Once when a construction was being planned at Church Headquarters, the ministers of a certain branch church expressed their wish to be allowed to undertake and complete the construction solely on their own. They also promised to supply the lumber for the project. In response, the Honseki warned:
“To undertake a construction on your own is against the spirit of the path. It is to be done by everyone coming together.”
The following excerpt is from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 91–93) by Koji Sato 佐藤浩司, assistant professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and will most likely require further revision.
Denjiro Tomita 冨田伝次郎 was a minister among several others who helped build the foundation of Heishin Grand Church 兵神大教会 in Kobe. Denjiro returned to Jiba for the first time to express his appreciation after his eldest son Yonetaro was saved from a life-threatening stomach disease.
The following is a translation of Part 25 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the January 2005 (No. 433) issue of Taimo, p. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.
Circa 1894, five Tenrikyo missionaries in their late 20s found a place in Hirosaki from where they went out to sprinkle the fragrance of the teachings day and night. In time, they sprinkled the fragrance of the teachings to Iwanosuke Jin 神石之助, who they had met at the entrance of Hirosaki Hospital. Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 25
The following excerpt is from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 88–91) by Koji Sato 佐藤浩司, assistant professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.
In Jiba, “Grand Services” are held on January 26 and October 26. The “festivals” falling on 26th of the remaining months of the year are called “Monthly Services.”1
The following is a translation of Part 24 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the December 2004 (No. 432) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.
Kozaburo Murakami was born in a rich farming household in Izumi Province and was known for his honesty and his strict, hard-working nature. He was trusted by the people around him as a reliable man who never refused his assistance.
Once, when Shobei Masuno was heard saying, “I’m so busy; so very busy,” the Honseki called for him from a nearby room.
He said: “Masuno-san, it is wonderful that you are busy. How would you feel if you had so much spare time that you were busy with finding something to do?”
(From Ten no jogi p. 142)
*Note: This post has been revised since its original publication.
I know there is the maxim that says there’s no rest for the wicked, but I’m more partisan to the Honseki’s outlook that it is a blessing to be busy.
The following excerpt is from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 84–88) by Koji Sato 佐藤浩司, assistant professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is a provisional one at the moment and will most likely require further revision.
Toyomatsu Sekine, the first head minister of Aimachi Branch Church once received an award in 1951 when he was 70 years old which recognized him as the leading religious figure in the six prefectures of the Tokai region. The governor of Aichi Prefecture, the mayor of Nagoya City, and several other eminent people from various fields were present at the award ceremony.
Continue reading A Person Who Exemplifies the Truth of the Teachings
The following is a translation of Part 23 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the November 2004 (No. 431) issue of Taimo 大望, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.
Gunki Sato 佐藤軍紀 was part of the first graduating class of Tenri Foreign Language School in 1925.1 In 1928 he went to Beijing and began propagating the teachings of Tenrikyo.
Continue reading The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 23
The Honseki sometimes revealed a strict side. He would scold people working for Church Headquarters without hesitation if he saw them being unkind to followers.
No matter how minor it may have seemed, the Honseki warned against using things carelessly. He often said to those around him: Continue reading Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 41