NEWPATH TENRIKYO - BRIEFLY PONDERING RECOLLECTIONS OF THE TEACHING

           From "Lectures on the Doctrine of Tenrikyo" by Shozen Nakayama the 2nd Shinbashira of Tenrikyo

"Now, what exactly did Oyasama teach? The answer is indicated by the title of chapter 2, 'The Path of Single-hearted Salvation.' The path consists of two components:  the Service of the Kanrodai and the Sazuke, the Divine Grant. Taking up these two especially, chapter 2 describes Oyasama's teaching that pertain to Her methods of spiritual reconstruction of human beings with their cloudy minds, even in their present life. This chapter devotes special attention to the Kagura Service. Her methods of single-hearted salvation are effective in any situation-whether one refers to "knots" encountered as illness, trouble, or whatever.

One way of getting a handle on Oyasama's method of teaching is to begin by following the order of instruction; that is to first completely calm one's own mind and then ponder deeply on the implications of the truth of one's mind, the truth of all things in detail that remains. After that awakening, one can if one wishes begin to work on finding ways for other minds to awaken. As previously discussed, the model shows tireless effort that is appropriate for the present circumstance. That implies finding ways that are appropriate for the time, place and level of maturity of those that Oyasama's instruments would engage with.