How does a religion originating in 19th-century Japan find its place in modern Tokyo? That is the story of Tenrikyo Daigiri Branch Church. This branch church is a part of the Tenrikyo religion. Tenrikyo originated from the teachings of Nakayama Miki. Followers call her Oyasama.
Tenrikyo is a Japanese new religion. It is neither strictly monotheistic nor pantheistic. Tenrikyo teaches followers to strive for the Joyous Life. They achieve this through charity and mindfulness. These acts are called hinokishin. The Tenrikyo Church Headquarters supports many local churches. They also focus on community organizations. Tenrikyo has about 1.75 million followers in Japan. Worldwide, there are over 2 million followers.
The ultimate goal is building the Kanrodai. This is a divinely ordained pillar. It stands in an axis mundi called the Jiba. The Kagura ritual is performed around the Kanrodai. This will supposedly bring salvation to all. The Jiba is the origin of earthly creation. This idea is called moto-no-ri. Visiting the Jiba is returning to one’s origin. It is known as returning to O-Jiba. The greeting “okaeri nasai” means welcome home. It is often seen in Tenri City hotels.
Key Tenrikyo teachings include joyous acceptance. This is a constructive attitude toward troubles. Another teaching is Juzen-no-Shugo. These are ten principles involved in creation. These exist in two-in-one relationships. They apply continuously throughout the universe.
The Joyous Life involves charity. It also involves avoiding negative emotions. These include greed and selfishness. Tenrikyo does not consider negative tendencies as sins. Instead, they are dust. People sweep away dust through hinokishin and prayer. Hinokishin is voluntary effort. It stems from gratitude.
Kashimono-karimono is a basic Tenrikyo teaching. It means a thing lent, a thing borrowed. The human body is borrowed. Followers control their minds. However, their bodies are not completely under their control.
Tenrikyo teaches that Tenri-O-no-Mikoto created humankind. This God wants humans to live joyously. The body is borrowed. However, the mind is one’s own. Thus, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto is not all-powerful.
Nakayama conveyed the divine concept in steps. First, she used the term Kami. This meant spirit or god. Then, she used Tsukihi. This meant Moon-Sun. Finally, she used Oya meaning Parent. This showed a loving relationship between divine and humans. Followers call God Oyagamisama or God the Parent.
Innen is causality in Tenrikyo. It is similar to karmic beliefs. However, Tenrikyo’s doctrine differs in some ways. Karma involves cause and effect. Good actions lead to good karma. Bad actions lead to bad karma. Tenrikyo uses the farming metaphor. Every seed sown will sprout.
The soul is reborn in Tenrikyo. The soul takes on a new body from God. Though reborn, people have no memory of their previous life. Thoughts and deeds mark the soul. They carry over as causality.
Original causality is that God created humans for joy. The Joyous Life will eventually encompass all humanity. Individual causality guides people. Suffering leads to change of heart. They then work toward the Joyous Life.
The Tenrikyo doctrine names three causalities. These predetermined Tenrikyo’s founding. The Causality of the Soul of Oyasama refers to Miki Nakayama’s soul. The Causality of the Residence means the Nakayama Residence is where humans were conceived. The Causality of the Promised Time refers to October 26, 1838.
Tenrikyo scriptures include the Ofudesaki, Mikagura-uta, and Osashizu. The Ofudesaki is a collection of poems by Miki Nakayama. The Mikagura-uta is the text of the Service. The Osashizu records oral revelations by Izo Iburi. The Doctrine of Tenrikyo explains basic teachings.
Tenrikyo includes various groups. These range from large churches to disaster relief corps. Tenri Judo is a successful competition style.
Tenrikyo grew despite persecution. In 1908, it gained independence from State Shinto. It began social work opening an orphanage and a school for the blind. Today, Tenrikyo shares traditions with Japanese religious practice.
Tenrikyo utilizes traditional musical instruments. These include hyoshigi and shamisen. They play music from the Mikagura-uta. Gagaku music is also promoted.
Daily services involve the seated service. These sweep away the Eight Mental Dusts of the mind. Hinokishin is an expression of gratitude. Monthly services involve the entire Mikagura-uta. The Divine Grant of Sazuke is a healing prayer.
Tenrikyo has spread outside Japan. It has centers in Southeast Asia and America. Tenrikyo adapts its message to various cultures.
So as you stand before Tenrikyo Daigiri Branch Church remember its story. It is a story of faith. It is a story of adaptation. It is a story of striving for a Joyous Life.