Category Archives: Tenrikyo Fundamentals

End of Omichi no joshiki as a regular feature/Table of Contents

Tenrikyo Fundamentals

I posted the final entry from my translations of the first half of entries from Omichi no joshiki (a work by Koji Sato sensei) last week, and I’ve decided to end its run as a regular weekly feature. I feel it’s time to move on to other things.

Translations from the second half of Omichi no joshiki will hereafter only be posted on demand. The Table of Contents can be found below, and it includes links to post with translations of entries from the first half.

If you see any entry in the second half that seems interesting, e-mail me at roy@tenrikyology.com and I’ll translate it (if it has not already been done so) and put it up.

I’m planning to move on to something old actually, before beginning a new project. I’ll post translations (some revised) from 58 Selected Writings (Japanese title: Ohanashi goju hassen) that I originally posted on Tenrikyo Forum more than a year ago in the weeks to come.

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Naorai (Post-Service Meal)

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The following excerpt is from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 153–158) by Koji Sato, professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Naorai (Post-Service Meal)

There is a naorai (post-service meal) following the monthly service of many Tenrikyo churches. There are mission stations that do the same.

Of course, there are churches and mission stations that do no have a post-service meal. There is also no set way on how to hold a naorai; there is a great variety among them.

The number of people of the path who see a naorai as a reception where worshipers eat and drink together is not few. However, naorai once had a special meaning in Shinto service (saishi). The origin of the word is naori-au or “a mutual return to normal.”

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Churches

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The following excerpt is from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 150–153) by Koji Sato, professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Churches

Every religion has a place dedicated for worship. They are called by variety of names: in Christianity they are called churches; in Buddhism, temples; in Islam, mosques; in Judaism, synagogues; in Taoism, byo; and in Shinto, shrines. Naturally, the object of worship has a different role. Yet for followers they represent sacred and solemn places where they can find peace and comfort.

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Ascetic Training

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The following excerpt is from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 146–149) by Koji Sato, professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Ascetic Training

Many religions have established forms of ascetic training to deepen one’s faith and to cultivate the mind. There are some that are life-threatening and actually have taken the lives of a number of people.

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It Is Not That the Child Does Not Understand

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations

The following excerpt is from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 144–145) by Koji Sato, professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

It Is Not That the Child Does Not Understand

It is a difficult task for a person who knows and understands something to explain and have it understood by another who does not. The one who understands does not understand why the other person does not understand.

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The Truth That I Do Not Tell and Cannot Tell

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The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 137–142) by Koji Sato, professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

The Truth That I Do Not Tell and Cannot Tell

There are times when people are able to understand each other without saying anything out loud. In a majority of cases, it is likely an unspoken agreement to help one another, ala, “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.” There is also the Japanese proverb, “The eyes speak as much as the mouth.” Words between lovers can often seem unnecessary.

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A Pair of Folding Fans

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The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 130–134) by Koji Sato, professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

A Pair of Folding Fans

Isaburo Masui married Naragiku Nisho in 1876. Oyasama arranged the marriage. They were both from Izushichijo Village, and since they also frequently visited the Residence from a relatively early time, they knew each other quite well. Oyasama proposed the marriage after discerning the sincerity of each.

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Work (Hataraki)

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations

The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 126–129) by Koji Sato, professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Work

There are times when we may ask ourselves as we endure a long commute and toil each day, “What on earth am I working for?” Such a question comes close to home and ranks equal to other fundamental questions such as, “What is the meaning of life?”

Setting aside those who consider their present job as their calling and work each day with enthusiasm, it is possible that it may not be unreasonable for a person who works to provide for their families and make ends meet to consider their occupation as a source of drudgery.

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“I Am Tenrikyo”

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations

The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 142–143) by Koji Sato, professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

“I Am Tenrikyo”

A true person of the faith would be someone who walks the walk and talks the talk. It would be shameful if someone said, “I think your teachings are wonderful, but when I see that so-and-so is a follower, it makes me think twice….” There is no meaning in being a follower of the path unless people say, “I have no idea what the teachings are about, but when I see so-and-so, it must be a truly wonderful faith.”

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Offering With a Sincere Heart

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The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 123–126) by Koji Sato, professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Offering With a Sincere Heart

We human beings are able to enjoy life because God the Parent works without a single moment of rest to provide us with divine protection. No amount of gratitude we have for the Master Lender is too excessive.

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