Category Archives: Translations

Churches

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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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 42

The following is a translation of Part 42 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the June 2006 (No. 450) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 42: “God’s Gifts Are Free and Unlimited”

Zenroku and Shina Okamoto of Nagahara Village, Yamato Province were blessed with seven children. However, only their eldest son Eitaro and their youngest daughter Kan grew to adulthood as five of their children either died in infancy or a result of a miscarriage. Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 42

Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 61

61. A Cough for the Nightwatchman

Like today, the seinens (male attendants) at Church Headquarters made nightly rounds of the Residence each hour. The Honseki sympathized with the seinens who were on duty each night. The Honseki would call out to the seinen making the rounds, saying, “Thank you for your hard work,” when they passed his room, even when it was one or two in the morning.

Continue reading Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 61

Ascetic Training

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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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 41

The following is a translation of Part 41 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the May 2006 (No. 449) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 41: Bamboo Brooms

Naka Higashida was born in 1893 in Mifune-machi, Kumamoto Prefecture. When she came of age, her aunt who had relocated to Hawaii came to her with a marriage proposal. It was an arranged marriage with a mere exchange of photos, and it was decided that Naka would go to Hawaii to marry. Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 41

It Is Not That the Child Does Not Understand

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 Footsteps of Our Predecessors 40

The following is a translation of Part 40 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the April 2006 (No. 448) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision. (This is part two of a two-part series [see part one])

Part 40: The Faith of Choe Jae-Han (2 of 2)

Choe Jae-Han (the first head minister of Won Nam Seong Gyohae) was brought back to life after Rev. Hideno Kimura’s administering of the Sazuke. Still, he had lost much of his vision and his arms and legs were bent inward, making him look like a cicada nymph.

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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 59

59. Honseki Rain

On his tour of the western provinces, there was an occasion when the Honseki was making his way through Kochi where it was raining from morning. Yet there was the unexplainable phenomenon of the rain stopping wherever his procession happened to be traveling by and would resume once again after it passed by. Only the area around the Honseki’s palanquin would be free from rain. Continue reading Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 59

The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 39

The following is a translation of Part 39 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the March 2006 (No. 447) issue of Taimo, pp. 36–37. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 39: The Faith of Choe Jae-Han (1 of 2)

Choe Jae-Han, the founding minister of Won Nam Seong Gyohae (church), suffered from several illnesses from his youth. When he finally succumbed to Hansen’s disease, it left him without a place to work. Jae-Han subsequently abandoned himself to despair and plunged himself into a world of darkness. He spent his days and nights fighting and gambling; his notoriety increased as he repeatedly went in and out of prison.

Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 39