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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 163

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama

163. Brothers Among Brothers (kyōdai no naka no kyōdai)

Oyasama once instructed:

“All of you who are living in this Residence are brothers among brothers. When one of you goes out somewhere, the rest of you should choose the best clothing from among your own, and have the person go out wearing it. Furthermore, those who happen to have money should put it together, even if it is only one or two sen from each, and give it as pocket money. And you should see him or her off in high spirits. This is what brothers and sisters should do.”

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 131

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 96

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96. Those Who have an Innen

Oyasama spoke these words to Tamezo Yamazawa in 1881 or 1882:

“God brings people of an innen and protects them. God says ‘Among the people brought here together, those whose hearts ring in harmony are to be united and live in this Residence.'”

Anecdotes of Oyasama, p. 80

Translation of “Sawa’s note”

“Tamezo Yamazawa’s father Ryojiro Yamazawa embraced the faith in Ganji 1 (1864) upon witnessing the miraculous cure of his elder sister Sono, wife of Chushichi Yamanaka. Tamezo married Oyasama’s granddaughter Hisa Kajimoto in April 1887. In 1905, he is appointed as the second minister of Asahi Shikyokai. He served as the chief officiant at the funeral of the first Shinbashira in 1915. He was acting superintendent of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters during the second Shinbashira’s youth and became the first president of the Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association when it was founded in 1918. He passed away on July 20, 1936 at the age of 80.”

Insight from Kazuhiro Hatakama sensei

Kazuhiro Hatakama briefly touches on Anecdotes 96 in the conclusion of his article covering Anecdotes 90. In this article, he suggests there be a third category of innen or causality — causality of (divine) guidance — in addition to the two established categories of the “original causality” and each individual’s “personal causality.” Hatakama sensei writes it is possible to consider the instructions from Anecdotes 90 as applicable to individuals (plus their families) who were guided and drawn to serve and/or live at the Residence and went on to contribute to the nascent period of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters. He then suggests this process shows an example of causality of (divine) guidance at work. Regarding Oyasama’s instruction in Anecdotes 96, although it was specifically given to Tamezo Yamazawa, it is similarly applicable to all the people who came to serve at the Residence despite the wide disparity of their respective backgrounds. The instruction “Among the people brought here together, those whose hearts ring in harmony are to be united and live in this Residence” must have been one that sought to have these people who found themselves in the same situation to recognize that it was innen/causality that brought them all together. The following verse also pretty much teaches the same notion,

People come to Me from whatever places. It is because they all are of the original1 causality.

Ofudesaki 4:54

Hatakama sensei discusses a lot more, but I’ll refrain from divulging any more. (Admittedly, his writing has a complexity that makes it a task to summarize accurately with much confidence on my part.)

My take

Given the abysmal spiritual state I happen to be in at the moment, the notion that my heart should ring in harmony with the people around me admittedly rings a little hollow. The longer I’m here, the less I feel I have in common with anyone. Someone get me out of here! (In due time, hopefully….)

Bibliography

  • Hatakama Kazuhiro. 2006. “Tsuzuku ri: 90 ‘Ichi-dai yori ni-dai’.” In Itsuwa-hen ni manabu iki-kata 2. Tenri: Tenri Daigaku Oyasato Kenkyūsho, pp. 31-50.
  • Tenrikyo Church Headquarters. 1976. Anecdotes of Oyasama, the Foundress of Tenrikyo. Tenri: Tenrikyo Church Headquarters.

Further reading

External links 

  • innen (by Kikuo Tanaka)

Note

  1.  A note on the translation of this verse: the original Japanese verse makes no mention of any “original” causality. It is merely “innen” in the Japanese. “It is because they all share causality” may be a translation a little more true to the original. ↩

Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 87

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87. Because People Like You

Oyasama had previously told Izo Iburi to return quickly to the Residence to live. But because he then had three children, when he thought of the future he worried so much that he could not make the decision to move.

His second daughter, Masae, soon became afflicted with an eye disease, and his only son, Masajin, suddenly became unable to talk. Recognizing this as a warning from God, their mother, Osato, saw Oyasama and told Her “Although we wished to return to the Residence as soon as possible, we could not make the move because the people of Ichinomoto were so kind to us. Your words are uppermost in our minds as we reluctantly pass each day without complying with your wish.” Oyasama said to her:

“Because people like you, God also likes you. While people regret to see you leave, God also regrets not seeing you here. As long as people are fond of you, God also sees promise in you.”

Osato then said, “However, our children are still so small. Please wait until they grow older.” Oyasama told her:

“It is because you have children that you have joy and promise. There would not be such joy and promise if there were only the parents. Please return quickly.”

“We will certainly return,” Osato promised. By the time she arrived home the two children had already received wonderful blessings and had completely recovered their health. In September 1881, Osato and the two children who had been saved preceded Izo in living at the Residence.

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 73–74

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Blogging Anecdotes of Oyasama 78

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78. A Rich Man’s Residence

This is a story that Oyasama told Kiku Masui:

“Those who live in this Residence — if they want to eat good food, wear good clothes, and live in good houses, then they will not be able to stay in this Residence.

If only they do not think of eating good food, wearing good clothes, or living in good houses, will every daily need be met in this Residence. This is the real ‘rich man’s residence’ in the world.”

Anecdotes of Oyasama, pp. 66–67

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