No. 350 Origins Mar-Apr 2021

TSA Spring Hinokishin at Dendocho

BGA Virtual Spring Camp (4/3)

Tenrikyo Mission Headquarters of Hawaii 1 March Monthly Appearing before You, the Parent, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, I, Shugo Yamanaka, Bishop of the Mission Headquarters of Hawaii, speak with reverence on behalf of the Hawaii congregation. God the Parent, out of Your deep parental love for us human beings, Your children, You have been protecting us with Your boundless providence. Furthermore, You have been encouraging our spiritual growth, gradually through various timely trainings, thus guiding us toward the . For this we are truly grateful. With Oyasama’s Divine Model as the basis to correctly guide our , we have been striving daily for our work of the path. Today is the day we are granted to conduct the March Monthly Service at this mission headquarters. In the same manner as in previous months, we, thirty-some performers who have gathered here, with enough sincerity to represent all the other service performers and members of the congregation who cannot be here today, will now unite our hearts as one, by synchronizing with the recorded singing of the Mikagura-uta by the third and perform the Seated Service and the Dance with Hand Movements joyously in high spirits. We will earnestly pray for world salvation, especially for the ending of the current pandemic even a day sooner, and also for the recovery from the damages caused by the recent natural disasters, and the stopping of the rising anti-Asian violence. Even though we cannot conduct the normal church or activities under the current difficult situations due to the pandemic lasting over a year, each and every one of us shall maintain a firm sense of awareness as follower of this path and keep firmly trusting in God the Parent’s workings and the everliving Oyasama’s guidance. Thus we are firmly determined to live the way of the Joyous Life each day, first with people right around us, by helping, supporting, delighting, and encouraging each other, and continue to do so even further, positively and brightly looking forward to what lies ahead, so as to respond to God the Parent’s intention. May You, God the Parent, accept our sincerity, and we ask that You allow us human beings to overcome the current great crisis even a day sooner, seeing a great bud sprouting from this great knot, and guide us toward the realization of a Joyous Life World to bring about a true world peace. Together with all present, I sincerely pray that You bless us so. 2 3 Mission HQ April Monthly Service Sermon Rev. Ito Head Minister of Pukalani Mission Station

This is in print only, not delivered at the children. Miki played with younger children monthly service. during the busy harvest season so their parents wouldn’t worry about them. She also Happy Spring! It’s been more than a year studied and had a desire to become since I came to Hawaii Dendocho to pray a Buddhist nun. Miki was so gifted, kind, in person. With the COVID-19 pandemic, and helpful that She had a marriage proposal airports and airplanes are considered places when She was 13 years old. The Nakayamas that can spread the virus because of its closed watched how special Miki was as they were space. Plus I would need to get a COVID test related so wanted Miki for their son Zenbei. and test negative to return to Maui without At first She refused, but the Nakayamas being quarantined for 10 days. Additionally, agreed to let Her study Buddhism after since I’m in my 70s, I’m considered to be Her chores were done. Although Miki in the vulnerable group. Thus my daughter had married into the prominent Nakayama discourages me from traveling. At the family, She still worked very hard and was Dendocho services, no in-person sermons respectful and an ideal housewife. She was so have been given, but we can be grateful that highly regarded that at the age of 16, Miki’s the teachings can be spread through print. in-laws entrusted Her with the management Since April is the month the Foundress of of the Nakayama household. Tenrikyo, Oyasama, was born, my sermon At the age of 24, Miki gave birth to will be concentrated on Her life. Her first child, Zenyemon, who was later On the morning of April 18, 1798, Miki renamed Shuji. She also gave birth to 5 more Maegawa whom we now refer to as Oyasama children, all girls. Thus Miki was living a was born. It is said that a five-colored cloud relatively good life at that time. appeared above Her place of birth. Could that Then one day in October of 1837, Shuji’s have already been an indication that She was leg hurt terribly as he worked in the fields. a special baby? The doctor couldn’t find a cause so he From the age of three, Miki was already suggested being prayed for by a monk. so different from other children that the Incantations were done for Shuji, and the neighbors spoke highly of Her. At an early pain went away, but it would return again age, She excelled in sewing by observing Her and again. mother, skillfully spun cotton, and knitted or A year later, on October 23, 1838, in sewed things to share with the neighborhood addition to Shuji’s leg pain, Zenbei had

2 3 trouble with his eyes, and Miki had a severe others happy and relieve their sufferings. She back pain. At the incantation soon held, Miki even mortgaged Her property to help others. was asked to be the medium. The prayer staff An ordinary person would not give up one’s shook violently, and from the mouth of Miki material possessions and live in poverty and the words came: still be happy and think positively. When Her “I am God of Origin, God in Truth. At children complained that they had no rice to this time, I have descended here to save all eat, Oyasama said: humankind. I wish to receive Miki as the “There are those who are suffering Shrine of God.” unable to eat or swallow water despite food Everyone could not understand God’s piled high by their bedside. When we drink intent, and Zenbei declined. But God would water, it tastes of water. God the Parent not accept the refusal and said: has blessed us with exquisite gifts.” “You shall do as God of Origin wills While the Christians ask, “What would and comply with my demand. I shall save do?” Tenrikyo followers should ask, all humankind if you will listen to Me. If “What would Oyasama do?” She certainly you should object to it, I shall destroy this showed us the model we should follow, but house so completely that not a trace of it it is not easy to do. For example, if you see will remain.” a homeless person or beggar, do you help It took 3 days before Zenbei finally said, them? I’m sure Oyasama would have given “I offer Miki to You.” This was at 8:00 on them what She had. I tend to not look at the morning of October 26, 1838, and it was them and keep a distance. My reasoning is the day Tenrikyo began. Miki Nakayama that some of those people are alcoholics or became the Shrine of God at the age of 41. on drugs or mentally ill so should be left to The of God the Parent settled within the professionals. A friend told me that her Her and She began to convey the teachings husband gave his sandwich to a homeless for saving all humankind. Miki Nakayama is person by Walmart one day and that person considered the Foundress of Tenrikyo and our looked at it and threw it in the trash. He role model. We call Her Oyasama. wanted cash. After hearing a story like that, Through Oyasama, God the Parent you further hesitate helping the homeless. revealed that human beings were created Oyasama also helped others by saving so God could see them live joyously and them from illnesses and offering them the share in that joy. Oyasama not only taught Grant of Safe Childbirth and even the us how to live the Joyous Life, but She was of the fertilizer for rich harvests. the model for us to follow. She demonstrated From 1866 to 1882, that’s 16 years, living happily and helping others. She gave Oyasama taught the importance of the away many of her material possessions from Salvation Service as the way to universal rice, food, clothes, and furnishings to make salvation and a way to have all human beings 4 5 lead a Joyous Life. joyously and in unison, God the Parent Human beings are loaned our bodies from will bless us with any kind of salvation.” God the Parent but were given free use of So thank you to those who attend the Church their mind in order that people could live the Headquarters’, Dendocho’s and the local Joyous Life. Tenrikyo church’s services whenever you are able to, thus contributing to world salvation. With human beings, the body is a thing What else can we do to help the world? lent by God, a thing borrowed. The mind *Let’s put the teachings into practice by alone is yours. living the Joyous Life and share that joy , June 1, 1889 with others with kindness, salvation , compassion, and by helping each other. Have As people mistakenly think that they exist you noticed that in this coronavirus pandemic by their own power, God must be really and whenever there are disasters, non-profit disappointed with people’s thoughts and organizations, churches, volunteers, and maybe regrets giving us free use of our mind. neighbors turn out to help? It’s so uplifting Human thinking tends to be self-centered and to hear on the news of these unselfish acts full of “dusts of the mind,” like miserliness, of kindness. covetousness, hatred, self-love, grudge, anger, greed and arrogance. People hurt Only when your joy brings joy to others, others and treat others poorly, and many think can it be called true joy. If you enjoy they are superior to others instead of treating yourselves while causing others to each other like family. suffer, this cannot be called true joy. Osashizu, December 11, 1897 All of you throughout the world are brothers and sisters. There should be *Let’s lean on God the Parent and Oyasama. no one called an outsider. Three years ago, I had my ovaries removed XIII – 43 as there was a cyst growing on it. It didn’t hurt or anything and I had the cyst for years. Oyasama taught the Salvation Service as The doctor decided it was time to remove it a way to purify the human mind and lead as ovaries have a tendency to turn cancerous them to the Joyous Life. She emphasized as we age. I had laparoscopic surgery done performing the Services at a time when where the incision was small and less members were afraid to do so because they invasive. feared for Her safety. We are fortunate not to The day before surgery, I went to my have to fear religious persecution when we church to have prayer done and after the do the services. surgery, though still unsteady from the Oyasama said, “If we perform the service anesthesia, went to the church to get prayed 4 5 for again. God must surely be disappointed in A week later, Bishop’s wife called if I could humankind as the world has really been participate in the discussions the Women’s disrupted with the latest pandemic. Human Association was having at Dendocho before greed and self-centered ways must have the monthly service. As I still hadn’t gone to really angered God. my follow-up appointment with the doctor, I told her I would let her know in a few days. Illness and pain of whatever kind do I went to see the doctor, and she said I not exist. They are none other than the could carry on as usual. After the clearance hastening and guidance of God. from the doctor, I did come to Oahu two and Ofudesaki II-7 a half weeks after the surgery. For those who don’t know, I live on Maui With these times of the COVID-19 so I need to catch a plane to Oahu. People pandemic uncertain, are we going to get were surprised as several friends had similar paranoid and live with anxiety and fear surgery and said it took them several months or should we lean on God the Parent and to recover. I was told I shouldn’t carry more Oyasama? It doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t than 10 pounds, but you know most luggage take precautions or follow the CDC safety weighs more than that. Another friend even protocols or the laws. We just need to told me she had someone clean her house understand that God the Parent has a reason for several months. I just told them that the for this. There have been other plagues such doctor said I could do things as usual and as bubonic, cholera, and smallpox which didn’t give me any restrictions. Of course, I sickened or killed many, but it has passed. did feel some discomfort if I overdid things, So let’s continue to do the services and pray but in general I felt fine. I think it was all due for others and the world, and live with joy to leaning on God the Parent and Oyasama and gratitude for all the blessings you have. before, during, and after the surgery. Thank you for reading.

Mission HQ Personnel Changes On Feb. 16, Miss Michiko Uno (Koshinokuni GC) returned to after her 2-month hinokishin. Mahalo for her great efforts! On Feb. 18, Mr. Kazuhito Mizuno (Hon’ai GC) arrived to serve as new seinen, and on March 25, Miss Ayumi Yoshida (Oka GC) arrived to serve as new joshi-seinen. Please extend your aloha when you see them at Dendocho!

6 7 Overseas Dept. Personnel Changes Newlyweds! Following the reappointments of Directors- On March 6, 2021, in-Chief of Administrative and Religious Sidney Nakao (Net Affairs, the Overseas Dept. announced new Hawaii MS) and Sally personnel changes: Rev. Masaharu Matsuda Kawasaki (Aloha as head, Rev. Akira Nakata as vice head, and Church) got married Rev. Hideki as chief of North America at Hawaii Dendocho. & Oceania Section. Congratulations and PDF Version of the Tenrikyo Newsletter Best Wishes to the The quarterly Tenrikyo newsletter will be new Mr. & Mrs. published only in electronic form from May Nakao! 2021. Please download the PDF version of the newsletter from the URL or QR code as follows: https://kaigai.tenrikyo. or.jp/newsletter/ BGA Virtual Spring Camp Event Virtual Spring Camp event was held on April 3. The activity included message by Bishop Yamanaka, short talk by Mrs. Yamanaka and vitual tours of Hawaii Dendocho and . The Hungry Reporter water, add a few more tablespoons, just enough to get it barely wet throughout. Cover the mixing bowl with Who said No Need Bread?! I would choose to disagree, plastic wrap and let it rest overnight for 12-18 hours at bread is a lovely compliment to any meal! I do know, bread room temperature. can be hard work to make, but if you don’t want to go 2. PREP FOR BAKING: Preheat oven to 450 degrees. through the work it usually takes to make a loaf, I found Place a 6 quart enamel coated cast iron dutch oven (or a great “No Knead” recipe. The outside is crusty and soft similar) in oven as oven heats. Dough should be big, on the inside. You need to let it stand overnight but it is puffy, pretty loose with bubbles in it. Gently scrape worth the wait. You can even try a Gluten Free version by dough out on to a well-floured surface. (Remember: using Almond Flour or any Gluten free substitute. Hope NO KNEAD.) Gently shape into a ball coating flour on you like this. No Knead Bread outside, on a piece of parchment, and cover with Ingredients: plastic as your pan heats up. 3 cups All-Purpose Flour 3. BAKE: Remove the plastic 1 ½ tsp Salt from the dough. Lift the dough and ½ tsp Instant Yeast parchment together into the pan so 1 ½ cups Room Temperature Water parchment lines the bottom of the hot Directions: pan. Bake, covered for 30 minutes. 1. DOUGH PREP: In a large mixing bowl, whisk the Remove the cover and bake another flour, salt, and yeast together until mixed. Stir in water 10-15 minutes so exterior is a nice until a chunky, thick dough forms. If it needs a little more crispy golden brown. 6 7 Tenrikyo Hawaii Dendocho Nonprofit Org. 2920 Pali Highway U.S. Postage Honolulu, Hawaii 96817 PAID Phone: (808) 595-6523, fax: (808) 595-7748 Honolulu, HI e-mail: [email protected] Permit No. 570

You are invited to join:

8