my-server
← Wiki

Honbushin

(or 本普請, ) is a Tenrikyo-based shinshūkyō (Japanese new religion) founded on April 26, 1961 by Ōnishi Tama (大西玉), also known as "Miroku-sama" (みろく様) in the religion. It is headquartered in Okayama, Japan.

History

On April 26, 1961, Honmichi founder Ōnishi Aijirō's daughter Ōnishi Tama (大西玉; 1916–1969) (whom Aijirō and Honbushin followers consider to be the reincarnation of Nakayama Miki), founded Tenri Miroku-kai (天理みろく会, "Tenri Miroku Association"), which would later be renamed as Honbushin. In 1962, the organization separated from Honmichi. It was incorporated as a religious organization in 1966. Originally, it was headquartered in Takaishi, Osaka near the Honmichi headquarters, but then moved to Shiojiri, Nagano. In 1969, Honbushin moved to Okayama, where it set up its kanrodai on top of Mount Kami, southeast of the Okayama city center. Ōnishi Tama died on September 1, 1969, and religious authority was passed onto her son Takeda Sōshin (武田 宗真), who was proclaimed as the new Kanrodai-sama (甘露台様) succeeding Ōnishi Aijirō. Takeda was also considered to be the reincarnation of Honseki Iburi Izō.

Beliefs and teachings

The official symbol of Honbushin is called the Peace Mark (平和マーク), which was introduced in November 1981. It consists of a kanrodai inside a circle representing the blessings of God, who is known as Kami-sama (神様) or Tsuki-Hi ("Moon-Sun" 月日 or "Moon-Sun Twin Kami" 月日御両神様).

One of Honbushin's teachings is "Because Kami [God] exists, I exist" (神ありて我あり). The mantra Namu Kanrodai (南無甘露台) is chanted to honor the kanrodai.

In Honbushin, the three main elements are fire, water, and wind (火・水・風), which are equated with or the . These three kanji characters (火・水・風) are also prominently displayed on the exterior of Honbushin's center in Shiojiri, Nagano.

The "Three Heavenly Paths" (天定の三軌道) in Honbushin are:

  • Husband and wife (夫婦の道 (夫唱婦随))
  • Parents and children (親子の道)
  • Individuals (それぞれの道)

Honbushin followers believe in reincarnation.

Scriptures

Honbushin's founding doctrinal poem, Tenkei Mikyōsho (), was written by its founder Ōnishi Tama in September 1965. Tenkei Mikyōsho contains 100 lines.

As in Honmichi, some of the main scriptures used in Honbushin include the Ofudesaki and Okagura-uta (known as the Mikagura-uta in Tenrikyo), which also form the basic scriptural canon of Tenrikyo.

The term fushin (ふしん, 普請) originates from Ofudesaki passages I:35, I:38, and IV:6. The latter passage is:

Sacred sites

In Honbushin, an outdoor stone kanrodai is located in a shrine on the summit of (), located southeast of the city center of Okayama in Higashi-ku. To the east of the Kanrodai is a worship hall called Saiseiden (再生殿) adorned by a large spherical sculpture on top. At Saiseiden, worshippers pay respect to ancestors and pray for reincarnation. An observation deck can also be found to the south of the kanrodai. The is located in a valley to the north of the mountain (). The main building at the headquarters is the Fukujuden (福寿殿).

There is also a large outdoor wooden kanrodai () at the Honbushin International Center in Mililani, Hawaii, United States.

Locations

Honbushin also has a few major facilities outside Okayama Prefecture.

Shiojiri, Nagano Prefecture (甘露の里) was formerly the location of Honbushin's headquarters. The former Honbushin main building in Shiojiri, known as the Miroku-den (みろく殿), currently serves a convention center.

In Iwakuni, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Honbushin has a garden called Hōshiga'en (宝師ヶ苑). The garden contains a commemorative statue of Ōnishi Tama.

In the United States, the Honbushin International Center (also known as HIC Hawaii; formerly known as Kanro no Sato Hawaii 甘露の里ハワイ) is located in Mililani, Oahu, Hawaii. HIC Hawaii serves as a facility for community events such as public cultural festivals and monthly vegetable markets, and is not known to engage in religious proselytization.

See also

References

External links