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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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 44

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, , ,

The following is a translation of Part 44 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the August 2006 (No. 452) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 44: “God Will Make Everything Work Out”

There was a time when Genjiro Fukaya, the first head minister of Kawaramachi Grand Church, tripped over a hammer when he was still working as a blacksmith and hit his forehead, leaving a large bump on his forehead. Genjiro instantly shouted out, “Oh, how it hurts. How thankful I am, how thankful I am!”

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Post-26 Report (July 2008)

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Fourth Installment of “Savoring the Realm of the Mikagura-uta” Lecture Series

The fourth lecture of “Savoring the Realm of the Mikagura-uta” lecture series sponsored by the Oyasato Institute for the Study of Religion was held at 13:00 on July 25. (It was held on the sixth floor of the Tenrikyo Doyusha building.) The lecturer this month was Kazuhiro Hatakama sensei and he was assigned to discuss the so-called “Section Three” or “Third Section” (Dai-sansetsu) of the Mikagura-uta:

Ashiki o harōte tasuke sekikomu ichiretsu sumashite Kanrodai

(“Sweeping away evils, hasten to save us. All mankind equally purified, the Kanrodai”).

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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 63

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations,

63. Dancing in the Dead of Night

The Osashizu (Divine Directions) mentioned from time to time that the Honseki was like a three-year-old child. The truth of these words may not be readily apparent, but the story of someone who stayed at the Honseki’s residence one night gives credence to God’s words.

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Naorai (Post-Service Meal)

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations, ,

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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The Footsteps of Our Predecessors 43

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations, , ,

The following is a translation of Part 43 of the series “Senjin no sokuseki” (Footsteps of Our Predecessors) from the July 2006 (No. 451) issue of Taimo, pp. 34–35. This translation is a provisional one at the moment and may require further revision.

Part 43: The Joy of Having Nothing

After World War II, large numbers of Japanese abandoned Korea for Japan. Among them were Tenrikyo ministers and followers who left behind the churches they helped build with many years of dedication. Among them were those who dragged enough luggage that it towered to their eyeballs. Unable to arrange their belongings as they rode the steam train taking them away, they brought their luggage into the passenger train, laid them on the floor, and sat on them.

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Anecdotes of the Honseki Izo Iburi 62

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations, ,

62. Treating Everyone in an Equal Manner

The Honseki treated everyone in the same manner, whoever they happened to be. He showed compassion particularly to those who were not well off. He liked to give things to others, so when he passed away for rebirth he had but only a few coins in his possession. But there was never a time when he failed to offer anything to God the Parent.

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Churches

Tenrikyo Fundamentals, Translations, ,

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

Footsteps of Our Predecessors, Translations,

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

Honseki: Anecdotes, Translations, ,

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.

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