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Tenrikyo (天理教; lit. Teaching of Divine Reason) is a
universal
religion of
Japanese origin with a following of several million. It was founded by
a female peasant, Nakayama Miki, who underwent a revelatory experience
from 1838 onwards. After this date she is referred to as Oyasama (lit.
Honoured Parent) by followers.
The focus of the religion is to attain the 'joyous life' on Earth
through charity and abstention from greed, a self-serving life, hatred,
anger and arrogance.
Adherents believe in a single
god,
Tenri-O-no-Mikoto (lit. "Lord of Divine Reason", but the term is used
as a name-label rather than as a description), who is defined as the
creator and caring parent of all mankind. Continuing reincarnation is part
of the religion, but is not a major emphasis. Key teachings include:
Moto-no-Ri - the principle of origin; Kashimono-Karimono (a thing lent, a
thing borrowed) - the nature relationship between the human body and God;
Hinokishin - voluntary effort (often charitable or public-service); Tanno
(true acceptance) - a constructive attitude towards troubles, illness and
difficulties; and Juzen-no-Shugo - ten principles or providences involved
in the creation which exist in Futatsu Hitotsu (two-in-one relationships).
In Tenrikyo there are three successive levels of understanding of the
nature of God: the first is Kami which is God as understood in every day
terms, the second is Tsukihi (lit. Moon Sun), or God as the creator of
nature and natural laws, and lastly Oya (Parent), or God as the parent of
human beings. It is important to note that these terms refer to three
successive levels of people's understanding of one single God as they grow
in spiritual maturity.
The spiritual center of the religion is in what was formerly Shoyashiki
Village, now part of Tenri city in the
Nara
prefecture. The main shrine complex centres around the Jiba, believed
to be the central point of the creation. The senior religious leader is
referred to as the Shimbashira (lit. Main Post). Many metaphors from
building and carpentry are used in Tenrikyo teachings which view the
construction of a better, joyous world as a step-by-step process in which
people can make small steps towards progress through working together
collaboratively.
Tenrikyo teachings, despite emphasising group effort, allow for a
significant degree of individuality among different followers -
differences are seen as complimentary, and the overall organisation is
subdivided into many different groups with common goals but differing
focus. These range from different regional Daikyokai (lit. Great Teaching
Groups), to disaster relief corps, medical staffs and a hospital, a
university, an extensive museum, one of the largest libraries in Japan,
various schools and several others.
Tenri Judo is renowned as a successful competition style of Judo that
has produced many champions, and there are also other sporting and arts
interest groups within Tenrikyo.
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