Sometimes when events happen in our lives, we are at loss to explain the reasoning behind the event. The following is a verse from the Osashizu (Tenrikyo):
This crying at night: you say it is the child crying. I have already instructed you in every situation. Listen carefully. Anything whatsoever is the persuasion of God. In the Tip of the Writing Brush, as well, I have already informed you of everything. You read it but do not understand. Why is it that the baby cries at night, cries at night? What is God persuading you to do? The rain may fall, the wind may blow, spring days may be balmy. In a single year, there are all kinds of days. You wonder why the baby cries. If you only think of the present moment, how unlikely that you will see! How unlikely that you will understand! Listen and understand well.
The preceding verse is inferring to the law of cause and effect. Good thoughts and actions result in future joy, and evil (greed, arrogance, and self love) thoughts and action result in suffering. When events occur in your lives, evaluate the circumstances at present, but also evaluate your past actions and thoughts. Your present circumstance may be related to your past actions and thoughts. Why does the baby cry at night?
Heaven’s Truth Church/Tenrikyo Church
