[2] Konkōkyō believers worship the spirit and energy that flows through all things (musubi, one of the core beliefs of Shinto) as Tenchi Kane No Kami (天地金乃神), or the Golden Kami of the Heavens and Earth (in Japanese, "Heavens and Earth" also means the Universe).

While Konkōkyō is hard to define with any one particular theology,[3] Tenchi Kane no Kami is understood to be omnipresent and is essentially the energy that penetrates (and/or manifests) the universe and gives all things a consciousness; a non-omnipotent director of the workings of nature.

Kami is often seen as a divine ideal parent - offering love, affection, support, protection, and nurturing us through his blessings.

He was born on September 29, 1814, in the village of Urami in Bitchū Province (in present-day Asakuchi, Okayama Prefecture) to a farming family.

He believed he had received a good omen, yet that year suffered from a serious throat ailment, rendering him in a chronic condition and unable to speak or move.

Thus, Bunjirō practiced his faith in this deity, Tenchi Kane no Kami, who revealed to him many teachings through spiritual experiences.

Before long, the number of visitors seeking advice and spiritual guidance grew, and as well a group of disciples called the deyashiro was formed to help Bunjirō spread the teachings of this deity.

[4] After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, religious policies of the new government temporarily placed limits on Konkōkyō teachings, due to Tenchi Kane no Kami not being a formal deity of the Kojiki (the only deities allowed worship and shrines in the Meiji era), however, this provided an opportunity to develop important aspects that ended up preserving Konkōkyo's history and teachings, such as the memoir Konkō Daijin Oboegaki, written by Bunjirō documenting his spiritual experiences and daily living with his faith in Tenchi Kane no Kami.

He was succeeded by his son, Konko Ieyoshi, who became regarded as the successor and spiritual leader to pass on the Konkōkyō way of helping others, who was supported by the disciples of Bunjirō.

Subsequently, the Konko family line has retained their leadership roles and have been responsible for spiritually guiding the followers of Konkōkyō - the teachings of Tenchi Kane no Kami - since Bunjirō's passing.

Suffering is seen as being caused by an individual's high expectations, unwillingness to compromise, impatience, arrogance, and disregard between the relationship between all things.

Konkōkyō's beliefs center around the betterment of human life in this world by showing appreciation for all things, living upright, and providing mutual help, and prayer for others.

It is the ideal human being who strives to save people from suffering and problems and to make the world a happier place to live in.

Through this mutually reliant and interdependent relationship, both Tenchi Kane No Kami and people can continue to exist and work together to make the world a more peaceful place.

In Konkōkyō, Toritsugi (Mediation) is a spiritual practice for people to establish a communication link between themselves and Tenchi Kane no Kami.

By understanding the message of Tenchi Kane No Kami's teachings and advice, the visitor can receive guidance to their issues, or feel relieved from anxieties knowing the deity has heard their words.

When they meet people who are suffering, the Konkōkyō way is to listen to their problems, support them, and pray for their wellbeing and happiness.

Though Konkōkyō believes that Tenchi Kane No Kami is everywhere, and followers of the way can talk to the deity anytime and anywhere, the church is a place to receive assistance and guidance through Toritsugi, and for people to focus their prayers, to appreciate blessings, apologize for any irreverences they may feel they have made, as well as be a safe and calming center for people to visit.

Konkōkyō desires to have all people, regardless of race, creed, gender, and occupation, work together to resolve the problems of the world.

[9] Defining Konkōkyō's theology in western terminology is complex, but panentheism, pantheism, non-dualism, animism, monotheism, and henotheism can be, and have been, used to describe the faith depending on one' definition of those terms.

Konkōkyō churches and missions are found in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Germany, Paraguay, and South Korea, and majorly Japan.

As of January 2020, Konkōkyō maintains membership in the Kyoha Shintō Rengōkai (教派神道連合会, Association of Sectarian Shinto).