I tried joining Happy Science (2) - What are the advantages and disadvantages of joining a religion?

What happens when you join Happy Science? What are the benefits of joining a religion? We held a roundtable discussion with two individuals who just joined online open_in_new to hear their honest thoughts about "Happy Science." Did anything change before and after they joined?

We spoke with...

● Mr. S.H (24 years old, male, Kanagawa Prefecture) Salesperson. His hobby is traveling.
● Mr. R.N (25 years old, male, Tokyo) System engineer. His hobby is visiting hot springs and public baths.

Mr. S.H (hereafter, Mr. H):

I have always been interested in various religions, but among them, I thought the teachings of Happy Science open_in_new were great.

It is always evolving, and I have a strong impression that President Okawa open_in_new is an opinion leader beyond the framework of religion. I felt a sense of trust that I could follow this path when I was in doubt.

As a Japanese person, I felt a sense of familiarity with polytheistic thinking, so the worldview that there is a supreme god called Lord El Cantare open_in_new who unites many gods resonated with me.

Mr. R.N (hereafter, Mr. N):

I had a strong aversion to religion, so I viewed President Okawa as a critic and continued to read his works. I would pick and choose key points and apply them to work, relationships, and various areas.

However, after reading his books for years, I began to think, "I want to know more about Happy Science." Also, during high school, college, and later as a working adult, I read 'The Law of the Sun' open_in_new, and by the third time, I couldn't stop crying.

Honestly, I thought that if I became a believer in Happy Science, I would have to engage in quite a bit of activity, so there was a hurdle to joining... but the shock of reading 'The Law of the Sun' open_in_new was the deciding factor.

Mr. N: After joining online through the official site, I found the member page with 'Membership Edition of the 'Shoshin Hōgo'' and a page for 'Guidance on Faith Life,' so I started my faith life following the guidance.

As I continued to read 'Shoshin Hōgo' open_in_new once a day, I felt my feelings stabilize and a sense of light coming into my heart.
As a result, my desire to meet people who have faith in Happy Science grew stronger day by day, but I had the image that I would be strongly recruited if I went to a branch open_in_new, so I was too scared to go.

Mr. H: I understand. It takes courage to go to a branch.

Mr. N: But one day, I made up my mind and went to Tokyo Shoshinkan open_in_new. When I bravely entered, a male director came out and talked to me for about 10 minutes.
At that time, I received an explanation of the Three Return Vows open_in_new, and I decided to try making the Three Return Vows. I felt that I met a really good person, and I was feeling a heightened desire for truth after reading 'Shoshin Hōgo'.
I think the power of 'Shoshin Hōgo' is incredible. Honestly, even though I had read 200 books before joining, I had no information about 'Shoshin Hōgo' at all, and I learned about it only after joining online. I wish I had known about it sooner.

Mr. H:

'I knew of the existence of 'Shoshin Hōgo', but the content was not posted anywhere. The explanation page for 'Shoshin Hōgo' mentioned 'an effect a thousand times greater than the Heart Sutra,' so I was curious about what it was and whether it was true.

Mr. N: Being able to read 'Shoshin Hōgo' is a very significant benefit of joining. I used to think of prayer as 'just a comfort,' but since I started reading it, I have felt the effects of daily prayer.
When I come home from work, I feel exhausted and my heart feels rough, and I often think that 'there's no benefit to joining a religious organization.' However, when I read 'Shoshin Hōgo', I feel like something cloudy in my mind and body is gently lifted... it truly feels like 'evil spirits are being removed'.
If people knew that reading 'Shoshin Hōgo' and praying had such effects, I think the number of people wanting to join and make the Three Return Vows to pray with 'Shoshin Hōgo' would double. Until I made the Three Return Vows, I was stuck in a cycle of 'reading 'Shoshin Hōgo' and feeling more drawn to Happy Science, but the next day I would spend another day unable to take a step forward.'

Mr. H: At the time of my online membership, I don't think I had much faith. Even when I asked myself, 'Do I believe in Lord El Cantare?', I wasn't sure if I did.
However, after joining online, I participated in a large lecture open_in_new and had the experience of hearing the teachings live for the first time, which was very moving. (Note 1) I felt a sense of unity, sharing the same time with President Okawa open_in_new = Lord El Cantare open_in_new, and the lecture was really great.
Then, when I went to the branch the following weekend, I participated in the Three Return Vow ceremony, and that was when I felt faith. When I joined my hands in prayer, my faith transformed into conviction. I had an experience where I felt the light from the heavenly realm beyond this world coming through. I felt like I had found what I had been seeking.

Mr. N:

When people learn about Happy Science, I think many feel a pang in their hearts, wondering, 'Is it okay to just watch from afar while President Okawa and Happy Science are raising their voices to improve the world?'

However, the desire to be of help is often something we don't notice ourselves. It was only after joining and reading 'Shoshin Hōgo' that I began to understand my true feelings.

Mr. N: There are already prejudices in the world that say, 'Religion is a business that collects money by saying nonsense' and 'If you join and give your personal information, you will face intense recruitment and quotas that you can't refuse even if you want to.' So, I wish I had known the correct information about believers before joining.

Mr. H: At the stage of online membership, I think many people probably don't know whether they have faith or not. The Three Return Vows should be something that people want to do voluntarily after gaining various experiences and naturally feeling their feelings rise, so I hope they can wait for that.

Mr. N: People who join online are often 'alone', so they are looking for encounters with others who can talk about faith and are hoping to meet believers. They want to know recommendations for books and prayers, and at first, reading 'Shoshin Hōgo' can feel long until they finish it, so they would like to be taught how to read it.

Mr. H:

Shōja open_in_new (Note 2) has a healing atmosphere, so I think it will become popular among beginners. It can be scary to go alone, so it would be nice if someone could go with you.

Mr. H: Yes. The biggest benefit is gaining 'dharma friends' (companions who learn the same teachings). I can talk with people my age in real life, and long-time members know a lot of things and have interesting stories.

Mr. N: At first, I thought it would be easier to just be a reader without becoming a believer. As a reader, I feel like I understand things.
I would highlight the parts of the book that were convenient for me and think this book was good. But in reality, I often overlooked the parts that were painful for me, and I hadn't changed at all.
As I read many of President Okawa's books, I began to think, 'If I am just reading alone, I tend to think about things in a way that is convenient for me. (Omitted) If you have a serious desire to seek the teachings, you should properly follow a teacher. Otherwise, there are things you won't understand.'

After encountering this passage ('A Recommendation for Faith' open_in_new from Chapter 3), I began to think that it might be better to join.

By actually engaging in activities and discussing with companions who share the same faith, I feel that I can truly test whether I understand the content. And of course,'Shoshin Hōgo' open_in_new is essential. I didn't understand the goodness of 'Shoshin Hōgo' until I joined.

――Thank you both very much for answering the interview.