Tag Archives: precognition

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 175

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama,

175. Seventeen Children (jūshichi-nin no kodomo)

One day in 1885, Oyasama joyously told the people who were with Her:

“Seventeen children will come home from Awa tomorrow.”

However, not only did the seventeen not return, but no one at all came on that day, nor the next day, nor even on the following day. People grew tired of waiting and forgot Oyasama’s words.

About sixteen or seventeen days later, seventeen persons arrived from Awa. People were surprised, as the number of persons who returned was exactly the same as Oyasama had mentioned. According to what they said, they had planned to sail off the very day that Oyasama had spoken Her words. However, the weather was bad, and after repeated attempts to set sail, they returned to Jiba some sixteen or seventeen days behind schedule. When Unosuke Tosa and his group heard about Oyasama’s words, they were astonished and deeply moved.

When they were granted an audience with Oyasama, She was very pleased to see them, and said:

“At the present, Awa Province seems a faraway place. There will come a day when you will be able to return here in one night while you are asleep if you wish to do so.”

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 140–141

Continue reading Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 175 →

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 162

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama,

162. In Her Children’s Stead (Oya ga kawari ni)

Oyasama usually did not leave the Residence, so it was not likely that Her legs would get tired. But Oyasama now and then said:

“My legs feel heavy.”

Or:

“My legs are tired.”

On such days, without fail, followers returned to Jiba in good spirits. And all of them would say with joy, “We are so blessed that we do not feel tired at all after the long walk up here.” They did not feel tired because Oyasama had taken their fatigue from them and suffered their weariness for them. This She did because of Her love for Her children returning to the Residence, the place of single-hearted devotion to God.

Once, Iye Murata helped to farm the fields of the Residence for several days. Hard though she worked, to her surprise, she did not feel pain in her hands or lower back nor did she feel tired at all. She then told Oyasama, “I am not feeling tired although I have worked hard and long.” Oyasama said:

“Indeed not. But my own legs felt heavy every day while you worked in the fields. Your fatigue had all come to Me.”

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 130–131

Continue reading Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 162 →

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 119

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama,

119. Children Returning from Afar (Japanese title: Enpō kara kodomo ga)

One day in April or May 1883, a follower came to offer rice cakes. When an attendant presented them before Oyasama, She said:

“Today some children are returning from afar, so leave some rice cakes for them.”

Those who were there followed Her directions but were in suspense, wondering who would be returning. Then that same evening, Takai, Miyamori, Izutsu, and Tachibana, who had been in Enshu doing missionary work, returned. Moreover, the four said that they had arrived at Igaueno at about lunch time and had thought of taking lunch there, but because they wanted to reach Jiba as early as possible, they had gone without lunch. Not only were their legs tired but they were very hungry indeed. Feeling the warmth of Oyasama’s parental love even in the rice cakes which they ate, they shed tears of gratitude.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 98

Continue reading Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 119 →

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 93

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama, , , ,

93. Eight Cho* Square

One day Oyasama was gazing out of the south window of Her room in the Nakaminami-Gatehouse and looking at the vast expanse of bamboo thickets and rice fields. Suddenly She said to the attendants:

“Someday this neighborhood will be filled with houses. Houses will line the street for seven ri** between Nara and Hase. One ri square will be filled with inns. The divine Residence will become eight cho square.”

 

* Eight cho equals 872 meters.

** One ri equals about four kilometers.

 

Note: It is taught in the Osashizu:

“It will not do to think of small things. You do not understand that when the years accumulate step by step, this place will become eight cho square.”

November 17, 1894

“I have said, ‘It is necessary to go through many years, many years.’ I said, ‘One ri square must become inns.’ I also said, ‘One ri square is still too narrow.'”

Timely Direction: February 6, 1893.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 78–79.

Continue reading Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 93 →

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 62

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama, , , , , , ,

62. East from Here

In December 1878, Togoro, father of Toshiro Yamamoto of Kasa Village in Yamato, came down with a serious eye disease. The father’s condition gradually grew more serious and became beyond the doctor’s help. Even incantations proved to be ineffective. Toshiro, having no other course opened to him, was in a state of deep despair when he heard from his friend, “In Shoyashiki there is a god who saves man from illness.” Toshiro’s only thought was to have his father get well at any cost. Because of weakness from the long illness and the eye disease, it was difficult for his father to walk. Therefore, Toshiro carried him on his back and walked about twelve kilometers of mountainous road. Thus he returned to Jiba for the first time.

They were received by Oyasama, who spoke these words:

“Welcome home ! Soon he will be saved. Out of respect for your devotion to your father, he will be saved.”

They lodged at the house called Inada in Shoyashiki Village and stayed at Jiba for a little over a month. During that time they worshiped day and night and listened to the teachings taught by the intermediaries. The father, even with such a serious illness, received the divine providence and began to recover slowly but steadily each day, and finally recovered completely.

In the summer of 1880, Toshiro’s wife, Shyu, was cured of a stomach ailment and then Kozaburo, his second son, from convulsions; Toshiro continued to follow the faith more fervently.

Also, one autumn when he returned to pray for the salvation of a sick person to whom he had taught the teachings for the first time, Oyasama said:

“Yamamoto from Kasa, how faithfully you always come to worship! About the illness there is no need to worry.”

Upon receiving these words of Oyasama he returned home and found that the sick person already had been cured.

As he continued his devotion in this way, he came to know Chuzaburo Koda quite well. Koda, who admired Yamamoto’s steadfast faith, spoke about it to Oyasama. The words of Oyasama were:

“East from here, at the remote village of Kasa, there shall be worshipers from all directions. Go at once.”

Thereupon Koda went to Kasa Village with Chusaku Tsuji and conveyed these words of Oyasama to Yamamoto. Thus Yamamoto became all the more ardent in spreading the fragrance of the word of God and saving others.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 54–55

Continue reading Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 62 →

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 61

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama, , , , ,

61. Beneath the Corridor

This incident took place in 1878. When Tamizo Ueda, at the age of eighteen, returned to the Residence with his mother, Iso, Oyasama said:

“Tamizo, let’s, you and I, have a contest to see who is stronger.”

Oyasama went up on the north raised room and Tamizo stood below. With the shout of ‘one, two, three,’ they tightly gripped each other’s hands and began to pull. Tamizo pulled with all his might but Oyasama did not move even an inch. Tamizo marveled at Oyasama’s strength.

On another occasion, Oyasama spoke the following words when Tamizo came to visit Her:

“Tamizo, you are returning from Onishi now but in the future you will come together with Onaka to this Residence to live.”

Tamizo thought, “I am a farmer and I have children. It cannot be possible for me to do such a thing.” Later on, however, because of the illness of his child, he and his family were drawn to the Residence to live.

Also, on another occasion, Tamizo returned to the Residence with his mother, Iso. At that time Oyasama said:

“Tamizo, in this Residence in the future, many people will be walking back and forth beneath the corridor.”

It is said that in his late years, Tamizo was truly amazed by the fact that Oyasama’s words one after another became a reality.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 53–54

Continue reading Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 61 →

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 58

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama, , ,

58. Today from Kawachi

The following incident took place in about 1877. Chozo Yamada of Kawachi Province, then twenty years old, had been confined to bed for several years, suffering from illness.

One day, a tradesman who came to buy cotton told him that there was a wondrous god at Shoyashiki in Yamato. Unable to move, Chozo single-heartedly prayed to the god from his sickbed. Much to his surprise, he gradually began to feel better. He would pray gratefully even when he drank water and this made him feel even better. Within several days, he was able to get out of bed.

Chozo, deeply moved by God’s wondrous providence, made up his mind to visit Shoyashiki to give thanks to the living god. His family thought that in his condition it was still too early to do so and opposed the plans. He insisted, however, and set out on his pilgrimage on crutches, accompanied by his brother, Yosakichi. As they reached Minamikashiwara, about four kilometers away from his home in Osakabe Village, he found himself able to walk with a single crutch. When they reached Tatsuta in Yamato Province, he was able to walk without using any crutches. He then let his brother go home, and continued his journey to the Residence alone.

An intermediary told him, “You came from Kawachi, didn’t you? This morning, God said,

‘Today there will be a visitor from Kawachi.’

That must be you. God has been waiting for you.” Chozo was astonished and thought that this was indeed the place where the living god resided.

When he was granted an audience with Oyasama, She spoke to him tenderly. During his one-week stay he recovered completely. When he bade farewell to Her, She said:

“Come back soon, won’t you?”

He went home in high spirits, singing folk songs as he crossed the Shigi Hills.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 50–51

Continue reading Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 58 →

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 27

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama, , , , , ,

27. Happy Day

On the morning of the tenth day of Oyasama’s visit to the Matsuo residence in July 1872, Ichibei and his wife went to Oyasama’s room to extend their greetings. Oyasama asked:

“Would you like to have God enshrined?”

Ichibei replied, “Yes, I would like to have God enshrined, but where would be the best place?”

“Over there,”

Oyasama said, pointing Her finger to where the Buddhist altar was. It was so unexpected, like a bolt out of the blue, that Ichibei and his wife were speechless, thinking of their ancestors enshrined in the Buddhist altar. The couple exchanged glances and silently nodded their heads in approval. Ichibei asked, “Then where shall the Buddhist altar be moved?” Oyasama said:

“The ancestors will not be angry, nor will they oppose the move. Set it in a similar place in the other room.”

The other room was the old guest room. A carpenter was called at once to draw up plans for God’s altar in accordance with Oyasama’s directions. Preparations were made for the relocation of the Buddhist altar. The Buddhist priest was strongly opposed to their proposal, but they asked him to offer the prayer against his will. The relocation of the altar was completed that night without trouble. The following morning four carpenters came to build God’s altar.

“If you do not hurry you will not finish in time,”

Oyasama said to speed up the work. It was completed on the evening of the twelfth day of Her stay. The next morning, the couple went to Oyasama’s room to extend their greetings, but She was not there. When they went to the other room, they found Her sitting silently before the newly completed altar.

“You did well. This will be fine, this will be fine,”

Oyasama said, and then She went to the sickroom of their eldest son, Narazo, who was unable to move from his bed. As Oyasama sat beside him, She said:

“Your head must itch.”

She took Her own comb and began to comb Narazo’s hair slowly. Oyasama said as She returned to Her room:

“Today is a nice day, a happy day, because today God is to be enshrined,”

and She smiled happily. The couple was wondering how the enshrinement was going to be done when they heard someone at the front door. Haru went to greet the visitor and it was Shuji, Oyasama’s son. As soon as Shuji was escorted to Her room, Oyasama said:

“Arrangements for the enshrinement are complete, so please make the gohei, the sacred staff.”

When it was completed, Oyasama personally took the staff to the altar and offered Her prayers to sanctify it.

“God is going to be here also from today. How happy! This is truly wonderful,”

Oyasama said, overjoyed.

“I am returning home now,”

She said, and She returned to the Residence.

The Buddhist altar was completely removed from the home at a later date.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 21–23 Continue reading Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 27 →

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 20

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama, ,

20. Birth of a Girl

Early in March 1868, Chushichi Yamanaka stayed overnight at the Residence. The next morning, when he went to extend his morning greetings to Oyasama, She said:

“Chushichi, a girl was born at your home last night. They are all waiting for your return. Hurry home to them.”

Chushichi had not expected the baby to be born that soon, so he had stayed overnight at the Residence. Therefore, when Oyasama informed him of the birth he was half in doubt, but he acknowledged Her words, saying, “Oh, I see, thank you.” However, when he met his son, Hikoshichi, on the way and was told the news of the birth, he realized fully the truth of Oyasama’s words. When he further learned that it was indeed a girl, he was filled with awe.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 14–15

Continue reading Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 20 →

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 13

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama,

13. Sow the Seed

Tosuke Maeda and his wife Tatsu of Anryu Village, Settsu Province, were peddling flower seeds under the name of Taneichi. They had had many children one after another, and they did not want to have more. But in 1865, Tatsu was again expecting a baby. Then Tatsu heard of a god in Yamato Province who would bring about an abortion, and so she went there. However, she did not arrive at the place of that god, but was guided by an unknown force to Shoyashiki Village. There she was granted an audience with Oyasama, who said:

“You are the Taneichi (literally, ‘seed market’), so you will sow seeds.”

What do you mean by sowing seeds? asked Tatsu. Then Oyasama taught:

“It means to go here and there and talk of Tenri-Ō.”*

Referring to the expected baby, Oyasama added:

“It will not do to abort the child. The baby will be a boy, the heir to the Maeda family.”

These words struck home to Tatsu and convinced her of giving up having an abortion. When she returned home, she told her husband Tosuke of Oyasama’s words and he too was convinced. From that time on they often returned to Jiba and received teachings from Oyasama. The baby was born on June 18th of that year and was named Tojiro.

Both husband and wife told people of the divine name of Tenri-Ō-no-Mikoto wherever they went to sell their flower seeds. Moreover, when they met a sick person, either the wife or husband would return to Jiba to pray for that person. All the sick people they prayed for were saved.

(Note)

* God the Parent

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 8–9

Continue reading Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 13 →