The Fly on the Wall

Posted on October 7, 2015 by heaventruth

Sometimes, it feels good to just see and let your senses take over you, without letting your thoughts interfere; without self-love, arrogance, and greed. Like a fly on the wall, just observing, taking in what others are saying, breathing in life, and enjoying every moment.

Like the fly that reacts to the fly swatter, we must also react to what we see. If we perceive the world from a 3rd party perspective, without greed, arrogance, and self-love, we are able to react in a positive manner. If we perceive the situation from a selfish, greedy, and arrogant view, we may end up like the fly that reacts slowly to the fly swatter, in a perilous situation.

Posted in Book of Prophecy, Heaven's Truth Church, Tenrikyo | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Seek the Origin

Posted on October 4, 2015 by heaventruth

In the Heaven’s Truth Church (Tenrikyo), we are encouraged to seek the “ Origin”. Why is this Origin so important? The salmon returning to its birthplace, the adopted child seeking his natural parents, the naturalized citizen rooting for his or her home country in the Olympics. These are all examples of the yearning for the origin.

The Origin that we are told to seek is the beginning of mankind millions of years ago. We are also told to contemplate cause and effect. What is the cause of the origin of human beings? We are aware of the effect since we exist as Descartes stated, “ I think, therefore I am”. But what is the cause of the creation of man? In the Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki) is the following:

The reason God began human beings

was the desire to see you lead a joyous life. 14-25

The cause of human creation is for mankind to live a joyous life with everyone helping each other. But more important, the source of the cause is God. We find God when we seek the origin. We also find the pure heart of God, which he placed into the first parents of mankind. We seek the original mind that had no greed, arrogance, and self love. When we attain this mind, God will assure us of any salvation.

Posted in Book of Prophecy, Christian, Christianity, God, Heaven's Truth Church, Hindu, Hinduism, Muslims, reincarnation, Religion, Tip of the Writing Brush | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Universe is God

Posted on October 3, 2015 by heaventruth

In the beginning was God (Universe) by himself. God felt alone, so he said let there be man. How would he create such a complex being? He took from the muddy oceans of the earth, the instruments of human creation; and from the heavens, he added the pure heart of himself. From the muddy oceans, mankind evolved into what he is today. But instead of a joyous world that God had envisioned at creation, mankind has created suffering. In the Book of Prophecy is the following:

I shall teach you step by step that this Universe is

the body of God. Ponder, and look at it. 3-40

If the Universe is the body of God, then our bodies are part of God. When we hurt others, we are hurting God; when we kill, we are killing God. In summary, evil (greed, arrogance, and self love) has infiltrated the  once pure hearts that were initially placed into the  original parents of mankind. Some may say that the original parents were Adam and Eve. In the Heaven’s Truth Religion (Tenrikyo), we call the first parent Oyasama (translated as parent).

God is not healthy due to the evils of mankind. How do we heal God? Some will say that we need to return our minds to the purity of the original parents of mankind. We need to remove greed, arrogance, and self-love from our minds. When all mankind is purified, God and mankind will be both whole (healthy) and spirited like at the “Origin”. This is why it is important to find and understand the genesis or origin of mankind.

Posted in Book of Prophecy, Christian, Christianity, God, Islam, prayer, Religion, Tenrikyo | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Who is Jesus?

Posted on October 1, 2015 by heaventruth

How does God choose his prophets? Why was Jesus chosen to save mankind? Let us review some information on Jesus Christ. He is said to be the Son of God. He was said be born from Immaculate Conception. He is said to have been resurrected from death (reincarnation?). When Jesus walked the earth, there were many who believed in reincarnation.

If reincarnation is possible, could Jesus have been Adam in Genesis? Could Jesus have the soul of the first man that was created by God? Who else could be born of Immaculate Conception than the first being? Who else can God claim as his son, created in the image of himself? But most important, who else can have a pure mind of God, that Adam was said to have at creation. Something to ponder about

Posted in Christian, Christianity, Heaven's Truth Church, Hindu, Hinduism, Methodist, Religion, Tenrikyo | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

Is Faith Good

Posted on September 29, 2015 by heaventruth

heaventruth's avatarOFUDESAKI-GOD'S TEACHINGS

What does a distorted mirror have to do with religion?  In the Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki), God throughout the sacred book tells us that we do not understand him.  The following is from the Book of Prophecy:

Though I have gathered many followers,            

those that cannot understand reasoning (distorted mirror), will not do.

In this world, there are many people that cannot understand or refuse to understand new information that is given to them. In politics, some refuse undisputable facts and continue to support their candidates. In religion, it is very difficult to change the mindset of a follower, even when faced with factual data.

A distorted mirror will not reveal the true reflection of what we look like. As a mind that attaches to old beliefs may not be able to see what is true.  God warns us to understand whatever occurs.

This is a world constructed on reason

So I shall press upon…

View original post 46 more words

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Is Faith Good

Posted on September 29, 2015 by heaventruth

What does a distorted mirror have to do with religion?  In the Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki), God throughout the sacred book tells us that we do not understand him.  The following is from the Book of Prophecy:

Though I have gathered many followers,            

those that cannot understand reasoning (distorted mirror), will not do.

In this world, there are many people that cannot understand or refuse to understand new information that is given to them. In politics, some refuse undisputable facts and continue to support their candidates. In religion, it is very difficult to change the mindset of a follower, even when faced with factual data.

A distorted mirror will not reveal the true reflection of what we look like. As a mind that attaches to old beliefs may not be able to see what is true.  God warns us to understand whatever occurs.

This is a world constructed on reason

So I shall press upon you everything with the reason in verse. 1-21

Faith in religion or politics is not bad. Faith gives people hope and courage in times of need. But one must not abandon reasoning to support one’s faith, because faith without reason may undermine the truth of God.

Posted in Book of Prophecy, causality, faith, God, Heaven's Truth Church, joyous life, Ofudesaki, prayer, Tenrikyo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

No one to blame

Posted on September 28, 2015 by heaventruth

It is human nature to seek fault from the outside, and not find fault within. We tend to blame others for our misfortunes. We blame our parents who raised us incorrectly, we blame our teachers that were incompetent, and we even blame the devil that made us do our evil. If our problems arise from the outside, we have no control of our destiny or future. The expression “Shit happens” may be an appropriate explanation. But if our problems arise from within, the proceeding thoughts may be of interest.

Suppose that our thoughts and actions determine our future. Suppose we can literally make our own future by what we do today? This is the law of cause and effect (Causality, karma, innen). Our suffering or joy of today is caused by what we have done in the past. Yes, this includes our actions and thoughts in our previous lives if one were to believe in reincarnation. Imagine no matter how much we suffer today, we can have joy in the future. Our good thoughts of today will blossom into joy in our future lives. But causality also brings upon suffering if our thoughts and action of today are not good. We reap what we have sowed.

Understanding causality makes us understand that the source of joy or suffering comes from within. It makes us tolerant to any sufferings and inconveniences; it gives us hope. We can control what will happen to us in the future by our thoughts and actions of today. We write our own story. We have no one to blame.

Posted in causality, God, Heaven's Truth Church, Tenrikyo | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Causality, Innen, Karma 101

Posted on September 28, 2015 by heaventruth

It is human nature to seek fault from the outside, and not find fault within. We tend to blame others for our misfortunes. We blame our parents who raised us incorrectly, we blame our teachers that were incompetent, and we even blame the devil that made us do our evil. If our problems arise from the outside, we have no control of our destiny or future. Some would say that we have control by our responses to the tragedies, but what if the sufferings continue? This is a rather pessimistic and hopeless view of life if the sources of suffering originated from outside. We have no control! But is it really the external forces that cause our sufferings and inconveniences in life?

Suppose that our thoughts and actions determine our future. Suppose we can literally make our own future by what we do today? This is the law of cause and effect (Causality, karma, innen). Our suffering or joy of today is caused by what we have done in the past. Yes, this includes our actions and thoughts in our previous lives if one were to believe in reincarnation. Imagine no matter how much we suffer today, we can have joy in the future. Our good thoughts of today will blossom into joy in the future. But causality also brings upon suffering if our thoughts and action of today are not good. We reap what we have sowed. In today’s world, we see joy and suffering, and we also see “good” and “evil” acts. But we do not understand that one causes the other.

Understanding causality makes us understand that the source of joy or suffering comes from within. It makes us tolerant to any sufferings and inconveniences; it gives us hope. We can control what will happen to us in the future by our thoughts and actions of today. We write our own story.

Posted in causality, God, Heaven's Truth Church, Hinduism, innen, joyous life, karma, prayer, reincarnation, Religion, Tenrikyo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Emperor Has no Clothes

Posted on September 27, 2015 by heaventruth

There was a story by Hans Christian Andersen about a powerful and vain emperor who the people feared. He had hired what he thought were the two best weavers of his time to fabricate an ornate suite that would distinguish himself from his people. The dishonest weavers convinced the emperor that they had fabricated a suit that was invisible and light to him, but would be seen by others as a magnificent suit of clothing, establishing his superiority. The weavers even pretended to clothe the king with this special clothing that they said was to be only worn by deity. The King’s escorts were either too fearful or embarrassed to tell the king when he appeared naked. It was appropriate and expected, that his people would prostrate before the king as the procession past them; but for many, the prostration may have been a blessing to prevent the king from seeing their snicker, or their expressions of embarrassment.

The scenario of embarrassment continued on the rock-paved road until the procession stopped at the curved road, when an innocent child shouted to his mother that the king had no clothes on. The king who heard the child realized that he had no clothes on; he had literally exposed his humanness to his people. His arrogant plan of impressing his people of his aristocracy had taken an opposite affect.

I believe this story was written by the author to impress on the audience of the equality of all mankind. Throughout history, people were led to believe that their king, emperor, or ruler was deity, thus commanding respect and loyalty. In the Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki) is the following verse:

All human bodies are things lent by God.

What thoughts are you using them? 3-41

No matter what our profession, gender, race, and religion, we are all equal in the eyes of God. It is only our thoughts and actions that are important to God. It is the thoughts of helping others that God places in esteem.

Posted in causality, Christian, Christianity, God, Heaven's Truth Church, Hindu, Hinduism, prayer, Religion, Tenrikyo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Is God Trying to Guide Us?

Posted on September 27, 2015 by heaventruth

We who are followers of the Heaven’s Truth (Tenrikyo) religion must be very cautious in interpreting what occurs every day. When suffering or inconvenience occurs, is it due to causality, or is it God’s guidance? I often hear people say that God is showing me what I have done in my previous lives; there is nothing that I can do but to accept these inconveniences. But in the Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki), God often says that we do not understand. Even the earliest of followers of the religion, God warned that they did not understand. What is it that we do not understand? Could it be our sacred book, the Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki)?

In the Book of Prophecy are the following verses:

Step by step, I have taught the truth of single-heartedness with God.

But you still do not understand. 2-12

With my children, as there number is not small,

The majority of hearts do not understand. 4-87

Whatever is said or written by the tip of my brush,

It is none other than directions from the mind of God. 6-68

Though I have made it known to you step by step by the writing brush,

you have no understanding. This is God’s regret. 4-47

In our religion, people often attempt to find answers by going to other references in interpreting what the tenets of the church are. Many often understand our sacred books by the interpretation of the early followers of the religion. But if one reads the sacred book, God often reminded the early followers that they did not understand. That illness or suffering may not be the result of causality; but it may be God’s warning that we do not understand the most sacred book, the Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki).

Posted in God, guidance, Heaven's Truth, Heaven's Truth Church, illness, joyous life, karma, Ofudesaki, reincarnation, Religion, Tenrikyo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment