Someone once asked me what makes the Heaven’s Truth Religion (Tenrikyo Religion) so different from other religions. I remember hesitating and trying to come up with an answer that would try to convince them of the uniqueness of our church. Thirty year later, I believe I have found the difference. I have found the answer in the Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki)

God has given us a prayer to save all mankind. God promises us with this prayer, he will begin to sweep evil from the minds of all mankind. This is what is unique about this religion; God has given us the tool (prayer) that will initiate the salvation of not only ourselves, but the salvation of all of mankind. God promises us that with this prayer, the whole world will someday be swept of evil and there will only be joy. But two hundred years later, there is evil and suffering; and our religion does not grow.

Why does our religion not increase, as God has promised us? God has given us a special prayer; like any tool, we need to use it as it was intended for. The instruction manual would be a good place to start. Where do we get the instructions that would make our prayer effective? Our instruction manual is the Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki). It gives us the instructions on how to use this prayer, and what makes it effective.

The Joyous Service (prayer) is God’s gift to mankind. Whether we use it, or not may determine the fate of the world. All the instructions are in the Book of Prophecy.