Category Archives: Translations

A Humble Mind

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations, ,

The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 32–36) by Koji Sato (佐藤浩司), assistant professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is tentative and may require further revision.

A Humble Mind

Chuzaburo Koda 鴻田忠三郎, a learned man who successively held several agriculture-related posts, began to serve at the Residence in 1883. At the time, the police considered Oyasama’s teachings as an aberrant faith and they often summoned Oyasama for questioning or arrest. Chuzaburo was also once summoned with Oyasama in March 1884 to Tanbaichi Branch Station and was sentenced to serve ten days of imprisonment with Her at Nara Prison.
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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 16

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations,

16. “Six Shall Move In and Serve”

When the Iburis were in the process of moving into the Residence, Oyasama said,

“You may think your family consists of five people, but six shall move in and serve.”

At first it was a mystery to Izo and Sato what Oyasama’s words meant. They were only a family of five. Who could this sixth person be that Oyasama was referring to?

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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 15

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations

15. “Give All Your Possessions to Others”

When Izo moved into the Residence, Oyasama said:

“Give all your possessions to others. There is no need for you to bring a single thing. God will provide everything you need at the Residence.”

So Izo gave away most of his possessions. The only items that he brought with him from Ichinomoto were eight sliding doors, ten tray tables, a corner cabinet and 20 layers of bedding.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 9

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations,

The following is a translation of Part 9 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the September 2003 (No. 417) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. Note: This is a tentative translation may require further polishing and revision.

Part 9: Oyasama’s Cough

Shirobei Umetani worked as a plasterer in Osaka. He converted to the faith after returning to Jiba for the first time on February 20, 1881, and became a devoted follower. On May 14 of the same year, he received permission to form a confraternity of about 60 followers, which was named “Meishin-gumi.”
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A Thing Lent, A Thing Borrowed

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations,

The following is an exerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 27–32) by Koji Sato (佐藤浩司), assistant professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is tentative and may require further revision.

A Thing Lent, A Thing Borrowed

We often live our lives without thinking twice about our senses of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and ability to speak. Our blood transports the oxygen we breathe to the cells that make up our bones, tendons, and muscles. Our bodies are sustained because our cells are filled with moisture and work to join and support one another. Although we are unconscious and therefore not at all responsible for this process, we nevertheless believe that our bodies belong to us.
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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 14

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations,

14. Foretelling a Sister’s Passing

The following happened shortly after Izo received the Sazuke of Speech in about 1875. After working all day on the construction of the South Gatehouse, he went to bed upon returning home to Ichinomoto. Izo suddenly sat up on his futon in the middle of the night and said, “Separation of husband and wife, separation of husband and wife.”

Sato and the children were shocked and feared that Izo had gone insane. Izo then jumped a distance of about two meters and said: “I live about five ri (20 km) to the east. It is much too sad for me to have to leave behind my five children,” and began weeping before soundly falling back to sleep.

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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 8

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, ,

The following is a translation of Part 8 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the August 2003 (No. 416) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. Note: This is a tentative translation may require further polishing and revision.

Part 8: Steamed Sweet Potatoes

Taemon Yamada was from Koga County in Shiga Prefecture. He heard about God’s teachings for the first time in August 1887 and made a pilgrimage to Jiba that same month. He subsequently aspired to save others. By February 1888, when the 38th Shidokai Confraternity was formed as Taemon as head, he had already helped save 500 people.
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“All’s Well”

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations, ,

The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 22–27) by Koji Sato (佐藤浩司), assistant professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is tentative and may require further revision.

“All’s Well”

Genjiro Fukaya 深谷源次郎 (the first head minister of Kawaramachi Grand Church 河原町大教会) was a blacksmith in Kyoto. He was by nature an honest man and especially enjoyed anything he found cheerful.

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Fools are Desired by God

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations, , ,

The following is an excerpt from Omichi no joshiki [Tenrikyo Fundamentals] (pp. 19–22) by Koji Sato (佐藤浩司), assistant professor at Tenri University and instructor at Tenri Seminary. Note: This translation is tentative and may require further revision.

Fools are Desired by God

“Yamada-san, you’re a foolish person.”

Seibei Nishino 西野清兵衞 once said these words to Taemon Yamada 山田太右衞門, to whom he had introduced the faith.
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