Teaching of Tenrikyo

Passing Away for Rebirth

In Tenrikyo, a person's death is called denaoshi, or "passing away for rebirth." It refers to the returning of the body, which has been borrowed from God the Parent.

The literal meaning of denaoshi is "to make a fresh start." Death is, therefore, the beginning of a new life--a starting point to be reborn into this world with a new body befitting our soul, which has been conditioned by the causality stemming from our use of the mind.

Our soul, which returns to this world with a new borrowed body, will again be affected by our use of the mind before it goes through "passing away for rebirth." The process of births and rebirths will thus continue.

Passing on the baton of life to the next generation

Death is usually perceived as sad or frightening, and birth auspicious. In Tenrikyo, however, death and birth are taught as "passing away for rebirth" and "being reborn into this world," respectively.

Death is not the end. It is a beginning or turning point leading to rebirth.

If you think about it, you will realize that there can be no birth without death. Death and birth are of one truth and cannot be separated.

Expressions like "passing away for rebirth" and "being reborn into this world" refer to turning points in an endless cycle of life. These expressions imply that death is not an end but a new beginning and that birth is not simply a beginning. They suggest that each and every one of us is part of the great continuum of life. We are walking on the path to the Joyous Life by passing on the baton of life from generation to generation.

from Yoboku's Guide to Tenrikyo, translated by Tenrikyo Overseas Department