Join us in creating a great spiritual outlet and communications resource

for our community of Yoboku and fellow members!

All suggestions are welcome! In This Issue September Speech Page 1-2

Rev. Ken Hasegawa Page 3

There are definitely tragedies or circumstances that surround us which we can all agree are bad and unfortunate. When these things occur in our lives, we must step back and initially try to reflect on the situation and see, to what extent, these situations were within our own control. With what seeds did these situations bear fruit? How we use our hearts and minds as we go through our life is one of the fundamental teachings we emphasize in Tenrikyo. Our fate in life is not merely determined by any sort of outside force. If our hearts change, our actions change; with our actions, we determine the course of the opportunities or circumstances that will surround us. Once we affect the course of our circumstances, our surroundings become affected by them and the people and things that come our way are the character reflections of what we have established. This is path we have chosen to walk. There are many situations that may seem outside of our immediate control, but the outcome to those situations rely solely on how we respond to them. Our spiritual maturity and full awareness of the laws of life are constantly being tested with every struggle. In society, we are aware that the laws are very important to know if we

wish to have a civilized society. However, just because there are laws in a society, it doesn’t mean that we no longer have the responsibility to ponder the intentions behind it’s creation. Oyasama once said, “Sah, sah, because Tsukihi exists, the world exists. Because the world exists, things exist. Because things exist, your bodies exist. Because your bodies exist, law exists. Although the law exists, to resolve your mind is primary.” Lately, many people have drawn lines between themselves and those that they feel are not up to their own ideals. Then, they have chosen to look at the other side as unlikeable, unfeeling, one dimensional caricatures of humans that are not capable of knowing right from wrong. Unfortunately, it seems that this idealistic passion in the heart has only created deeper anger and an eagerness to fight or hurt the other side and anything associated with it. Like the anger that has been witnessed in other lands to the anger that we witness between each other. Suddenly, the great and loving intentions of whatever side we are on have become overshadowed by a hatred and anger that creates more conflict, sufferings, and an eagerness to vilify or even hurt others who may not see things in the same way. What purpose does this serve in our overall beliefs? Is this hatred and anger consistent

z Rev. Aiko Hasegawa zSeptember Speech

O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2

NC newsletter2 0 1 2 A U T U M N E D I T I O N

the

Tenrikyo Northern California Church

2840 Davis RoadWest Sacramento, CA

95691

Phone:916-371-9419

Fax:916-371-4418

E-mail:Joyouslifeline@gmail.com

Tenrikyo Websites:www.tenrikyo.or.jpwww.tenrikyo.comwww.honjima.com

Or join us on Facebook:Tenrikyo Nc Church

ncchurch

joyouslife

with our deepest beliefs of what we are striving for or have we become the exact caricature that we have drawn in our minds of the other side? This should be a time to use our faith we have in what we truly believe to take a step down from our heated emotions and try to reflect on the scene unfolding right before our eyes. Otherwise, with what intentions are we truly attacking the other side? If it is for the mere instant feeling of satisfaction that something is being done, then the rooted belief that we hold must be re-evaluated within ourselves. How much do we truly value what we believe? How much hard work are we willing to do inside of ourselves for the ultimate purpose we believe will make us all happy? If we are going to demand a certain level of enlightenment in others, with what effort are we demanding that level of enlightenment in ourselves? We all believe we are doing the best we can everyday. We all forgive ourselves when we fail to match that perfection and try to move on with our heads held high so that we can function for another day with love. We must all have some level of that forgiveness in others for not meeting our standards. Otherwise, the value we have put our highest priorities on is love of self. When we go to the main sanctuary in Japan, we are going to the place where the origins of human creation developed in the muddy waters. That is where the Kanrodai stands. In the sea of thousands upon thousands that go there and kneel down all around this central pillar to pray towards the Kanrodai, what is obvious is that we have all kneeled down to lower our heads amongst each other. We have lowered ourselves in humility and gratitude and are facing each other as we do so. I did not begin my life in the Tenrikyo teachings so this was an amazing realization for me the first time I witnessed this. This was God’s ultimate intention when showing us this view as we pray. Humans will find peace and happiness when we grace ourselves with our humility

and gratitude towards each other. If we stand with hatred and anger, demanding the others do as we say, what would happen within the walls of the sanctuary that stands with the many people with the many varying views? What path would this create? We must always be aware of how we are facing those around us. Are we approaching them with a heart full of anger and defiance or with the heart of humility and grace? This will determine the path to open ahead of us. If we truly wish for a peaceful and loving family, we must start by laying down our part for that path. We must realize that whatever is affecting us in our lives have become the mirror image of our hearts we have displayed to those around us. So it would be pointless to complain to the mirror and try to wipe the dirt we see in the mirror. Nothing will change when we complain at our mirrors and keep trying to fix the problems we see on the glass. We must realize that God’s intentions are to look at ourselves and clean what we can in ourselves. If we put effort into cleansing ourselves and taking care to fix what we see in the mirror on us, we will see the improvements in the mirror. The closest mirror we have is our family. This is where we must lay our foundations and build a stronger unit for the good of society. If the family unit is strong in character, they will influence their community with a strong character of people who believe the same. This will grow out into the society and influence those who lead the society. The effect ripples outward. I truly believe this is the most important struggle we must put effort into everyday. We must cleanse the dusts we accumulate onto ourselves. As we are always being encouraged to do everyday. We are encouraged to sweep away the evils from ourselves. We are encouraged to focus on the foundation of the husband and wife. We are encouraged to sweep away, not from others, but from ourselves. If every one of does so, equally, then we will realize the blessings of the Kanrodai.*

* The Kanrodai, the Stand for the Heavenly Dew, is set up at Jiba of Origin as proof that Jiba is the place where humankind was first conceived by God the Parent at the time of creation. Jiba is given the divine name Tenri-O-no-Mikoto out of God's profound intention. The Kanrodai, which marks Jiba, serves as the focal

point for our worship of God the Parent and our prayer for universal salvation. The Kanrodai is, indeed, the center around which the Kagura Service is performed by those who melt into God the Parent's intention

while praying for universal salvation and the realization of the Joyous Life.

* The Kanrodai is also the stand to receive the "Heavenly Dew" or the "Gift from Heaven," which will be bestowed through the performance of the Kagura Service when human minds have been completely

purified and have attained true sincerity.

“Dance is one mode of communication affiliated with the qualities explicitly inherent in human beings-that of expressing abstract ideas...Yet one part of the human body that stands out in imparting meaning most effectively is the

hands. We find:Hands give and receive, grasp and relinquish; they strike, protect, punish, and caress. Hands beckon, greet, and wave good-bye; they warn, admonish, and direct; they also pull apart and dismantle, heal and repair, assemble and divide.

(Denny 1989, 188)One means of teaching how to express an integral concept of the teachings was through a ritual dance called the

Teodori, the Dance with Hand Movements.” - Tenrikyo: The Path To Joyousness

Song Ten

First: The human mind cannot understand truth easily.

Second: Though I have been working miracles of salvation, This is the first time that I reveal Myself.

Third: This mud in the water, I wish you to take it out quickly.

Fourth: Greed is fathomless like muddy water. When your mind is completely purified, Then comes

paradise.

Fifth: Forever this shall become the seed of stories.

Sixth: Though I have spoken such severe words, It is because of My haste to save you.

Seventh: Suffering comes from your own mind. So you should reproach yourself.

Eighth: Though illness is so trying, No one has ever known its origin.

Ninth: Until this time all of you equally have been ignorant of the origin of illness.

Finally: This time, it has been revealed. The origin of illness lies in your own mind.

The prayer in our daily seated service:

Sweeping away evils, please save us, Tenri-O-no Mikoto.

Just a word: Listen to what God says. I never tell you anything wrong. Representing heaven and earth, I have created husband and wife. This is the beginning of the world.

Sweeping away evils, hasten to save us. All humankind equally purified, The Kanrodai.

“The Joyous Life is the purpose and final goal of human existence. To attain this goal, God the Parent initiated the path of single-hearted salvation by teaching us the Joyous Service. This Joyous Service is based

upon the truth of the origin of human beings.”-The Doctrine of Tenrikyo

NC newsletter2 0 1 2 A U T U M N E D I T I O N

theTENRIKYO NC church2840 Davis RoadWest Sacramento, CA 95691(916) 371-9419

Please join us on Sunday, October 14th, at 10am!Unite your minds and construct a path of hope. You must reflect it to the world so the world will be convinced that it is the true path to follow.

Osashizu, September 6, 1902

To receive this newsletter via e-mail instead, notify us at

Joyouslifeline@gmail.com