be a better place to live. But laughing all day will be unrealistic. But what can we do that may be similar to laughter. We must consciously eliminate evil from our minds. These are the same evils that become dormant and ineffective when we laugh. These evils are the human dusts of greed, arrogance, and self love that become ingrained in our hearts. For many of us, it will be a difficult task to remove these evils from our minds; but like laughter, this process may become contagious once God begins to help us sweep these evils away.

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Sunny and Cloudy Days

Posted on May 22, 2014 by heaventruth

What do we all seek as human beings, but yet have no idea of how to obtain or preserve it? It is the feeling of being spirited, where it feels good to be alive. In the Osashizu, there is the following:

On your long journey, you have sunny days and cloudy days, rainy days and windy days. You have all sorts of days. From this, understand. If you try to settle things by allowing the mind to have spaciousness and openness, then things will settle. January 14, 1895

Sunny days are when the mind is spirited, and the other days are when the mind is depressed. But how do we obtain this spirited mind? Some seek it by ways of wealth, power, religion, education, and even drug and alcohol. But even if it is partially obtained by these material possessions, there is no lasting effect and depression often returns.

I believe that when expand our minds to think about others, our minds will become spirited. I remember a religious person asking me what the difference between heaven and hell was. He said that there was not much of a difference. In both, there was plenty of food and a giant fork. In hell, everyone was emaciated and unhappy because they were having a difficult time feeding themselves with the giant fork. But in heaven, everyone was happy and healthy because they were feeding each other with the giant fork. This is only a story, but it brings the lesson across that helping each other brings upon the feeling of spiritedness.

When depression occurs, sometimes drugs and material possessions may help you mask these moods; but for a lasting solution, begin to help others, and look beyond yourself or your immediate family and friends. Let your mind have spaciousness and openness. The world is our family.

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The Original Causality

Posted on May 22, 2014 by heaventruth

In many religions, there is a catastrophic ending to the world (Armageddon), but in the Heaven’s Truth Church, there is a guarantee of joy to the world. We believe that in the beginning, God saw the universe that he had created, but was not spirited. He created mankind to live a joyous life, so he can share this joy with us.

The reason God began human beings was the desire to see you lead a joyous life. 14-25

This is considered the original causality, which has not been fulfilled due to the evils in the hearts of mankind. It is said that when the hearts of all mankind is purified, the original causality will be fulfilled. There will be joy in the world with everyone helping each other.

This is why God continues to help the world try to understand causality. Understanding this simple law will eventually help the world purify their minds of greed, arrogance, and self love. What goes around, comes around is as simple as it gets in trying to explain causality. We reap what we sow.

The world appears to be far from this joyous world, but the original causality promises us this joyous world for all mankind. We pray that God helps the world realize causality, so that we can all be spirited one day sooner. When all mankind is spirited, God will be spirited; thus fulfilling the original causality.

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