Hinokishin and the True Meaning of Prevention

In the medical and dental fields, there is a strong consensus that prevention is the most important aspect of health care. Yet, in practice, most attention and resources are devoted to treatment after disease has already occurred. Preventive care, though essential, often takes a back seat—partly because it is less profitable for the healthcare system than treating established illness.

Some may ask, What does this have to do with religion?

In the Tenrikyo faith, church leadership often encourages community service such as cleaning parks, beaches, and participating in disaster relief efforts. These acts are done under the name of hinokishin, with the hope that such visible good deeds will help spread the teachings of Tenrikyo.

However, it is important to ask: What is the true meaning of hinokishin?

Interestingly, the term “hinokishin” does not appear in the Ofudesaki, the most sacred scripture of Tenrikyo. But it does appear in the 12 Songs of the Mikagura-uta, and the context there is illuminating. In the Mikagura-uta, hinokishinrefers to the spreading of the teachings to others—specifically, the teachings of the soul, the pure mind, and God’s guidance.

This makes sense when we consider the idea of prevention. Our teachings emphasize that when the mind is purified, only joy will come from one’s own soul. In other words, purifying the mind can prevent illness, suffering, and disaster from occurring in the first place.

But instead of focusing on prevention, many of our current activities are aimed at treating existing conditions—such as assisting in hurricane relief or helping people recover from tragedy. These acts are certainly compassionate and important, but they are reactions to suffering that has already appeared.

The true mission of Tenrikyo is not merely to respond to suffering, but to prevent it entirely by spreading God’s truth and helping people understand their souls. This is the most important hinokishin we can perform—helping others purify their minds before illness and disaster arise.

Prevention is the highest form of care, whether in medicine or in faith. By sharing God’s teachings clearly and compassionately, we carry out the ultimate hinokishin: a mission to prevent suffering before it begins.