In the Traditional English translation of the Ofudesaki God tells us that the truth will be told. Like an exciting mystery novel, the reader waits for the final answer to the mystery. But the truth is never given in the traditional English translation. What is the truth that God wants us to know? The following is from the Tenrikyo Headquarter’s English translation:
From now on, however high their position may be,
to show them the truth quickly is my desire. 7-62
Even until now, I have often taught about My single intent to
save you, but you have not known the real truth. 8-22
This time, I shall teach the truth of all matters
and hasten to save you. 10-15
Even until now, though I have given you My teachings in
various talks, the real truth has not been told. 11-9
From this time I began this world until today,
I have not yet told the real truth. 15-48
What is the truth that God wants to teach us. Why does not God give us the truth?
The answer comes by translating the Japanese word shinjitsu. In the previous Church Headquarter’s translations, the word is mistranslated as the truth. The real translation for shinjitsu is the “Original pure mind”. This is a mind without regret, covetousness, self-love, greed, and arrogance. It is ironic that I was looking for God’s truth, when the truth was right there in front of me. The truth is the Original pure mind that God wants us to understand and attain. The following are the previous verses, followed by the corrected verses.
From now on, however high their position may be,
to show them the truth quickly is my desire. 7-62
From now on, however high place,
this Original pure mind quickly to want to show. 7-62 corrected
Even until now, I have often taught about My single intent to
save you, but you have not known the real truth. 8-22
Even until now, single salvation occasionally was explained.
The true Original pure mind you have not known. 8-22 corrected
This time, I shall teach the truth of all matters
and hasten to save you. 10-15
This time, what kind of things, the Original pure mind,
I shall say and inform you, I am hastenig the salvation. 10-15 corrected
Even until now, though I have given you My teachings in
various talks, the real truth has not been told. 11-9
Even until now, various of talks I have explained.
The real Original pure mind, although I have not seen. 11-9 corrected
From this time I began this world until today,
I have not yet told the real truth. 15-48
These workings since I began until now,
the real Original pure mind to talk about was nonexistent. 15-48 corrected
In summary, it the Original pure mind that God wants us to understand and attain. This is a mind without regret, covetousness, self-love, greed, and arrogance. When one attains the pure mind, only joy will come from our hearts. In the Ofudesaki, God tells us how to attain the Original pure mind, and also tells us how to spread God’s teachings. The truth or the Original mind will set you free, free from sufferings and illnesses.
Heaven's Truths, in Living the Joyous Life 