Personal Reflections on the Kakisage
The Kakisage is often spoken of as being the tenth Besseki Lecture. After a period of preparation, recipients of the Kakisage, having just been granted the truth of the Sazuke, are advised to read daily and ponder its intended meaning. My own ponderings change day by day, according to the state and truth of my mind at any given time. Upon reflection I find that my thoughts and ponderings change, not only day to day but moment to moment. In that regard I will attempt to be guided in my ponderings by the two poems from the Ofudesaki appearing below.
From now on I shall speak in the metaphor of water.
Be enlightened by the word clear and muddy.
Ponder this: no matter how clear the water may be,
if you put
mud into it, it will become muddy.
"One thing more, if there is the truth of sincerity alone in the mind of each of you, complete harmony will come to your families, the one truth will settle. Now, the world will be convinced. Those of you that convinced others will have free and unlimited workings by your unchanging truth of sincerity alone."
The Tenrikyo Teaching models and shows ways for individuals to awaken single-heartedly, settle, know and understand the one truth of the mind of sincerity.
The Tenrikyo Teaching is also engaged in modeling and showing ways to recruit instruments; the original parental mind works in the free and unlimited workings of the universe through instruments. There is then a tireless search for those instruments, human minds, who are willing to consent to awaken and to then freely work at finding ways for other minds to awaken to the truth and intention of their origin.
Letting go of thoughts rising up as self-centered thinking, and the self images that have accumulated, even temporarily, even for a moment requires sincerity. True sincerity is reflected and returns true sincerity.
Once awakened, those instruments are free to work as appropriate for their time, place and the level of spiritual maturity of those minds they would guide to settle, calm and awaken. That awakening is available to all of the minds of the world equally. Only good will come of this work.