NEWPATH TENRIKYO - BRIEFLY PONDERING RECOLLECTIONS OF THE TEACHING

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

"What materials did we utilize to compile this Doctrine of Tenrikyo? Needless to say, we based ourselves primarily on the Ofudesaki, The Tip of the Writing Brush."

I would like to draw attention and ponder the significance of the word "we", as it appears in the quotation above. This word implies that there was consent and collaboration, people working together toward a common goal were involved in the preparation of this Restoration Doctrine.

We are instructed that from the very beginning, the creation of human beings required the consent of the instruments that would be used toward the goal of creating human beings; so that they might all equally enjoy the joy of being alive, the joyous life. We are now at a stage of development where a problem within the construction of the human mind has been identified; and as a result human beings are now being asked to give their consent to engage in being instrumental in the work of reconstruction of their own human mind, as well as consenting to help others to do so; in so doing, hastening and collaborating in the completion of the work of creation, so that the original intention of joy in life for all equally can be realized.

Among human self-centered imaginations, no two of which are exactly the same, arriving at a consensus is extremely difficult. That is particularly so when the topic involves varying interpretations of deeply held truths of the world. For that reason we are shown models of ways to completely calm and settle our self-centered thoughts. The "test" of the "mind like clear water" being the ultimate proof of the quality of our work. (Ofudesaki III,7)