Is it possible to find tranquility in the middle of Tokyo? Today we explore the \u5929\u7406\u6559\u65e5\u6771\u7d00\u5206\u6559\u4f1a a place of worship rooted in a unique Japanese faith. It offers a different spiritual perspective.
The \u5929\u7406\u6555\u65e5\u6771\u7d00\u5206\u6555\u4f1a belongs to Tenrikyo. Tenrikyo is neither strictly monotheistic nor pantheistic. It emerged from the teachings of Nakayama Miki in the 19th century. Her followers call her Oyasama. They believe she was the Shrine of God.
Tenrikyo followers recognize several names for God. These include Tsukihi Tenri-O-no-Mikoto and Oyagamisama. The faith aims to teach and promote the Joyous Life. This is achieved through charity and mindfulness called hinokishin.
The Tenrikyo Church Headquarters supports many local churches. There are over 16000 in Japan. The faith has about 1.75 million followers in Japan. It is estimated to have over 2 million worldwide.
The \u5929\u7406\u6555\u65e5\u6771\u7d00\u5206\u6555\u4f1a like other Tenrikyo churches emphasizes key teachings. One such teaching is Tannō. This means joyous acceptance. It encourages a constructive attitude toward troubles and difficulties. Jūzen-no-Shugo another teaching involves ten principles of creation. These exist in two-in-one relationships. They apply continuously throughout the universe.
The Joyous Life involves charity and abstaining from negative emotions. These emotions include greed selfishness hatred anger and arrogance. Tenrikyo does not consider these as sins. Rather they are dust. Followers sweep them away through hinokishin and prayer. Hinokishin is voluntary effort done out of gratitude.
A core teaching is kashimono-karimono. It means a thing lent a thing borrowed. This refers to the human body. Followers consider their minds under their control. However their bodies are not completely so.
Tenrikyo teaches that Tenri-O-no-Mikoto created humankind. The purpose was for humans to live joyously and share in that joy. The body is borrowed but the mind is one’s own. Thus Tenri-O-no-Mikoto is not omnipotent.
Tenrikyo’s doctrine names four properties of Tenri-O-no-Mikoto. God became openly revealed in the world. God is the creator of the world and humankind. God sustains and protects all creation. God is the savior intending to save all humankind.
The \u5929\u7406\u6555\u65e5\u6771\u7d00\u5206\u6555\u4f1a performs恒例祭日 or fixed festival days. 元旦祭 is performed every year on January 1st at 6 am. 春季大祭 is performed every year on January 8th at 12:30 pm. 秋季大祭 is performed every year on October 8th at 12:30 pm. 月次祭 is performed every month on the 8th at 12:30 pm. But for January and October, the service performed is大祭. 春季霊祭 is performed every year on March 18th at 2 pm. 秋季霊祭 is performed every year on September 18th at 2 pm.
Other events include 婦人会例会 a women’s meeting on the 18th of each month at 1 pm. 青年会例会 a youth meeting on the 28th of each month at 1 pm. 少年会鼓笛隊 Boy’s and Girl’s Club Fife and Drum Corps on every Saturday.
As we conclude our visit remember that the \u5929\u7406\u6555\u65e5\u6771\u7d00\u5206\u6555\u4f1a stands as a testament to faith. It is a place for reflection and community. It embodies the principles of the Joyous Life.