Ofudesaki Part 06

Ofudesaki
Author: Miki Nakayama Date Published: 1998 Pages: 486 (English ed.) Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15 Part 16 Part 17 unnumbered set

Ofudesaki Part 06 is an outline of the 6th part of the Ofudesaki. This outline is based on what appears in Thoughts on a Thematic Outline of the Ofudesaki by the second Shinbashira Shozen Nakayama. Ofudesaki Part 6 was written in December 1874.

Part 6: The teachings on the beginnings of origin

1. “Something marvelous” and “Calm your minds and please listen”—that is, God the Parent’s message and the attitude to be taken by human beings 1, 2, 3, 4
2. The way to settle the world is universal salvation by means of the Joyous Service. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10–1, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16
3. Preparing for the Service 17, 18–9, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26–7, 28, 29
4. The teachings on the beginnings of origin in order to reveal the truth of the Service 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54

A talk from the 21st day of the 12th month

1. The relationship between the Service and Oyasama 55, 56, 57–8, 59, 60, 61–2, 63
2. Reconstructing the world into the Joyous Life by means of the Service 64–5, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72–3, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78–9
3. Again, the teachings on the beginnings of origin 80–5
4. God the Parent’s painstaking efforts in the beginnings of origin; urging self-reflection to those who cannot understand the divine intention behind these efforts 86–7, 88, 89–90, 91, 92, 93, 94–5, 96, 97, 98, 99–101, 102, 103, 104, 105–8, 109, 110–1
5. Those who cannot understand God the Parent’s intention are again urged to engage in self-reflection. 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117
6. Self-reflection and true parental love 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 132–3, 134

Part summary by Yoshitaro Ueda

From Michi no dai: Foundation of the Path 35:63–4

Let us look at Part VI. First, I would like us to read together the “Summary of Part VI” to gain an overview of this part.

In the opening verses, Part VI succinctly describes what this teaching aims to achieve, telling people that this path is “the true path that will settle this world.” Saying that the fundamental means to accomplish this is the performance of the Joyous Service, Part VI urges that the Service performers who are in accordance with the divine intention quickly assemble. This part also presents the main body of the story of the truth of origin, which teaches the truth of the Service. Prior to that, the term “Tsukihi” (Moon-Sun), which refers to God, begins to be used.
Part VI goes on to explain the causalities relating to this Teaching’s founding and then teaches the truth of the red clothes. In addition, this part laments how in actual society the “high mountains”–unaware of the exhaustive efforts God the Parent made to create this world–are abusing their authority as they see fit. Part VI refers to changing this state of affairs to reconstruct the world as a world that accords with God the Parent’s intention. This part also contains references to disasters and illnesses seen as “returns.” In addition, this part teaches the truth of the Sazuke and says that, no matter what returns people may receive, they are all given out of concerns over the well-being of the children, all human beings. God guarantees to save them if they make their minds truly sincere.

Part VI contains extremely important material and may be described as one of the high points of the entire Ofudesaki. In particular, this part includes the main body of the story of the truth of origin. The story of the truth of origin is a story that teaches the truth of the Service. This should give us an idea of the importance of Part VI since the Service is the fundamental component of the path of single-hearted salvation.