Corruption in Government

Posted on July 5, 2016 by heaventruth

The law of causality states that good thoughts and behaviors result in a path of joy, while evil thoughts and actions result in suffering. Usually the effects of causality may not develop until future life times. Classical conditioning like of Pavlov’s response to stimuli will not be relevant because cause and effect are not immediate. This makes it easy for the selfish to continue their evil behaviors.

What path are you on, a path of sorrow, or a path of joy? On a path of suffering, we don’t know what is around the corner, or who is on it to harm us. But on a path of joy, we have no surprises, and encounter people that want to help us. Today, a good man unknowingly decided to take a path of suffering by acceding to corruption in government.

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Tenrikyo /Have We Created God?

Posted on July 4, 2016 by heaventruth

I have a few questions about God. If God is in Heaven, why do we always look down when we pray? If God is always accessible, why do some religions only pray at particular times of the day? Does God need to rest and take bathroom breaks? If God is all knowing, why do we have to ask for help at all; doesn’t he know what we want? If God were all-powerful, why would he want praise? If this is God’s world, why do we need to offer sacrifice , or make offerings of food or money?  How does God consume these physical materials?

It is said that God created humans from his image, but it appears that we have created God out of our image; something to ponder about.

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Tenrikyo /Lots of Baggage/ 2

Posted on July 4, 2016 by heaventruth

Sometimes when writing a post, I get so excited to post, that I forget to proof read before I submit. The following is the corrected version. 

We come into this world with “lots of baggage”. Many would think a newborn baby comes into this world pure and innocent. They like the environmentalist would like to think that the surroundings influences most of his or her life, corrupting or enhancing their character. When we hear tragedies of innocent people taken at the prime of their life, what can we say to their grieving parents? Why would God take away a good child?

Edgar Cayce, the clairvoyant, once said that we have many mansions and many lives. He meant that our souls come back to this earth to continue the process of purifying the mind. But the selfish ego or mind thwarts this process of purification of the heart. The selfish ego or minds create a path of suffering for the soul, while a selfless ego or mind opens a path of joy. It is this suffering or joy that sprouts in the present that most people do not understand. We sow what we have planted. We have all sinned. These are common clichés that are found in our sacred books; but they have truth and merit. They can explain what we cannot see on the surface.

Because someone goes through suffering, it does not mean that they are evil or bad like many who oppose the concept of causality and reincarnation claim. All human beings have the template for a pure heart. These mansions that are given to us are individualized to our specific path we are on, a path of suffering or a path of joy. For those who have experienced suffering or grief, we are not doomed to live in a dilapidated mansion for eternity. By our thoughts and actions of today, we can determine what kind of mansion we will live in the future. In the Heaven’s Truth Church (Tenrikyo), God promises that all mankind will live in mansion that only bring upon joy.

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Tenrikyo /Coming into this world with baggage

Posted on July 4, 2016 by heaventruth

We come into this world with “lots of baggage”. Many would think a newborn baby comes into this world pure and innocent. They like the environmentalist would like to think that the surroundings influences most of his or her life, corrupting or enhancing their character. When we hear tragedies of innocent people taken at the prime of their life, what can we say to their grieving parents? Why would God take away a good child?

Edgar Cayce, the clairvoyant, once said that we have many mansions and many lives. He meant that our souls come back to this earth to continue the process of purifying the mind. But the selfish ego or mind thwarts this process of purification of the heart. The selfish ego or minds create a path of suffering for the soul, while a selfless ego or mind opens a path of joy. It is this suffering or joy that sprouts in the present that most people do not understand. We sow what we have planted. We have all sinned. These are common clichés that are found in our sacred books; but they have truth and merit. They can explain what we cannot see on the surface.

Because someone goes through suffering, it does not mean that they are evil or bad like many who oppose the concept of causality and reincarnation claim. All human beings have the template for a pure heart. These mansions that are given to us are individualized to our specific path we are on, a path of suffering or a path of joy. For those who have experienced suffering or grief, we are not doomed to live in a dilapidated mansion for eternity. By our thoughts and actions of today, we can determine what kind of mansion we will live in the future. In the Heaven’s Truth Church (Tenrikyo), God promises that all mankind will live in mansion that only bring upon joy.

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Tenrikyo /Happiness is Free

Posted on July 3, 2016 by heaventruth

Everything that matters in life is free. For example, the air we breathe, and the water we drink are free; unless we drink bottle water at an outrageous price. You don’t have to pay someone to love you, although people continue to search for true love at all cost. Happiness is said to be free also; people try to buy happiness, but usually fail. But if happiness is free, where and how do we order it? What are the ingredients of happiness and joy? First of all, we don’t need money, fame, or power to obtain it.

In the Heaven’s Truth Religion (Tenrikyo), we do not need to obtain any material belongings to gain happiness. On the contrary, we need to lose some things to gain happiness. What are these things that God advises us eliminate to obtain joy? In the Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki), God warns us to remove evil from our hearts. These evils are the negative thoughts in our minds. They are covetousness, miserliness, greed, arrogance, and self love. When we remove these evils (dusts) from our minds, our hearts become light and pure; and God promises us everlasting joy.

From this perspective, even the most evil people in the world like the terrorist are intrinsically good. It is only the dust of evil (greed, arrogance, and self love) have clouded their minds, and have surrounded their once pure heart.   We usually cannot reason with these people since the dust that cover their hearts are thick, as their minds continue to produce negative and erroneous thoughts. Some believe that eliminating them physically will eliminate the evil; but what happens to their soul?

We all know that it is extremely difficult for anyone to change the thoughts and behavior of evil people. It is only God that can change the behavior and thoughts of these people. In the Heaven’s Truth Church, we have a special prayer that God has given us that will bring these people to our churches, so that we can help them lessen their burden from their troubled and hardened hearts. It is the purification of their hearts that will bring upon joy.

When I was young, someone asked me what is so special about our religion? I answered her with the basic tenets of our church at that time; but now I can confidently say it is our special prayer (Joyous Service) that God has given us to save mankind. We are the only religion that has this special prayer. In the Book of Prophecy, God asks us to share this prayer with the world.  

Happy Fourth of July!

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Tenrikyo /Field of Dreams

Posted on June 27, 2016 by heaventruth

If you build it, they will come was one of the sayings in a popular movie; but the words also apply to the Heaven’s Truth Religion (Tenrikyo). with a few other stipulations. It is said that God descended from Heaven to show people how to live a joyous and happy life. God said, “Let there be no greed, arrogance, covetousness, miserliness, and self-love”. God promises that when these evils or dusts are swept from our minds, joy and happiness will naturally follow. How do we share these truths with others? God has given us instructions in the Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki).

The first is to build a place of worship (church or fellowship). The second is to spread these truths to others. The third is to purify our own minds of these dusts. The fourth is to pray with our special prayer that God has given us, the Joyous Service. When all these requirements are met, God promises to fill our churches. If you build it, they will come.

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Tenrikyo /How to Build a Better World

Posted on June 27, 2016 by heaventruth

How to build a better world

How: Build a place of worship, spread God’s truth, purify your mind, and pray (Joyous Service)

Result: God will bring people to your places of worship

Reference: Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki)

Website: heaventruth.com

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Tenrikyo /Genie (God) in a Bottle

Posted on June 25, 2016 by heaventruth

There were three brothers fishing on the beach, when a vase came upon the sand. Upon removing the cork of the vase, red smoke poured out forming an image of a genie. The genie granted the brothers 3 wishes, one for each of the brothers. The eldest of the brothers wished for riches, the other brother wanted power, and the youngest of the brothers wanted for his brothers to be happy.

The oldest brother found a pot of gold, and soon became the richest man in the village. He spent his hours on pleasures of the flesh, drinking, womanizing, and using drugs. These activities unfortunately did not bring him happiness. He continued to seek more possession hoping more wealth will bring upon joy.

The other brother soon became the most powerful man in the village. His tenure was fraught with bribery, coercions, and illegal activities. Being the most powerful man in the village did not bring him happiness, but he continued to seek power hoping more power will bring upon the elusive joy.

Both brothers in pursuit of their joy began to cross paths. They began to have hostility toward one another, blaming each other for interfering with their goals. Finally the hostility reached a crescendo where one brother killed the other, and took his own life.

The youngest brother confused at the events, which had manifested, found the vase and uncorked the container. The same puff of red smoked bellowed out and the genie reappeared in front of the disheveled youth. The brother asked why his wish was not given. The genie answered, that both brothers were given their selfish wishes, and that having power and wealth do not cause happiness. The genie echoed “It is the giving, which you wished for your brothers that brings upon happiness and joy”.

The young brother suddenly felt the earth move as he fell to the ground and saw the genie disappear into the sky, as the vase fell upon the sand. As the youth opened his eyes, he saw his two brothers reaching out to help him up from the sand. One of the brothers picked up the vase, and curiously turned it upside down to see what was enclosed in the container. The two brothers looked disappointed at finding no genie or treasures inside the container. But the young brother smiled as he gazed at his brothers. He had just experienced the most joy in his life. His wish had come true. God is everywhere, sometimes even in a bottle!

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Tenrikyo /The Three Brothers and their Wishes

Posted on June 25, 2016 by heaventruth

There were three brothers fishing on the beach, when a vase came upon the sand. Upon removing the cork of the vase, red smoke poured out forming an image of a genie. The genie granted the brothers 3 wishes, one for each of the brothers. The eldest of the brothers wished for riches, the other brother wanted power, and the youngest of the brothers wanted for his brothers to be happy.

The oldest brother found a pot of gold, and soon became the richest man in the village. He spent his hours on pleasure of the flesh, drinking, womanizing, and using drugs. These activities unfortunately did not bring him happiness. He continued to seek more possession hoping more wealth will bring upon joy.

The other brother soon became the most powerful man in the village. His tenure was fraught with bribery, coercion, and illegal activities. Being the most powerful man in the village did not bring him happiness, but he continued to seek power hoping more power will bring upon the elusive joy.

Both brothers in pursuit of their joy began to cross paths. They began to have hostility toward one another, blaming each other for interfering with their goals. Finally the hostility reached a crescendo where one brother killed the other, and took his own life.

The other brother confused at the events, which had manifested, found the vase and uncorked the container. The same puff of red smoked bellowed out and the genie reappeared in front of the disheveled youth. The brother asked why his wish was not given. The genie answered, that both brothers were given their selfish wishes, and that having power and wealth do not cause happiness. The genie echoed “It is the giving, which you wished for your brothers that brings upon happiness and joy”.

The young brother suddenly felt the earth move as he fell to the ground and saw the genie disappear into the vase, which had fallen to the sand. As the youth opened his eyes, he saw his two brothers reaching to help him up from the sand. One of the brothers picked up the vase, and curiously turned it upside down to see what was enclosed in the container. The two brothers looked disappointed at finding no treasures inside the container. But the young brother smiled as he gazed at his brothers. His unselfish wish had brought upon true joy, and a second chance for his brothers.

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Tenrikyo /Where Does Anger and Animosity Come From?

Posted on June 22, 2016 by heaventruth

Religion teaches us to be kind to people. Do on to others what you would have others do to you. I have learned this from my religion; but I have had a difficult time when I have faced adversity or animosity. It is easy to be good when people are friendly and cordial, but difficult when anger or animosity is directed toward you. The anger then appears to transfer to you, and kindness takes a back seat. Some religions advocate retribution when faced with intolerance and animosity, as exhibited in the Middle East, and Africa. But this tactic, often results in the cycle of anger and destruction, resulting in suffering.

Why do we encounter people that have animosity and anger toward us, even when we show no enmity toward them? In the Heaven’s Truth Religion (Tenrikyo), in one of the scripture it is said that these people are only “messengers” acting out (showing anger)  what we have previously done ourselves to others. We should not be angry with them, but ponder over what is being shown to us. By this process, we do not accumulate anger and hatred, and by the process of causality, we bring upon joy.

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