English
Español
Français
日本語Teaching of Tenrikyo
Hinokishin
Selfless and Thankful Action
Hinokishin is spontaneous action that expresses our gratitude for God the Parent's providence.
Anyone - whether rich or poor, young or old - can do hinokishin so long as the mind of sincerity is present. In The Doctrine of Tenrikyo, we are taught: "As our perception of the divine blessings in every event grows keener day by day, our gratitude to God the Parent comes to be expressed in our attitude and in our actions. This is taught by God the Parent as hinokishin."* Hinokishin, therefore, refers to our daily actions that are an outpouring of joy, and it can take any form. Whatever actions we perform joyously and spiritedly with gratitude to God may be considered as hinokishin.
In the Mikagura-uta, we are taught:
As this Residence is the field of God,
Every seed sown here will sprout.
Mikagura-uta VII:8
As implied in this verse, hinokishin primarily refers to sowing the seeds of sincerity at the Jiba. However, since local churches in each community receive the truth of the Jiba, sowing the seeds of sincerity at those churches is also considered hinokishin. In a broader sense, hinokishin can refer to any actions that bring joy to God the Parent.
"Hinokishin"
The term hinokishin is composed of two Japanese words: hino meaning "daily" and kishin meaning "contribution." Thus, hinokishin literally means "daily contribution." It can also mean "contributing the day" or "contributing what one does in a day." It is, so to speak, a contribution of time.
From the Scriptures
About salvation, I delight in the one mind that says, "Allow me to do hinokishin even for one day." Marvelous construction for salvation - marvelous construction is for the acceptance of your sincerity.
Osashizu, June 15, 1890
from Yoboku's Guide to Tenrikyo, translated by Tenrikyo Overseas Department
