Tenrikyo-Ofudesaki - Sure Guides - Table of Contents IV4b - The Family Recipe
This
"recipe" is concerned with alleviating the suffering associated with
illnesses or troubles of any sort but particularly those that are severe,
such as those that cannot be dealt with
by medicine.
The translators choice of "family recipe" here is, I think, both an appropriate and happy choice. The words "family", "recipe" and "Ingredients" when pondered, provide a great deal of information. For instance the use of the word "family" in association with the word "recipe" brought to my mind that I recently asked my wife to pass along her mother's recipes, which she no doubt had received from her mother, to our son. So I would say that the use recipe implies that it is something that can be done at home while also indicating something that is intended to be appropriate for the entire human family and to last by being passed on generation after generation.
The association of the words "recipe" and "ingredients" provides a powerful and simple teaching tool; the use of the word "recipe" of course informs us that we are being given instructions for something to be made. When we think of following a recipe we almost automatically take into consideration the availability of ingredients, stated preparation time and look forward to success and enjoyment of the finished dish. Other factors taken in consideration when looking at a recipe are the season and various tips, usually from sources that have already mastered the recipe, concerning possible substitutions as well as known errors that might occur during the preparation process and spoil the dish.
It turns out then that a happy little metaphor can be pregnant with meanings; so let's step through some of them:
| Something to be Made | Ingredients | Preparation Time | Season | Expected Outcome | Expertise |
I shall teach you the family recipe for your assured salvation.
From now on, I shall tell you clearly about the ingredients.
Please understand whatever I say.