Tenrikyo-Ofudesaki - Sure Guides: Is there not a way
These
poem express not only hastening and guidance but also frustration and
regret. First: There is the expression of parental frustration and regret
that despite all of the tireless efforts of the parent, the minds of the
children have yet to be convinced to ponder deeply, reveal and return to
their innermost heart, the true origin of the mind and the source of
single-hearted salvation of all kinds.
Second: We are shown the regret of our parent over the fact that our self-centered imaginations, being naturally without any knowledge of their true origin, are proving extremely difficult to talk to and reason with. Metaphorically our self-centered imaginations have accumulated common truths of self that over time have hardened into truths of our world. Those truths of the world then form a barrier to understanding the truth of their origin and at least temporarily have to be removed to reveal the true origin of the mind and the high spirited joy that flows from it.
Third: From the point of view of our original parent our species is still in its infancy and so far it looks like we are having trouble managing the new and very powerful self-centered imagination that our species has been gifted with. That is, we may be hurting ourselves instead of reaping the joy that such a powerful tool is capable of delivering. For that reason our original parent is hastening the return of the self-centered imagination to its manufacturer, metaphorically (Jiba) so that it can be upgraded by providing it with the truth of it origin as a sure and true foundation for its future use as it returns new and refreshed to play in the world.
It is from my love for my children.
All my many children in the world, is there not a way I can
make you understand from your innermost heart?
I tell you these things so repeatedly
because I fear the path your are taking.