I often hear people say that performing the Joyous Service helps them sweep dusts (evil thoughts) from their minds.  This is great if it does; but God has already told us what the 5 dusts are, and how to remove these dusts from our minds. God in the Ofudesaki refers to this as “digging the roots” to attain a pure mind.

The word tasuke is usually defined as assistance, help, or support.  The word ta defines as other, or people.  Suke is defined as assistance. Combining both words is helping others, or in the case of our prayer, saving others. From the definitions, it appears that we are praying for others.  The following verses support my opinion that we are praying for others when we perform the Joyous Service.

(Mina sorote) (hayaku tsutome o) (suru naraba)  

(Soba ga isameba) (Kami mo isamuru) 1-11  

All assembled, quickly the Service performed. If this is done,

those nearby will become spirited. God will also be spirited

(Kono Tsutome) (doko kara kuru to) (omou kana)   5-7-5 waka

(Kami taru tokoro) (isami kuru zo ya) 2-4   7-7

This Service, where do they come from, you think?

From the high places they will come spirited.