Anecdotes of Oyasama 43
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Anecdotes of Oyasama 43 presents the contents of "That Will Do," a selection from Anecdotes of Oyasama, published by Tenrikyo Church Headquarters in 1976. The content below appears on page 37 of the print edition.
Text: English translation and original Japanese
| 43. That Will Do
September 27, 1875, is the date when Oyasama's daughter, Kokan, departed for rebirth. The people of Shoyashiki Village had often come to comfort her while she was ill in bed, and had rushed to her when her condition worsened. On the day of the funeral service, they came and helped from early morning. On the following day, during the after-funeral dinner, they talked about their memories of Kokan, and recalled Oyasama's words. In the course of their talk, one of them tearfully said, "Indeed, we have been doubtful of God until now and have no word to excuse ourselves." On hearing this, one of the seniors who worked at the Residence suggested, "Why don't you form a confraternity?" Whereupon, the villagers talked, and agreed among themselves to form their own confraternity. When this was reported to Oyasama, She was very pleased. Then they had to name the confraternity, but at first the farmers could not think of a good idea. In the meantime, someone suggested, "Since this is the place of origin where God resides, how about naming it Tengen(divine locale)-ko?" Everyone agreed to this name, and they inquired of Oyasama about it. She said:
And She took off Her red formal coat and gave it to them, saying:
In this way the Tengen-ko Confraternity was born. Without naming anyone in particular as head of the confraternity, they held the monthly service on a fixed day each month at a different member's house, bringing the red garment to that place. |
四三 それでよかろう 明治八年九月二十七日（陰暦八月二十八日）、この日は、こかんの出直した日である。庄屋敷村の人々は、病中には見舞い、容態が変わったと言うては駆け付け、葬式の日は、朝早くから手伝いに駈せ参じた。 その翌日、後仕舞の膳についた一同は、こかん生前の思い出を語り、教祖のお言葉を思い、話し合ううちに、「ほんまに、わし等は、今まで、神様を疑うていて申し訳なかった。」 と、中には涙を流す者さえあった。 その時、列席していたお屋敷に勤める先輩が、「あなた方も、一つ、講を結んで下さったら、どうですか。」 と、言った。そこで、村人達は、「わし等も、村方で講を結ばして頂こうやないか。」 と、相談がまとまった。 その由を、教祖に申し上げると、教祖は、大層お喜び下された。そこで、講名を、何んと付けたらよかろう、という事になったが、農家の人々ばかりで、よい考えもない。そのうち、誰言うともなく、「天の神様の地元だから、天の元、天元講としては、どうだろう。」 とのことに、一同、「それがよい。」という事になり、この旨を教祖に伺うと、
と、仰せられ、御自分の召しておられた赤衣の羽織を脱いで、
と、お下げ下された。こうして、天元講が出来、その後は、誰が講元ということもなく、毎月、日を定めて、赤衣を持ち廻わって講勤めを始めたのである。
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