Tenrikyo - The Reason of Heaven

Tenrikyo Scriptures:

Though there is undoubtedly someone who is capable of summarizing all of the panel presentations from the Tenri Forum 2006, that someone is not me. Instead I will offer those points that attracted my attention and interest during the presentations that I attended and in some cases the discussions that followed.

There were two presentations on Tenrikyo Scriptures, I found them both to be interesting and provocative. The presentation concerned with the Choto Hanashi section of the seated service awakened in me an understanding of the opposing hand gestures ( the index fingers reversed in front of the face "kono yo no"as a representation of relationship between the moon and sun; one original constant light reflected as a light that appears to be born, go through changes and die only to appear to be born again. At least that is what immediately occurred to me when I heard the words moon and sun and finding them in myself  instantly made the whole exercise joyous and well worth while. I will drop my logo in on the bottom of the page in case you would like to play. The three elements of the logo are actually one. Can you find them in yourself?

The presentation on the "Timely Talks" (Osashizu) was also very provocative. The suggestion was made that it is time to begin the work of translating all of the "Timely Talks". That is a suggestion that I totally agree with as I cannot read Japanese and would like to be able to access more of the talks and directives. In the discussion that followed it was also noted that it is rumored that the "Timely Talks" contain detailed information that would be useful for missionary work. One way to settle on their content would be to make them available. In my own case the "Timely Talks" that have been translated into English seem to me to be remarkably consistent. In every case worldly common questions are asked only to be answered with the very non-worldly common reason of heaven. This, it seems to me, makes them seem difficult to understand as long as one holds onto the expectation of a worldly common answer because no worldly common answer is ever offered. When, however, they are viewed as a dialog between the one truth and the many worldly common truths of the self-centered imagination then they are really quite clear in their meaning.

I was surprised that the "Tip of the Writing Brush" didn't make it into the Forum. If we are not able to discuss the poems then who is? I would have been glad to say something about the poems in fifteen minutes or less.

It seemed to me that the entire Forum was concerned with issues of language and culture. I cannot remember the context but I believe that they were also raised during this section. I will, I am sure, mention this again but there are three rather easy ways to settle these issues and I hope that we can move beyond them as they are, in my opinion a waste of time. The first way is to view language and culture in the context of the time and place in which the teachings were revealed. Oyasama spoke of Her contemporary culture as being worldly common and completely lacking in understanding. That doesn't sound like something that we need to spend much time holding onto. The second way is to copy Oyasama's model of Parental Love. From that point of view all human beings have an equal access to the truth of origin and are treated without any discrimination between one or another. Worldly common languages and cultures are generally understood to create barriers between people. When we copy Oyasama's model of Parental Love we are committed to removing barriers and will hasten single-hearted salvation for all human beings equally. The third way is to return the mind to its origin and take the point of view of single-heartedness with God. From that point of view everything is understood as being God and what God says and does. A self-centered imagination with the truth of origin revealed and clearly understood as its foundation is at play in a world of Joy and is free and unlimited in its workings. 

Next time: Talking About Tenrikyo Spirituality