Contribution and Dedication (Tsukushi-Hakobi) [2]

As with "contribution," however, what is important is to dedicate one's "sincerity." In fact, "contribution" and "dedication" are frequently used to convey ... ContributionandDedication(Tsukushi-Hakobi)[2] byYoshikazuFukaya Wewillnowlookat"dedication." ADivineDirectionsays: Thetruthofyourdedicationwillenableyoutounderstanditstruth. Osashizu,May17,1893 InthisDivineDirection,GodtheParentteachesusthatweareabletounderstandthetruemeaningofdedicationbyputtingitintopracticeandsavoringit. Followersmightsometimesspeakofdedicatingtheirsincerity,dedicatinglabor,anddedicatingotherthings,usingthetermunderdiscussiontorefertoanyeffortdevotedtoservingothers,theworkofthechurch,andthepath. Thus,thetermmaymeanofferingmoneyandotherthingstochurchesandtothepath,butitcanalsorefertovisitingachurchtoattendthemonthlyservicesorthemorningandeveningservices.Oritmayrefertoone'sdailyefforttovisitthechurchatanytimeoftheday.Again,thesevisitsmayalsoincludeperformingsometaskorotherforthechurch. Comparedwith"contribution,"theJapanesewordtranslatedas"dedication"mayseemtorefertomoreoutwardandphysicalaspects,whichmakessomepeoplethinkthatitislighterandshallowerthancontribution,thoughttobemoreinwardandspiritual.Aswith"contribution,"however,whatisimportantistodedicateone's"sincerity."Infact,"contribution"and"dedication"arefrequentlyusedtoconveyexactlythesamemeaning.Also,thesetermsareoftenputtogetherandusedasonephrase,asin"contributionanddedication." GodtheParentsaysinaDivineDirection: Ihavereceivedallthetruthyouhavecontributedandallthetruthyouhavededicated. Osashizu,March3,1904 InotherDivineDirections,wefindpassagesthatsay,ineffect:"TherearepeoplewhocontributedanddedicatedallthattheyhadtothecauseofservingGodtheParentandsavingotherpeople.Theygaveawaytheirfortunes.SomepeopleworryaboutthefactthattheyhavegivenuptheirpossessionstodevotethemselvestothepathofGod,butlistenwell.Evenifitwerenotforthispath,thereisalwaysthepossibilitythatastrongwindcouldblowyourhousedown,evencausingyoutoloseeverythingovernight.Youwouldindeedbeleftwithnothingifyoulostyourpossessionsforsuchreasons.Contributingtothepath,ontheotherhand,isjustlikesowingseedshereandthere.Solongastheseedsaresown,budswillsproutfromthemwherevertheyare"(Osashizu,May21,1897;September21,1900). [BACK][NEXT]