Ofudesaki 04:018

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Ofudesaki
Ofudesaki (English).jpg
Author: Miki Nakayama
Date Published: 1998
Pages: 486 (English ed.)

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Part 10
Part 11
Part 12
Part 13
Part 14
Part 15
Part 16
Part 17
unnumbered set

Ofudesaki 04:018 is a verse from the Ofudesaki. The English translation below is the sixth edition translation.

Content

Remember what followed the epidemic of the cows in the past. ima made no ushi no saki michi omote miyo いまゝでのうしのさきみち をもてみよ
Let all of you in high places beware. kami taru tokoromina ki o tsukeyo 上たるところ みなきをつけよ

Alternate English translations

Third Edition

Remember the forerunning epidemics of cows in the past! All of those are in the upper place must be attentive.

Inoue/Eynon

Recall the aftermath of the cattle plague in the past. Let all the officials be attentive to this matter.

Commentary

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This section contains translated material that has not yet been subjected to peer-review to check for accuracy and clarity. While the translator(s) have given their best effort to render Japanese text into English, we would like readers to keep in mind that the present translation may require further revising and refining. Any input to improve the present translation is greatly welcomed.

Translator(s): Roy Forbes

Ofudesaki chushaku

4:18 Think of the miserable situation where the cattle plague became widespread in the past. The pestilence became widespread because those in high places were caught in the flow of their human thinking without considering My intent. Thus all of you must be fully careful.

*Note: “Epidemic of the cows” refers to the acute cow plague that struck the Yamato region. According to the stories of the elders, many cattle perished and plagues ran rampant the following year.
Note on Japanese: “ushi” refers to the “cow epidemic” or cattle plague; “sakimichi” refers to a sign or omen.

『おふでさき註釈』、p. 56

一八、従前に流行した牛疫のあさましい状態をよく考えて見よ。上に立つ人々が、親神の心を悟らずただ人間思案にのみ流れていたので、悪疫が流行したのであるから、皆よく気を付けるようにせよ。

註 うしのさきみち 古老の言によれば、大和地方に嘗て急性の牛疫流行して、またたく間に多くの牛がたおれ、その翌年になって疫病しょうけつを極めたという事がある。
うしとは、その牛疫の意であって、
さきみちは、先触れと意。

Commentary by Yoshitaro Ueda (2008)

From Michi no dai: Foundation of the Path 34:42

Ofudesaki chushaku, which speaks of a cow epidemic that resulted in the death of many cattle, says that, in the year after this cow epidemic, there was a human epidemic that was extremely tragic. The cow epidemic seems to have been a harbinger of a serious situation that was to happen to humans. Given this verse, it is difficult to interpret verse 17. Nevertheless, I would agree with Ofudesaki chushaku’s interpretation that “korori” indicates a total change in those of Kara and that God is impatiently waiting for those of Kara to entirely replace their minds.

In fact, the Ofudesaki does contain one instance of the word “korera.” It occurs in this verse: “The world is saying that it is cholera [korera], but it is Tsukihi informing you of the regret” (XIV:22). On the other hand, the word “korori” appears in this verse: “This path will change entirely [korori to kawaru] from what it has been until now. All of you, settle your minds” (XV:46). If we consider all these things, verse 17 seems to mean that God is eagerly waiting for those who are not in accordance with God’s intention to replace their minds entirely.

The trouble is that it seems rather unlikely for people who are not in accord with God’s intention to proactively replace their minds. So if we are living in a way that does not accord with the divine intention, we may be provided with a situation designed to alert us to the need to change our state of mind, perhaps a challenging situation that leaves us with little choice but to replace our minds. The verses here seem to say that before such a situation arises there is always a warning sign. Rather than occurring suddenly without any warning, such a challenging “knot” will be preceded by some sort of sign such as the “epidemic of the cows.” The Ofudesaki seems to say that, although people in positions of authority and power are obeying “those of Kara,” a situation will arise where “those of Kara” themselves will have no alternative but to replace their minds entirely and that this situation will be preceded by a warning sign. People in high places are advised to pay close attention to what is occurring and to take such a sign as an opportunity to correct their way of handling the mind and living their lives.

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