Understanding Causality

Posted on December 18, 2014 by heaventruth

Some say that God is not responsible for the sufferings that occur in the world. The principle of causality explains why we suffer or have joy. God has created a world where causality appears to reward good thoughts and behavior, and penalize evil thoughts and behavior. The following is a quote from the Osashizu:

If I say “causality,” you probably do not understand it. The entire world is a mirror. Although all human beings go through births and rebirths, each way you have used your mind is accurately reflected on your body. Understand this well. February 15, 1888

Sometimes we think that we must punish the evil, but God already has a system that takes care of injustice. Sometimes we think that we must tell others about our good deeds, but God already has a system to rewards the benevolent. Understanding causality reveals why we suffer or have joy.

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How do we change the evil?

Posted on December 16, 2014 by heaventruth

I see people on the Freeways with road rage, trying to teach others by passing them, getting in front of them and slowing down on purpose to get their message of disapproval. How many times have you wanted to get in front of a car that was going slow on the left lane, and slow down on purpose to teach him or her the inconvenience it causes to other drivers. Many times it causes anger on the other driver who may have not even realized that he or she had made a mistake. We cannot change the behavior of others. Many times it only causes more anger. Change must come from within.

It is the same with evil people. We cannot usually reason with them. Many times we use coercion and imprisonment, but once the hindrance is removed, evil continues. We sometimes try to remove evil by killing them physically, but does it remove their evil spirit (soul). If we believe in reincarnation, do they comeback and continue their evil?

In the Heaven’s Truth religion (Tenrikyo), we have a prayer asking God to help save the world, a prayers asking God to help people sweep away the evils of greed, arrogance and self-love. If we pray with a pure heart, God will help remove the evils from their minds. It is with prayer that we must put our efforts into. We can only change others through God.

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The “Truth” can hurt, and the truth can set you free

Posted on December 15, 2014 by heaventruth

I was thinking about the often used phrase “The truth can hurt, and the truth can set your free”. In the Heaven’s Truth Church (Tenrikyo), one of the truths of heaven is said to be causality. Causality is the principle that if one behaves or thinks good, there will be joy in the future, albeit possibly in the next life. It also states that if one behaves or thinks evil (greed, arrogance, and self love), suffering or obstacles will appear in the future.

One can get hurt by the truth (causality). Suffering or obstacles are the result of our past evil actions and thoughts; we reap what we have sowed. But causality also gives us an opportunity to set ourselves free from evil (greed, arrogance, and self love). It gives us the opportunity to free our minds of evil. If we face our obstacles and sufferings with a positive attitude, by the principle of causality, we can have a joyous future. But many of us succumb to our sufferings and challenges, and continue to think and act evil. This continues the cycle of suffering. It is a difficult path to purify our minds, but understanding the truth, can set you free.

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The Ultimate Miracle

Posted on December 13, 2014 by heaventruth

The human body is composed a trillion cells all functioning together. The body is an amazing specimen that only God could have created. But many are arrogant to believe that they have control of their own bodies. When suffering or serious disorders arises, we find out that we have little control of our bodies. Many of us then turn to God for help.

But if God did create mankind, how did he do it? Evolutionist would say that it took millions of years to create mankind, from a fish-like state, to a reptile, a mammal and finally a human being. Biblical scholars would say that it took God 7 days to create mankind.

A scientist, Kazuo Murakami recently commented in a religious speech in Hawaii how amazing the creation of a baby is. He commented that God shows us the creation of mankind with every human conception. The baby goes through the evolutionary process which initially took million of years in only 38 weeks. This is a miraculous feat that only God can accomplish. This is the ultimate miracle.

* article from Tenrikyo Hawaii Church

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The Truths of Heaven

Posted on December 13, 2014 by heaventruth

True sincerity is said to be the truth of heaven. Causality is also said to be the truth of heaven. What is the relationship between causality and true sincerity? The principle of causality states that good thoughts and behavior results in joy, while evil thoughts and behavior results in suffering. True sincerity is a mindset that continues to be free of greed, arrogance or self-love, even in times of suffering or inconveniences.

By practicing true sincerity, we erase the negative cause of our suffering or obstacle; by the principle of causality, we then create joy in the future. But most of the world when faced with suffering or obstacles do not understand causality, and tend to react negatively, continuing the cycle of suffering. We blame others for our sufferings and continue to create a future of despair.

But this path of true sincerity is a difficult path. Who of us have the strength to lean on God and accept the obstacles and sufferings and have a positive attitude? Many of us can promise to be good, but how difficult is it when faced with sufferings. How easy is it to control our tempers when others attack us unfairly? How difficult is it to accept a death of a child? How easy is it to accept discrimination without anger, hate, or retribution? These are difficult situations, but they arise from our past actions. We must have faith in God, but we must also understand causality. Causality gives everyone the opportunity to have joy in the future. Causality and true sincerity are the truths of heaven.

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What would you pay for God’s blessings?

Posted on December 11, 2014 by heaventruth

What would you pay to guarantee a life full of joy forever? Many of us pay or you can say contribute to the church some tithe in preparation for the afterlife. But like many of the good things in life, there is no monetary transactions that are necessary in obtaining eternal bless. It is free. Some religions would be adamant that contributions would be advantageous in receiving God’s blessings; but these blessing may be financial gains to the church and its hierarchy. Of course, there are reasonable expenses in maintaining the church and spreading the religion, which no one will question.

If not money, what is it that will guarantee joy forever? In the Heaven’s Truth Church (Tenrikyo), the removal of evil (greed, arrogance, and self-love) will eventually give us God’s blessings of a joyous life. But the removal of these evils is not an easy task for many of us. It is easy when we continue to encounter joy in life, but it is very difficult to maintain a purity of mind when we encounter obstacles or sufferings. Some will say these sufferings are God’s test to determine our faith. Others who believe in reincarnation and causality would say that these tests are self-imposed by our actions and thoughts of the past.

It appears that it is the mind that God wants us to adorn and purify. It is the purification of the mind that leads to a joyous life. But most of the world believes that it is the physical and monetary gains that are important in obtaining joy. This is why many of us are ready to give to the church our most important possession (money) in order to receive God’s blessings. This is why the religious institutions may grow, but the world continues to suffer.

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What is Fair revised

Posted on December 10, 2014 by heaventruth

In our lives, when we our confronted with suffering or a challenging event in our lives, the religious would say that we are being tested. If you believe in heaven, you believe that God tests your faith. If you believe in causality, you test yourself. If you believe in heaven, your time to pass the test(s) is limited to a human life span. If you believe in causality, your time to pass the test(s) is eternal. If you believe in heaven, only a few will pass God’s test. If you believe in causality and reincarnation, everyone will eventually pass the test.

In the Bible, there are many entries where God tests the faith of his disciples and followers. Many will say that God gives us these tests to determine our entrance into heaven. In causality, our evil thoughts and actions today brings upon suffering (tests) in the future. We test ourselves. When we react positively to these self-inflicted tests, we reduce our sufferings in the future. We lessen our tests. Eventually as evil is eliminated from our minds, these tests subside, and we purify our own minds. But for those who react negatively to these self imposed tests, the principle of causality will assure that more tests (sufferings) will be forthcoming in the future.

For those who believe in God’s test, they warn that we have only one lifetime to pass God’s test(s). For those who believe in causality and reincarnation, these self-exams are eternal. We can continue to take these tests until we pass. Some will quickly understand causality, and lead a joyous life, while others struggle to remove greed, arrogance, and self-love from their hearts. They will continue to suffer, but will eventually pass their tests.

For those who believe in God’s test, they do not know if they have passed the test, or how many opportunities are given to an individual. What God wants is unclear. But for those who believe in causality, God gives us the answers to the test. We need to remove evil (greed, arrogance, and self love) from our minds. The number of tests (sufferings) is dependent on our thoughts and actions. We have the answers.

For those who believe in heaven, only a small percentage of people will pass God’s test (s) and enter heaven. What happens to the rest of us? But for those who believe in reincarnation and causality, everyone will eventually pass their own tests (sufferings) and live a joyous life. What belief system appears to be more fair and reasonable?

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What is Fair?

Posted on December 9, 2014 by heaventruth

In our lives, when we our confronted with suffering or a challenging event in our lives, the religious would say that we are being tested. If you believe in heaven, you believe that God tests your faith. If you believe in causality, you test yourself. If you believe in heaven, your time to pass the test or tests is limited. If you believe in causality, your time to pass the test is iunlimited. If you believe in heaven, only a few will pass God’s test. If you believe in causality and reincarnation, everyone will eventually pass the test.

In the Bible, there are many entries where God tests the faith of his disciples. Many will say that God gives us these tests to get into heaven. In causality, our evil thoughts and actions today brings upon suffering in the future. We test ourselves. When we react positively to these self-inflicted tests, we reduce our sufferings in the future. We lessen our tests. Eventually as evil is eliminated from our minds, these tests subside, and we purify our own minds. But for those who react negatively to these self imposed tests, the principle of causality will assure that more tests will be forthcoming in the future to purify the mind.

For those who believe in God’s test, they warn that we have only one lifetime to pass God’s test. For those who believe in causality and reincarnation, these self-exams are eternal. Some will quickly understand causality, and lead a joyous life, while others struggle to remove greed, arrogance, and self love from their hearts. They will continue to suffer, but will eventually pass their tests.

For those who believe in heaven, only a small percentage of people will pass God’s test (s) and enter heaven. But for those who believe in reincarnation and causality, everyone will eventually pass their own tests (sufferings) and live a joyous life. What belief appears to be more fair? Any thoughts?

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How to become a good person

Posted on December 7, 2014 by heaventruth

Sometimes I think how does one become a good person? We are selfish and arrogant by human nature; which makes it difficult to be impartial. For example, the truth or evidence does not matter anymore when it comes to politics, religion, or racial issues to some people. Some may actually sincerely believe that their faction is being wronged, and that it is important for them to up rise against injustice. These are actually good people who may do bad things.

But unless, we remove the self from the picture, we sometimes cannot see what is in front of us. We need to be like the fly on the wall that sees but does not act; like an impartial 3rd party, who is able to see themselves from another perspective. Maybe like God? But how do we become like God?

We need to remove the evils within us that prevent us from understanding the world. Ironically it is these evils in our minds that bring forth the sufferings and injustices that many believe are caused by the actions of others. If we believe in causality, our bodies, or what happens to us is a reflection of our minds. We write our own future by how we think or act. You can say that the people who we think bring upon injustice are only the messengers for our past sins. We reap what we have sowed. We do not want to harm the messenger.

What are these evils that prevent us from seeing the truths, and which continue to prolong our sufferings? These evils are arrogance, greed, and self-love. Removing these evils from our minds may not be an easy task. Like many of the cycles that operate in the world, suffering and pain (effect) continue to be produced even though our evil (cause) subsides at the moment. For what is planted (evil or good), will always sprout (joy or suffering). It is not the promise to do good that God accepts; but it is the continual elimination of evil even when confronted with suffering that God accepts. This is true sincerity. Some people consider true sincerity as the truth of heaven. True sincerity brings upon a joyous future.

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The Site of Miracles

Posted on December 6, 2014 by heaventruth

In many religions, there is a special site that people pilgrimage to. In the Heaven’s Truth Religion, there is also a special site that is said to possess miraculous properties. The stand, pillar, Ojiba and the Kanrodai are names used to represents this location where the first human beings were created. In the Book of Prophecy (Ofudesaki), the pillar also is said to be the original parent of mankind (Oyasama). Oyasama is said to be the first parent of mankind, who God had prophesized to be reincarnated in the 18th century to save the world.

What are you thinking concerning the stand?

This is because the Parent of Origin (Oyasama) exists. 10-22

Some scholars also believe that the stand represents the purified mind of the original Parent (Oyasama) that was void of greed, arrogance, and self-love.

It is written that some of the early followers of the religion after purifying their minds were immobilized when they walked over the site where mankind was created. The following concerning this event is written in the Book of Prophecy:

Hereafter, bodily disorders will appear here and there.

Know that it is the care being given by God. 8-81

When you come, compare your disorder among yourselves

If the conditions are the same, quickly begin the sweeping to purify the mind. 8-82

Walk over where you have swept (with a purified mind) , and you will come to a standstill.

That place, the Kanrodai (location where mankind was created)

But besides indicating the site of the creation of mankind, the stand or location appears to be the place where God discerns our mind. God compares our minds with the original pure mind of the origin or the Parent (Oyasama).

Among the high mountains, the preparation to distinguish between those

of good (nihon) and those of evil (kara) will be made also by the Pillar. 2-46.

Oyasama and the pillar (some will say is the same), is what God uses to distinguish our minds when we pray for the salvation of others. This is why the early followers prayed toward the pillar, or the location of the first parent. With the acceptance of their sincere prayer, God used the pillar (Oyasama) in distinguishing the minds of the local residents; and from these findings, guides them to salvation.

But on January 26 1887, Oyasama passes away as prophesized in the Book of Prophecy

On the eleventh, the nine will have disappeared, the origin (Kanrodai) forgotten.

I await the 26th of the first month. 3-73

On this day, the mind of Oyasama was freed from her physical body, and her mind becomes a mobile pillar that has its root on the original pillar. God now has the ability to distinguish the minds of the whole world. This prayer now becomes a prayer for world salvation.

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