Book Review: Fushigina Kiroku Volume 16
Volume 16 covers the divine principles of “cutting and separation” and “food.” In terms of the cutting and separating principle, it provides a thorough introduction to the practice of cutting karmic bonds. In terms of the food principle, it describes food offerings and prayers for living beings that humans consume as food. The principles teach us how the natural system works and how our actions shape our own fate.
From history, the author presents the Ten Sacred Treasures, which are recorded in ancient documents as the ten treasures of Japan. According to the author, they were initially ten treasures of teachings in ancient era—divine principles that categorize divine force into 10 types. Two of these Ten Sacred Treasures are the divine principles of “cutting and separation” and “food” explained in this volume. It is an ancient teaching revealed by the author.
The Divine Principle of Cutting and Separation
A chapter discusses how there are both deities who make connections and deities who cut connections. Some previous volumes dive into further detail about the divine principle of connection. This volume explains the divine principle of “cutting and separation” that involves detaching karma and serving relations. In one case, the author assisted a woman with an abusive spouse in separating from him. Another section shows the process of cutting karma, what karma is, how to cut karma, purifying rituals, and many types of spiritual cleansing. The first step toward cutting them is to examine oneself and recognize one’s own karma. This book contains a list of karma types to help readers identify their own karma.
The Divine Principle of Food
The divine principle of food is explained through descriptions of offering food to God, memorial rites involving food, and the karma generated by our food-related habits.
Regarding food offerings to God, the author explains both the significance in Shinto. Offering food allows it to be presented to God and spiritually conveyed to the divine realm. As many living beings are sacrificed to sustain human life, these offerings can also be considered as expressions of gratitude and remembrance. This perspective highlights the significance of making food offerings.
The chapter also describes a food-memory ritual using an divine item “Daikichi Uō,” which can be purchased and used in prayer. Many people find it difficult to make food offerings to God because doing so requires specific knowledge and practices. “Daikichi Uō” makes this ritual accessible, allowing anyone to participate in the prayer.
Another important set of teachings concerns food-related habits. One chapter emphasizes the invisible relationship between work and food as a natural law. It is reflected in everyday life: through work, people cultivate crops or earn the money needed to obtain food. The author explains that wasting edible food is said to bring negative consequences, such as losing one’s job or experiencing a decline in social standing. Likewise, stealing food is regarded as a serious sin that requires substantial atonement.
The Existence of the Gods
The author also writes ancient history, describing a time when God took human form to teach people. To readers, these stories may seem difficult to believe. However, the many teachings and real-life stories presented from Volume 1 through this volume help readers recognize God’s presence.
As readers come to realize that God truly exists, they also gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of rituals. These include purification rituals performed through divine power, called Misogi, a cleansing practice in which one prays to God to remove the sins and impurities of body and mind, and the offering of food to God.