Venerated Enlightened Seishi Onisaburō Deguchi (vegetarian): Messenger of the Divine Word, Part 2 of 3

The foundress of Oomoto, Kaiso Nao Deguchi, was a widow who endured poverty and relentless hardship. Yet she remained kind, courageous, and deeply pious. At the age of 56, amid destitution and family tragedy, her life took an unexpected turn. It all began on that fateful Lunar New Year’s Day in 1892, when Kaiso Nao experienced a vision that transported her to a Heavenly realm of radiant halls and temples. Finally, on the fifth day of the lunar new year, she was overcome with Divine inspiration. Though illiterate, her hand moved across the paper under the guidance of the Celestial Being Ushitora no Konjin, producing remarkable prophecies and teachings. These sacred writings, known as “Ofudesaki” (“written under Divine guidance”), eventually filled thousands of volumes over the 26 years leading up to her passing.

Seishi Onisaburō organized Kaiso Nao Deguchi’s revelations into the “Oomoto Shin'yu” (“Divine Revelations of Oomoto”) and transformed the movement into a structured religion. With remarkable charisma, eloquence, and vision, He revitalized the teachings and guided Oomoto through a period of growth and expansion. In many ways, Kaiso Nao can be seen as a prophetic forerunner – like Saint John the Baptist before Lord Jesus Christ (both vegetarians), or the Venerated Prophet the Báb before the Lord Baháʼu'lláh (vegetarian) – preparing the way for a new revelation. Initially, Kaiso Nao believed the Divine spirit communicating through Seishi Onisaburō was of a lower order. However, through subsequent revelations recorded by her own hand, she came to understand that Seishi Onisaburō was in fact the Great Maitreya Buddha (vegan) descended to assist this sacred mission. This recognition shifted the attitudes of Oomoto’s leaders and followers as well, allowing Seishi Onisaburō’s spiritual mission to unfold with greater harmony and momentum.

Over time, His vision evolved into a philosophy centered on universal love and goodness toward all humanity. Yet, His core message remained the same: a call to “return to God” and “awaken to the Divine,” grounded in the spirit of love and virtue.

Veganism was also encouraged over the years as part of the Oomoto teachings, and it is thought that Seishi Himself might have been fully vegan by the end of his life. He once said: “I do not eat fish at all, and I don’t like fish either. Also, I don’t like eating meat.” “Wearing clothes made from animal fur and leather is indeed violating the Divine Law.”