I have translated the Ofudesaki word for word in English. The Tenrikyo Church headquarter’s translation is inaccurate. My book can be attained on Amazon, or the verses are daily posted on the Ofudesaki Study Group on Facebook. I am also thinking of translating the Osashizu into English. I have begun with a few passages like one one in August 2, 1888 concerning the Osazuke. But I believe that the English translation is wrong. This passage is not about the Osazuke, but it concerns God’s guidance to help purify our own minds.The word Osazuke is not in this Japanese passage in the Osashizu.
私はおふでさきを一字一句英訳した。天理教教会本部の翻訳は不正確です。拙著はアマゾンでお求めいただけますし、フェイスブックの「おふでさき研究会」にも毎日掲載されています。 また、「おさしづ」の英訳も考えています。 おたすけに関する1888年8月2日の一節のようないくつかの箇所から始めました。 しかし、その英訳は間違っていると思います。この箇所はおさづけに関するものではなく、私たち自身の kokoro (mind) を清めるための神の導きに関するものです、この「おさしづ」の一節には「おさづけ」という言葉はない。
Osashizu page 70 August 2, 1888
Original Japanese:
又一つ 先々の事情を渡すには、一度二度三度先ず渡すには、又一つには伺い 一つ(ひとつ)、密そかに ／＼。一日 の日(ひ)に渡す者 もある。又一つ にはこうのうというは渡す事情 、又々多くの中 の事情 は又 変 わる。ざわざわした中 ではならん。静 かに／＼。さあ／＼取次一人 でしっかり分 かる。又(また)一つ には取次 一(ひと)つ、又 一名一つ しっかりと.さあ／＼深き の事情 と言 えば、先 に説 いて世界 はたすけ一条 。さあ／＼尋ね一条 の理(り)は一人 で日々の処 、さあ／＼十分の理 を諭(さとして洗 い取 りてから。事情 あらば通 さんとは言 わん。さあさあ、ふかきじじょうは、べつだんせきたてて……..またまた, いちど,にど,さんどまでかやし,またまた、さんどさんどかやしてはこぶじじょう、またふかきりじょうたずねるならわたそうという。
My translation:
Again, only future’s circumstance (guidance) to give. Once, twice, and thrice most likely to give. One day’s day to give (guidance) person also exist. Again only, the benefit’s (guidance) time to say to give guidance. Again again many within’s guidance is, again to change. *to change to pure mind. Noisily to carry out inside will not * when discussing God’s guidance need quiet place to talk. Quiet area. Saa saa, conveyance only firmly to understand. *conveyance is God’s teaching of the soul, pure mind and guidance. By itself the conveyance only, again one person firmly with. * hinokishin (spreading truth) works better to one person instead of to crowd. Saa saa, of the profound spirit’s guidance, speaking of, in the future to explain, the world salvation one matter. Saa saa, to inquire, of single minded’s truth is, by itself day by day resulting in. Saa saa, sufficiency’s truth to persuade, because to cleanse to go through. *guidance is the truth to persuade people of God’s workings to cleanse the mind. Circumstances (guidance) if exist, to not spread, I will not to say. *need to spread God’s truth of guidance.Saa saa, profound spirits’ guidance is, special place to find oneself. * talking when guidance appears. One time (once), two times (twice), and three times up to returns. *returns of guidance. Again again. Three time three time, returns to carryout the guidance. Again profound truth guidance the high society if looked at, to give (guidance) to say.
Tenrikyo Headquarter’s English translation:
To bestow the Sazuke in the days and years ahead, the divine intention should be conveyed once, twice, and thrice. There were times when the Sazuke was bestowed on those who made an inquiry, unbeknown to anyone else. Some received the Sazuke in a span of only one day. One thing, though, is that what is called effectiveness must be bestowed. Because more and more people need it, circumstances are changing. Noisy places will not do. You need quiet places. Sah, sah, from each intermediary, the people must be able understand the divine intention clearly. One important thing is that intermediaries must ensure that each listener comes to a full understanding. Sah, sah, concerning God’s profound intention, it must be explained beforehand to the recipeients so that they fully understand the single-hearted salvation of the entire world. Sah, sah, about the people who come forward with inquiries, each intermediary should convey truth to them day after day. Sah, sah you must fully convey the truth and wash their minds clean. This done, I will refuse bestowal to no one.
Sah, sah about the profound intention, set apart a special seat….Repeatedly convey the intention once, twice, and thrice, and further three more times and three more times. If those who thus repeatedly attend the sessions gain a deep understanding of the truth and request the Sazuke, I shall bestow it.
Summary:
Tenrikyo Church headquarter must be more accurate in their translation of the verses and passage in both the Ofudesaki and Osashizu. There are many interpretations.The inaccurate translations may be one of the reasons why Tenrikyo is not growing in membership. This example gives proof that we have much to do in understanding our most sacred scriptures.
天理教教会本部は、おふでさきとおさしづの聖句をもっと正確に訳すべきである。不正確な訳は、天理教の会員が増えない理由の一つかもしれない。この例は、私たちの最も神聖な聖典を理解する上で、やるべきことがたくさんあることを証明している。
OFUDESAKI-GOD'S TEACHINGS 