DEITY
DAIKOKU
by.Rev.Shokai Kanai
Jan. 28, 1996
This morning, we had a special service called Festival of Deity
Daikoku. We had the opening-eyes ceremony for new statues of Deity
Daikoku and blessing the power of the deity. Daikoku-sama is very
similar to Santa Clause. I would like to compare them for your
better understanding of Deity Daikoku.
Daikoku-sama will bring you good fortune, wealth, prosperity,
long life and happiness. Santa Clause is coming only once on Christmas
Day, while Daikoku-sama is coming six times in a year which is
every 60 days. Today is the first appearance of Daikoku in this
year. He carries a big bag on his back just like Santa Clause.
Santa's bag is full of toys and other presents for children, but
Daikoku's bag is full of money and food -- especially rice. When
his bag becomes empty, he strikes his magic mallet with his right
hand, then it is said that whatever his believers want, they will
be materialized. Daikoku-sama is worshipped by adults especially
merchants, store owners, and house-holders.
Because Daikoku-sama produce rice which is a main dish for oriental
people, his statue is placed in a respectable place in a kitchen.
Until many decades ago, food was cooked with fire of wood or coal
that made a lot of black smoke.
Therefore Daikoku-sama becomes black with kitchen smoke compared
with the red-coat of Santa Clause. Santa Clause is an old man
just like Daikoku. The old man of Daikoku-sama promises long life
for the worshippers. Santa has white hair, mustache, and beard,
while Daikoku has no mustache nor beard. He wears flat hat not
like a Santa's cone-shaped hat. His smiling face represents happiness,
his short and round body means satisfaction and harmony. His feet
rest on the top of two straw rice-bags symbolizes his power to
control rice and other grains.
A statue of Daikoku-samas is placed in a square wood rice measure.
This is because Daikoku-sama represents plus or a male while the
measure represents minus or a female. When plus and minus meet,
something new will be produced.
This symbolizes harmony, happiness and new production.
In our daily lives, we must always try to harmonize with spouse,
members of the family, neighbors, and also with nature. Our mind
and body must be harmonized, too; then we will keep good health
and happiness. Please believe in this harmony, and chant the Odaimoku.
Then, Odaimoku will produce rice, money, health, and long life
for you. It is always the Odaimoku that is the important thing.
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo - Namu Myoho Renge Kyo
Namu Myoho Renge Kyo
