Anecdotes of Oyasama 95
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Anecdotes of Oyasama 95 presents the contents of "The Path of Eight Hundred Kilometers," a selection from Anecdotes of Oyasama, published by Tenrikyo Church Headquarters in 1976. The content below appears between page 79 and 80 of the print edition.
Text: English translation and original Japanese
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95. The Path of Eight Hundred Kilometers Chuzaburo Koda of Kawahigashi Village in Yamato Province was employed at the Agricultural Experiment Station in Niigata Prefecture. When he went home on vacation late in 1881, he found that the condition of his second daughter, Riki, who had been suffering from an eye disease for two or three years, had become worse. Although medical attention was given, it was said that it was only a matter of time before she would lose her sight. The new year, 1882, arrived with the whole family being deeply concerned. Early in the year, they were about to decide that they should offer prayers at one of the most famous temples of the country, the Kanzeon at Mount Otowa in Yamato Province. Yosaburo Miyamori of the same village heard of their plan and visited the Koda family. Miyamori had already been a follower in the faith for several years. The family had him offer prayers for Riki at once. The next morning she was able dimly to see her fingers and cookies as well. As a result, they gave up the idea of going to Mount Otowa, and instead, the parents and Riki returned to the Residence on March 5th. They stayed there for seven days. On the third day, Chuzaburo's wife, Saki, offered this prayer: "I will offer one of my eyes as a sacrifice, so please save at least one of the eyes of my daughter." From that night on, Saki gradually lost the sight of one eye. In exchange, Riki gradually regained the sight in one of her own eyes, until it was fully recovered. Chuzaburo was so moved by this wondrous blessing that for the first time he made a firm resolution to have faith in God. He submitted his resignation to the prefecture because he wished to serve God at the Residence, and because travel between Niigata and the Residence took sixteen days. However, the prefecture refused his resignation and ordered his return. At a complete loss, Chuzaburo asked Oyasama, "What should I do?" She told him:
Koda was filled with emotion by these words. He made a firm resolution from the depths of his heart to spread the fragrance of the teachings and to save others. He departed on March 17th. Thus, he took the first step of mission work in Niigata Prefecture. |
九五 道の二百里も 明治十四年の暮、当時、新潟県の農事試験場に勤めていた大和国川東村の鴻田忠三郎が、休暇をもらって帰国してみると、二、三年前から眼病を患っていた二女のりきが、いよいよ悪くなり、医薬の力を尽したが、失明は時間の問題であるという程になっていた。 家族一同心配しているうちに、年が明けて明治十五年となった。年の初めから、この上は、世に名高い大和国音羽山観世音に願をかけようと、相談していると、その話を聞いた同村の宮森与三郎が、訪ねて来てくれた。宮森は、既に数年前から入信していたのである。早速お願いしてもらったところ、翌朝は、手の指や菓子がウッスラと見えるようになった。 そこで、音羽山詣りはやめにして、三月五日に、夫婦とりきの三人連れでおぢばへ帰らせて頂き、七日間滞在させて頂いた。その三日目に、妻のさきは、「私の片目を差し上げますから、どうか娘の儀も、片方だけなりとお救け下され。」と、願をかけたところ、その晩から、さきの片目は次第に見えなくなり、その代わりに、娘のりきの片目は、次第によくなって、すっきりお救け頂いた。この不思議なたすけに感泣した忠三郎は、ここに初めて、信心の決心を堅めた。 そして、お屋敷で勤めさせて頂きたいとの思いと、新潟は当時歩いて十六日かかった上から、県へ辞職願を出したところ、許可はなく、「どうしても帰任せよ。」 との厳命である。困り果てた忠三郎が、「如何いたしましょうか。」 と、教祖に伺うと、
との仰せであった。 このお言葉に感激した鴻田は、心の底深くにをいがけ・おたすけを決意して、三月十七日新潟に向かって勇んで出発した。こうして、新潟布教の第一歩は踏み出されたのである。 |
