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2000 (Vol.1)

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Glocal Tenri Number 12 (December 26, 2000)

Akio Inoue "Opening Words: 'Motion to Terminate the Use of Kanji' and the Ofudesaki "

The history of the Japanese language is a history of a struggle to gain independence from kanji. One example is Hisoka Maejima's "Kanji go-haishi no gi" (Motion to terminate the use of kanji)(1866), which is historically synchronous, as a move away from kanji, with the Ofudesaki, whose writing began in 1869. The dialect of Yamato is suited for poetic expressions, but the Ofudesaki employs poetic expressions individually but displays a logical dimension as a whole; thus, it is based on a harmonization of oneness in two.

Special feature: "Ofudesaki and Romanization: Opening Words by the Head of the Institute Prior to Umesao's Lecture on "Language and Civilization"

What circumstances led Dr. Tadao Umesao, the chairman of Romanization Association, to come to Tenri? I will detail the events that led to this tie with the Romanization Association, the first since Dr. Kyozo Saito, who preceded Dr. Umesao as chairman, gave lectures at Tenri in the immediate postwar years and participated in Tenrikyo Doctrine Translation Research Committee in charge of the translation of the Ofudesaki. Dr. Yoshimoto Endo (Professor Emeritus, National Literature Kyoto University) always commented, "One should not speak about the Meiji period without first reading the Ofudesaki."

Special feature: Lecture by Dr. Tadao Umesao: "Language and Civilization: Reflections of Japanese as a Global Language"

The lecture given in Tenri in June is included. He touched upon the confinement of the Japanese language by kanji in the past 1000 years, and while noting the Latinization of the Chinese language, he also spoke about the crisis of the Japanese civilization in the age of information technology. Opposition to Romanization takes place at the level of culture; rather than English, only the Romanized form of the Japanese language, capable of expressing the highest form of civilization (science, technology, economy), can save the crisis of the Japanese "civilization."

Noboru Ota and Seiichi Nakai "Tenrikyo Scripture and the Yamato Dialect (12): Sources on Nara Prefecture Dialect [1] Nara-ken fuzoku shi (Record of folk practice in Nara prefecture)"

Within our study of the scriptures as well as the Nara dialects, we focused on one particularly valuable resource, the Nara-ken fuzoku shi, a document that was published in 1915 by the Nara Education Committee and carried out through cooperation of elementary school principals throughout the prefecture; specifically, we reported on the 39 categories that were included in the survey as well as the general features of the survey itself.

Koji Sato "Missiography of Tenrikyo Mission in Southeast Asia (7): Prewar Mission in the Phillipines [5]"

This article examines the missionary activities in Manila of Umajiro Takano, of Hokuetsu Branch Church, and Rokuroji Hosaka as well as Koichi and Mine Ogawa.

Akira Kaneko "Tenri Management Studies: Its History, Philosophy, and Future (12) Its Thought: Religion and Economy/Management [6]"

Within primitive Buddhism, which emphasized training based on renouncement of worldly things, a theory of labor did not exist. Mahayana Buddhism gave birth to a teaching based on actual practice that transcended the sacred-profane distinction between the priests and the laity. This philosophy fully blossomed in Ch'an (Zen) Buddhism, which began in China.

Toru Kotaki "Towards a Tenri Comparative Mysticism (12) Human Beings and Religion [3]"

In this article, I noted that the breakdown of community and the concomitant outbreak of private individuals account as the major factor for the emergence of world religion. In the next article, I will look at the relation between world religion, which emerged under such conditions, and civilization, and also the characteristics and limits embedded in these.

Masayoshi Kobayashi "Art, Healing, Religion (12) Collaboration and Networks"

Even in Western Europe, where roads toward a modern nation state were being paved much earlier than in Japan, the patterns of behavior themselves as harmonious collective actions were not part of the typical kinetic habits of the populace who first formed the military. In this sense, techniques were therefore acquired through the discipline of the body in most countries.

A profound book written by the American historian William McNeil entitled, Keeping Together in Time, suggests that a group evolves into becoming truly "human" only if it enacts harmonious movements.

There are three major consequences for human society when we look back at the forty thousand years of the formation of the culture of dance. First, the experience of the transformation of consciousness through dance has become the basis of rituals and a multitude of religious mentalities.

Further, human beings acquired a new stage in labor patterns through rhythmic movements. Finally, dance fosters a sense of solidarity in smaller groups that, when combined, construe larger groups.

Takeo Uesugi "Towards the Regeneration of the City: Reports from the United States (12) Democracy and American Society"

During the past two weeks since the Presidential Election, we have observed many activities including Gore's request for hand-recounts, the Florida Supreme Court rulings, Bush's petition to the federal court, etc. Through all this, we have learned that there is a discrepancy between the ideal and the practices of democracy in the U.S. However, it seems that the concept of democracy is still steady and healthy in America because of people's participation in finding the results of the election. This lesson tells us that open channel communication and education will be key components for uniting politics and economy in the coming century.

Chiaki Shiozawa "Brain Death and Organ Transplant: Reports from Canada (12) Islam and Organ Transplant"

There is yet to be found a unified theological perspective within Islam concerning organ transplant; however, decisions are made based on daily practice of its doctrines. Brain death is not considered death in the teachings of Islam.

Hiroshi Komuku "Religion, Sports, Gambling (12) Television Covering of High School Baseball and the Coincidentality of Sports"

Even among high school baseball television coverage, there is an intense competition for high audience ratings. In high school baseball coverage, as in the case of other sports coverage, television networks broadcast a variety of stories about the sports community, rather than concentrating simply on the essence of the sports itself, in order to garner a higher rating. The basic features of sports - its nomadic, coincidental, and risk-based nature - are left on the sidelines. That is, the "engendering" dimension, which is unique to sports, is diminished.


Glocal Tenri Number 11 (November 26, 2000)

Akio Inoue “Opening Words: Truth of Origin and the Synergetic Evolution of Human Life and Earth ”

The Truth of Origin coincides in deeply interesting ways with new discoveries taking place in the most advanced fields of science and technology. One example is the idea of synergetic evolution of life and earth. That is, both the universe and the human brain are based upon a balance and evolution of chaos and cosmos. The human heart also takes chaos as its grounds and matures towards the harmonic world of the cosmos.

Noboru Ota and Seiichi Nakai “Tenrikyo Scripture and the Yamato Dialect (11): The Scriptures and Grammar of Expression [5] Expressions of Possibilities”

In contemporary language usage, phrases expressing possibilities are found in forms of expression that employ verbs and auxiliary verbs relating possibilities. When examining the scriptures with particular attention to these forms of expression, we discovered that auxiliary verbs of “ra” and “ru” are connected to the five-level verbs while auxiliary verbs of “ra,” “re,” and “ru” are connected with single-level verbs. When analyzing the Ofudesaki and the Osashizu in regard to the uses of these expressions concerning possibilities, we can conclude that these scriptures comprise resources that reflect strongly remnants of grammatical usage associated with the early modern period. 

Katsuyuki Sasada “Structure of Enlightenment in Tenrikyo: Through a Comparison with Other Religions (11) Chapter 1 ‘To Know’ (6)

While scholarly research within the Tenri University today is highly specialized and compartmentalized into various scientific fields, we must, overcoming the fragmentation of dualistic thinking, also pursue the unification of the various sciences, the unification of culture, the unification of culture and existence, and the consolidation of science, value, meaning, and purpose.

Midori Horiuchi “Varieties of Tenrikyo Intercultural Mission (11): Tenrikyo Mission in Congo [10] During the Tenure of the First Head Minister (1963-1967) [4]”

In the aftermath of the failed coup d'etat in February of 1964 and the increasingly leftist tendency within politics in Congo, Takai was afflicted with high fever, an illness that prompted him to discover his own prejudices contrasted to the down-to-earth nature of the people of Congo. At about the same time, Nsonga's daughter changed her name from Shinbashira to Michino. In March, Iida arrived in Congo. There were big expectations among Congolese members towards a missionary who could speak the French language. However, the Congo that Iida would experience was one in which the ill effects of the French colonial era would manifest and the hearts of the people were undergoing turbulence.

Akira Kaneko “Tenri Management Studies: Its History, Philosophy, and Future (11) Its Thought: Religion and Economy/Management [5]”

The essential teaching of Buddhism is to calm the desires that form the basis for confusion and suffering. Among contemporary business management and economic activities, there are Buddhist management theories and Buddhist salvation studies that argue for human activity based on propriety that is informed by a sense of having enough through calming our desires and attachments.

Takanori Sato “Ecology: Its Thought and Practice (11) The Background to the Birth of Silent Spring[2]”

As if to predict the coming of today's ecological crisis, Rachel Carson, as a marine biologist, wrote the Silent Spring. She published this book as a warning to a society that did not understand the dangers of the malicious effects of agricultural chemicals, such as DDT, upon the human body and natural ecological system. However, an enormous resolve on her part formed the background of the making of this book. At the time, agricultural chemicals were positively regarded as a chemical medicine that was harmless to human and animal life and necessary for the society. To publish a book that would undermine this entrenched view necessitated a risk that would threaten her status as a writer of best-selling books.

Juri Kaneko “Recent Trends in Gender and Women's Studies (11): Ethics of Care[1]”

As an example of marginalized voice regarding moral language, I examine Carol Gulligan's In A Different Voice. I would like to reflect if the “ethics of care” raised in this book could be regarded as an alternative form of moral concepts.

Toru Kotaki "Towards a Tenri Comparative Mysticism (11) Human Beings and Religion [2]"

In this article, I discussed the practice of religion during periods of transition from hunter-gatherer society to agricultural and stockbreeding society.
              It is natural for religion to argue for its own transcendental nature, but at the same time, religions interact with its historical background and the social structures of its time. In this article, I reflected upon this relation within the process of the establishment of ancient religion to its demise.

Masayoshi Kobayashi “Art, Healing, Religion (11) The 'Achievements' of 'Music' Education”

            Classical Japanese music is assumed to be in double time. However, the approach towards “time and rhythm” differed between Japan and the West. While the purpose of “music education” may not directly have been shaped by militarism, the results of “music” classes were to play a significant role in inculcating a new rhythmic sense among the Japanese.

Takeo Uesugi “Towards the Regeneration of the City: Reports from the United States (11)”

            To support the functioning of the information age of the coming century, current worldwide interests lie on energy and material issues, particularly renewable energy and its application. However, it takes time to change the concept from the powerful fossil fuel uses to the new energy resources that fulfill both environmental and economical requirements. By showing examples of recent traffic problems in Los Angeles, this article challenged the traditional approach, in the United States, towards energy and transportation systems.
              There is no choice other than the establishment of comprehensive renewable energy and sustainable cities in the twenty-first century.  

Chiaki Shiozawa “Brain Death and Organ Transplant: Reports from Canada (11) One Frightening Story”

              A method to transport human organs, for purposes of transplantation, within living animals is being developed. Human genes and human life are being placed in a thoroughly new environment. What is the future of human life?

Hiroshi Komuku “Religion, Sports, Gambling (11) Sports and Coincidentality”

              Human beings, who cannot avoid the coincidental nature of sports, seek to reduce coincidentality through training and thus seek to increase the possibility of victory. That is, sports are based on trials, and because the results are swayed by coincidence, sports are also a form of risk-taking. We cannot assume that those who are talented will always win, and we need to reconsider the significance of coincidentality that we have marginalized to now.
              To such extent, media reports on the Sydney Olympics have overemphasized the dimension of inevitability (victory that is calculated and planned) in the world of sports.


Glocal Tenri Number 10 (October 26, 2000)

Akio Inoue "Opening Words: Religion and Sports"

   Sydney Olympic Games has ended. Four graduates, from Tenri University, two of them as head coaches for Judo and Synchronized Swimming and the two as Judo players, gained medals, one gold and two silvers. Making avail of this occasion, a symposium on sports and religion is to be held during the period of the First Tenri Sports Exhibition introducing a history of Tenri Judo.

Noboru Ota and Seiichi Nakai "Tenrikyo Scripture and the Yamato Dialect (10): The Scriptures and Grammar of Expression [5] Expressions of Cause and Justification [2]"

   Among the 1711 verses, 9% includes expressions of cause and justification; that is, this expression appears at a ratio of once every eleven verses. Among these verses, there are clear patterns in which the use of the expression is divided between the upper verse and lower verse, as well as simultaneous usage with auxiliary verb, "tari", as in the case with the word, "yu-e"; thus, the expression involves definite literary associations unlike other forms of expressions.

Katsuyuki Sasada "Structure of Enlightenment in Tenrikyo: Through a Comparison with Other Religions [10] Chapter 1 To Know[5]"

    What is absolutely necessary for perfection and development of human character is a religious education that nurtures pious religiosity and religious sensitivity, such as respect, love, and faith. And, religious education becomes a genuine form of religious education only when it is accompanied by the influence of the religion and human character of the educator.

Midori Horiuchi "Varieties of Tenrikyo Intercultural Mission (10): Tenrikyo Mission in Congo [9] During the Tenure of the First Head Minister (1963-1967) [3]"

   Takai was able to establish friendship with those who came to see him out of curiosity, and he began to teach these people the hand movements of the service. He instructed them to bring ill people to him, and proceeded to administer the Sazuke to these people. Also, he began to do missionary work outside the premises, and as his missionary work became active, there were numerous occasions when police authorities called upon him to report to the police station. In time, Church Headquarters sent Teruaki Iida, who was fluent in French, in order to receive an official permit to conduct missionary activities.

Akira Kaneko "Tenri Management Studies: Its History, Philosophy, and Future [10] Its Thought: Religion and Economy/Management [4]"

   Global ethics in Christianity integrates issues related to economy, ecology, and ecumenism. In this article, the theological reflections on global ethics will be explained, using sources such as Kung, WCC, and J. Moltmann.

Takanori Sato "Ecology: Its Thought and Practice (10) The Background of the Birth of Silent Spring"

   Rachel Carsons Silent Spring initiated a renewed stimulus among environmental protection movements in the United States during the 1960s. After financially struggling through as a student, she earned a master's degree, which was still uncommon at the time. A writer of a bestseller book and also a marine biologist, she received a letter, at the time, that was to change the course of her life.

Juri Kaneko "Recent Trends in Gender and Women's Studies (10): Native Topos [5]"

   How can we interpret the violence implied in the Hudood Ordinances instituted in Pakistan? This article will study a response from a cultural Muslim, Sara Suleri. The meaning of life as a diaspora, as suturing the global and local, will also be examined.

Toru Kotaki "Towards a Tenri Comparative Mysticism (10) Human beings and religion [1]"

   Moving away from comparisons of religions, this article will describe the relationship between the human race and religion from the stance of mind-body structure and social forms. I do so because I want to reconsider the existence of religion from its foundation. The following article will also trace the development of the history of religion.

Masayoshi Kobayashi "Art, Healing, Religion (10) Physical Education and Music"

   The aims of modern Japan's "physical education" curriculum were to produce the body of the soldier and its correlate, the body of the factory laborer. In such case, physical exercise appropriate to such bodies were chosen. To a certain extent, similar considerations propelled "music education" as well. Exercises requiring marching movements attuned to rhythmic songs were a new experience for the Japanese.

Chiaki Shiozawa "Brain Death and Organ Transplant: Reports from Canada (10) Relation between Organ Transplant and Religion [3]"

   There are various theological interpretations of brain death within the Judaic religion; this article will introduce the theological response that accepts brain death as death on grounds that brain death is equivalent to decapitation.

Takeo Uesugi "Towards the Regeneration of the City: Reports from the United States (10)"

   During the past thirty years or so, we have experienced the most powerful inventions in Information Technology, which include e-mail, the World Wide Web, graphical Internet browser, and so forth. These Information Technologies have changed the global economy and will be the primary tool for international advancement in industrial countries. The so-called "virtual world" will be the major trend in the upcoming century. However, all these different forms of technology have had serious impact on all aspects of society, such as politics, education, and communication. The current state in which this technology runs uncontrolled around the world will have to be examined and resolved in the near future.
   The sustainable city, on the other hand, is considered to be on the opposite side of the virtual world. It may be the true world where people are able to come into physical contact and socially interact. Through our study, we have come to the conclusion that a sustainable city carries a sense of community. Because of the dawn of the virtual world, it has become urgent for us to consider what a sustainable community is at the human scale, and furthermore, to explore how God and humans are tied together within the context of a sustainable environment. Let us start to find the way from the ground up, from the virtual world to a sustainable and human community.

Hiroshi Komuku "Religion, Sports, Gambling (10) Camp Accidents and Coincidentality"

   The essence of outdoor activities is the appeal of experiencing the non-quotidian in an environment that is swayed by factors of coincidentality and thus accompanying dangers. However, the development of means of transportation has expanded and made readily accessible a quasi-artificial "nature" that promises safety rather than threat. Therefore, this sense of safety implies an illusion of the necessity of safety rather than a dependence on coincidentality, or what Kuki has called, "one among many possibilities."
   The true danger of outdoor activities is not so much that it is conducted within nature but that it is carried out in a "nature" that, given a weakening awareness of the coincidentality of safety, demands a guarantee of safety.


Glocal Tenri Number 9 (September 26, 2000)

Akio Inoue "Opening Words: Significance of the Tenri University Gagaku Association's Performance at Dunhuang"

     This summer, the Tenri University Gagaku Association was invited to the 2000 International Conference on Dunhuang Studies held to commemorate the centennial since the discovery of the Dunhuang Library Cave. Members performed gagaku, ancient court music, on a stage assembled before the Mogao Grotto. It is noteworthy in the history of the Silk Road cultural exchange to have been able to recreate the melodies from a thousand years ago at this location. Theological meaning embedded in the Silk Road is enormous when one considers that Tenrikyo teachings are connected to other cultures and religions designated as "hidden providence."

Noboru Ota and Seiichi Nakai "Tenrikyo Scripture and the Yamato Dialect (9): The Scriptures and Grammar of Expression [4] Expressions of Cause and Justification [1]"

     In the Ofudesaki, there are several variations to express cause and justification. To categorize and analyze these expressions, it is important to understand its historical transformation since the early modern period and the grammatical framework in which these expressions appear; this article investigates this broad framework through an examination of the Kyogen rokugi (Six principles of Kyogen) and other early modern primary sources.

Katsuyuki Sasada "Structure of Enlightenment in Tenrikyo: Through a Comparison with Other Religions (9) Chapter 1 'To Know' [4]"

     For education aimed at "the completion of the personality," it is essential to incorporate education based on trans-socialization --- that is, a transition from "within society" to "within truth" --- and education based on "religious faith that abnegates happiness" and education based on "absolute truth".

Midori Horiuchi "Varieties of Tenrikyo Intercultural Mission (9): Tenrikyo Mission in Congo [8] During the Tenure of the First Head Minister (1963-1967) [2]"

     Takai arrived in Brazzaville on November 25, 1963, and on the following morning, he performed morning service with Kontani at Nsonga’s residence. On that occasion, he administered the Sazuke to two of Nsonga’s daughters for the first time. On November 27, Takai moved to a rented room. And on December 5, he was able to rent a house from which he would establish a missionary post.

Akira Kaneko "Tenri Management Studies: Its History, Philosophy, and Future (9) Its Thought: Religion and Economy/Management [3]"

     Work ethics based on active asceticism began with Paul and was incorporated into the secular life of the faithful through Luther’s idea of the calling; these formed the foundation of modern capitalism. In an examination of this development, this article will utilize the relation between religion and sports in terms of metaphor.

Takanori Sato "Ecology: Its Thought and Practice (9) The Emergence of 'Ecology'"

     In 1892, taking Ernst Haeckel’s concept of "oecologie," Ellen Swallow derived the term, "ecology," as a formal term to designate studies of the environment, and sought to disseminate the usage of this term. She was particularly distressed by the pollution problems that became apparent in the state of Massachusetts at the end of the 19th century. To draw attention to the actual conditions of the river system, she devoted her energy to the inspection of the quality of the water. She also began an analysis of various nutritions, as a way to study the "circulation system" involving both within and without the human body. She organized a consumer movement to prevent environmental pollution; to such extent, as a vocal opinion leader, she contributed to the foundations of the "ecology" movement at its inception. Swallow is truly a pioneer in the field of "ecology."

Masayoshi Kobayashi "Art, Healing, Religion (9) Body Formed by the Society, Society Formed by the Body"

     The changes in our bodies, or our movements, as described above, were responses to the social requirement which needed soldiers and factory workers who supported the newly built "modern nation state." They had to have a physical condition quite different from those of ordinary people in Edo Period. This was accomplished mainly through "physical education" and "music" classes in the new school system. Compared to the quality of the movement required by soldiers and factory workers, we can discern the characteristics of the movements in traditional Japanese folk dances, and another forms of human relations which are realized by those bodily movements.

Toru Kotaki "Towards a Tenri Comparative Mysticism (9) Sceneries of Death"

     This article is a comparative analysis of the forms of the founder’s death. The founder’s death has significant implications, and its influence is enormous because followers seek to emulate the forms of the founder's death. For such reason, this article will reconsider the meaning assigned to death.

Juri Kaneko "Recent Trends in Gender and Women's Studies (9): Native Topos [4]"

     This article problematizes Trinh T. Minh-ha’s anthropology as well as representations of third world women as the native. Noting Sara Suleri?s criticism of Trinh and Mohanty, I also examine the conditions in Pakistan, which forms the background for Suleris criticisms.

Chiaki Shiozawa "Brain Death and Organ Transplant: Reports from Canada (9) Relation between Organ Transplant and Religion [2]"

     In Judaism, debate over the theological implications of heart transplant and brain death appeared as soon as these medical issues came to the fore. And they have provided a conclusion based on their doctrines.

Hiroshi Komuku "Religion, Sports, Gambling (9) Gambling and Sports: Confrontation between Upper Class and the Bourgeois, as Seen in Tennis [2]"

     Until the host site for the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament was relocated in 1915, the Newport Casino was the scene of the conflict and tension between the new bourgeois and the aristocracy of the establishment, as well as between the modernization of tennis, implying its commercialization and use as venue for gambling, and the preference for tennis as a traditional sport. Thus, the social background adds an interesting dimension to its history.

Takeo Uesugi "Towards the Regeneration of the City: Reports from the United States (9) The Homeless and American Society"

     With increasing human population around the world, the homeless problem is of great concern in urban and suburban areas of the U.S. Current statistics reveal that the increasing homeless population in the U.S. consists of much younger generation in both male and female. These include African American, Caucasians and Hispanics. Further, many children are unable to attend school, as a result of being homeless. In the coming century, the increasing growth of the homeless problem will eventually surpass environmental concerns throughout the world. Individualism and materialism are two factors that greatly attribute to the increasing gap between poverty and wealth, resulting in more homeless people. Another factor is the rising population of single mothers. Many of them have insufficient income and fewer opportunities to achieve economic stability for residency. The homeless problem requires great attention by both the nations leaders and the general public. We must all work together to find solutions to the alarming increase of the homeless population.


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