![](/assets/images/feature/202407/04/main.jpg)
[ 千勝神社 ]
神に仕える身として、静寂に包まれた社殿で祈りについて考えを巡らす。そうして見えてきたのは、祈りによる人の成長。
パワースポットと呼ばれる場所がある。そこには生命力や活力、超自然なエネルギーがあふれているという。そんなパワースポットとして注目されているのが茨城県つくば市にある、創建1500年超の猿田彦大神を主祭神とする千勝神社。
確かに境内に足を踏み入れたとたん、周囲の気が変わる。凜とするというか、爽やかというか、違いを確実に感じることができる。交通の便が良いわけではないのに、次々と参拝客が訪れる。ここにある “気” に誘われてくるのだろうか。そして訪れた人たちはそれぞれ、ここで何を祈るのか。
「祈りは祈りとしてあり、そこに解決を求めるものではありません」。 そう語るのは千勝神社の禰宜である松本哲弥さん。祈りに解決を求めはじめると、それは依存になってしまうという。「人は幸せになるために生きています。願いが叶わなくても幸せにはなれる。喜びをもって幸せに生きるために、そして真の幸福を感じるために祈りが必要なのです」。これは神主として、信仰者として神に仕えてきた個人の考えだと前置きをしながら松本さんの祈りについて話はつづく。「信仰とは自らの生き方を定めるものです。生き方が定まれば不安や迷いが無くなります。その信仰は祈ることがすべてではなくて実践が必要。しかし、祈りがなければ信仰が成り立たないことも事実です」。
そんな祈りは、結局は自分のためのもの? そんな問いかけに松本さんは「神仏に心がつながるためにも、利他の祈りは欠かせません。 私は、我々の願いなどは祈らずとも通じていると思っています。 世界の平和や他人のための祈りを行うことで神仏の力が備わり、我欲に縛られない本来のあるべき姿、喜びをもって生きる自分が見えてくるのではないでしょうか」と答えてくれた。 幸せに生きるために人を成長させる、それが松本さんの考える祈り。
Altruistic prayers make people
stronger and happier.
As God's servants, we contemplate prayer in the shrine's silence.
Praying leads to personal growth.
Power spot are places of vitality, energy, and supernatural power. One famous power spot is Chikatsu Shrine in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Founded over 1500 years ago, it enshrines Sarutahiko Okami as its main deity.
As soon as you step into the precincts, the atmosphere changes. It's a distinct feeling, refreshing, invigorating. Despite its inconvenient location, worshippers continuously visit. Are they drawn by the energy? What do they pray for?
"Prayer exists as prayer; it doesn't seeks solutions," says Tetsuya Matsumoto, senior priest of Chikatsu Shrine. Seeking solutions through prayer can lead to dependency. "People live to be happy, even if their wishes are not granted. Prayer is essential for joy and true happiness." Matsumoto goes on talking about prayer, stating that these are his personal views as a priest and a believer serving God. "Faith determines one's way of life. Once your way of life is decided, anxiety and confusion go away. Faith is not all about prayer; it requires practice. However, it is also true that faith cannot exist without prayer."
So, is prayer ultimately for oneself? Matsumoto says, "Altruistic prayer connects us with the deities, Buddha, and our hearts. Our wishes are understood even without explicitly praying for them. Praying for world peace and others grants us the power of the deities and Buddha, allowing us to live joyfully, free from selfishness."
Prayer, Matsumoto believes, helps people grow to live.
Altruistic prayers make people
stronger and happier.
As God's servants, we contemplate prayer in the shrine's silence.
Praying leads to personal growth.
Power spot are places of vitality, energy, and supernatural power. One famous power spot is Chikatsu Shrine in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture. Founded over 1500 years ago, it enshrines Sarutahiko Okami as its main deity.
As soon as you step into the precincts, the atmosphere changes. It's a distinct feeling, refreshing, invigorating. Despite its inconvenient location, worshippers continuously visit. Are they drawn by the energy? What do they pray for?
"Prayer exists as prayer; it doesn't seeks solutions," says Tetsuya Matsumoto, senior priest of Chikatsu Shrine. Seeking solutions through prayer can lead to dependency. "People live to be happy, even if their wishes are not granted. Prayer is essential for joy and true happiness." Matsumoto goes on talking about prayer, stating that these are his personal views as a priest and a believer serving God. "Faith determines one's way of life. Once your way of life is decided, anxiety and confusion go away. Faith is not all about prayer; it requires practice. However, it is also true that faith cannot exist without prayer."
So, is prayer ultimately for oneself? Matsumoto says, "Altruistic prayer connects us with the deities, Buddha, and our hearts. Our wishes are understood even without explicitly praying for them. Praying for world peace and others grants us the power of the deities and Buddha, allowing us to live joyfully, free from selfishness."
Prayer, Matsumoto believes, helps people grow to live.
千勝神社
![](/assets/images/feature/202407/04/1-5.jpg)
〒300-1264 茨城県つくば市泊崎173
tel.029-876-3111