Between September 5 and 9, the Tenrikyo Disaster Relief Hinokishin Corps of Iwate Diocese was dispatched to Miyako City, an area affected by Typhoon Lionrock. Making a rare landfall from the Pacific Coast, Typhoon Lionrock caused rivers and waterways to flood. Cor.ps members were entrusted with clearing away mud. A total of 159 members were dispatched over five days.

During Yuki Takeuchi’s presentation on “Sharing Pathways in Learning” (aka SPIL-ing) at the Tenri Forum 2016, he took questions from the audience and one of the questions that came up was “Why are the Tenrikyo Resource Wiki pages not mirrored on Wikipedia?”

He allowed me to answer the question over the microphone and given that I was put on the spot to answer a question that required a pretty long answer, I felt like I wasn’t able to give a very decent answer that was easy to understand.

Wikipedia was my first action to spread the teachings online

First, I understand why using Wikipedia would have been preferred because it was actually where I began my efforts in trying to spread the teachings of Tenrikyo online sometime around 2008-2010. It is an extremely popular website where any and everybody can create and edit information on the website. It has a massive database of other topics and information about Tenrikyo does exist.

Screenshot of the “Tenrikyo” page where I contributed 3 of the 6 images used on the page as well as a fraction of the contents on the page.

Wikipedia’s Verifiability and NPOV policies

First, verifying your claims is one of core policies of Wikipedia, even publishing research papers, or conclusive statements is policy of citing the sources of the information by verifiable sources. Therefore, no facts can simply be stated on Wikipedia and must have a corresponding source of where that information came from must be cited.

In Wikipedia, verifiability means that anyone using the encyclopedia can check that the information comes from a reliable source. Wikipedia does not publish original research. Its content is determined by previously published information rather than the beliefs or experiences of its editors. Even if you’re sure something is true, it must be verifiable before you can add it.[1] When reliable sources disagree, maintain a neutral point of view and present what the various sources say, giving each side its due weight.

Wikipedia: Verifiability

Even further, the statements made on the site as well as the sources of information must, as a policy, have a Neutral Point of View (NPOV).

NPOV is a fundamental principle of Wikipedia and of other Wikimedia projects. It is also one of Wikipedia’s three core content policies; the other two are “Verifiability” and “No original research”. These policies jointly determine the type and quality of material that is acceptable in Wikipedia articles, and, because they work in harmony, they should not be interpreted in isolation from one another. Editors are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with all three.

This policy is non-negotiable, and the principles upon which it is based cannot be superseded by other policies or guidelines, nor by editor consensus.

Wikipedia: Neutral Point of View (NPOV)

With our perspectives strictly set by the Tenrikyo Church Headquarters and not by a neutral party which is usually an anthropologist making his own distinction of the religion and its teachings, we cannot fulfil our goal of spreading the teachings in the way that we want to. For example, we cannot make statements based on the “The Doctrine of Tenrikyo” because it is a bias interpretation of the Tenrikyo teachings.

Another issue I also realized was that Oyasama was not only a central figure in “Tenrikyo Church Headquarters” but also in other “splinter groups” or “off-shoot religions” as well. So in that respect, contributing on the topic of Oyasama, we would have to remain neutral and acknowledge other interpretations and information about Oyasama and Tenrikyo in general.

Context of Words

Another reason, often that is used by video games or movies such as World of Warcraft and Starwars, a entirely separate wiki is created. Given the context of Tenrikyo some ordinary words or phrases are interpreted differently globally. For example, “Red Clothes” in Tenrikyo refer to the clothes that Oyasama wore, but globally or in the context of Wikipedia, that would have to be disambiguated because it could be referring to the red clothes in some other religion.

I am not against contributing to Wikipedia because there is much to contribute to about Tenrikyo there; I just can’t do it in the way that that Church Headquarters would probably like to see it described.

If you would like to contribute to the Tenrikyo Resource Wiki, please contact, me (via facebook Lewis Nakao).

The High School Division of Students Training Course began in Jiba on August 9. Divided by grade, the training course offers lectures in the basic teachings, hinokishin, Service dance and musical instruments practice.

Also included was the crossing of Jusan Pass, in which students spent valuable time cheering each other on while walking in the footsteps of Tenrikyo forebears.

The training course, in which students deepen their faith and friendship with their peers, will be held until August 15.

Tenri University and Tenri City hosted a “public viewing” to cheer on Shohei Ono, graduate student at Tenri University and Olympian at Rio de Janeiro judo 73 kg weight division. Tenri citizens and university students gathered for the event. The hall erupted in cheers when Ono collected his ippon win for the gold.

The 9^th International Hinokishin Corps was held between July 18 and 24.

Participants came from 14 countries and regions including the US mainland, Hawaii, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Venezuela, France, United Kingdom, Taiwan, South Korea, Nepal, Thailand and the Philippines. The largest number ever participated, with 283 participants.

Held every three years, as a special unit of the Oyasato Construction Hinokishin Corps, it allows Young Men’s Association members overseas to sow seeds of sincerity at Jiba. Moreover, it was held on the year of the 130^th Anniversary of Oyasama. Participants worked up a sweat preparing for the Children’s Pilgrimage among other activities.

The Children’s Pilgrimage, sponsored by Tenrikyo Church Headquarters, began on July 26. The sites are filled with activities and events designed to foster an attitude of gratitude and mutual help. Children’s smiles could be seen on each day of the festivities.

Tea tents and mist fans were set up as countermeasures against heatstroke.

The Oyasato Parade is held every night with marching bands, fife and drum groups, and floats. The Children’s Pilgrimage will be held until August 5.

The Tenrikyo Resource has finally been acknowledged by the Tenrikyo English-speaking community in having it mentioned and praised in the Tenri Forum 2016 by multiple speakers.

Special thanks to Yukihito Takeuchi and Yoshi Hal Adachi for making TR the focal point of their presentation on “Sharing Pathways in Learning” (aka SPIL-ing).

I hope that we can continue the momentum built by the success and inspiration of this event to continue our efforts to spread the teachings of Tenrikyo. I also appreciate everyone who has been following Roy Forbes and I’s efforts from the beginning which was around 2010.

At the forum, participants were encouraged to join TR and our efforts, so if you are interested in contributing to TR, please contact me, Lewis Nakao (lewdev@gmail.com). Be sure to read our “About” page.

Tenri University students visit Kumamoto to engage in disaster relief activities. (Sorry, no translation of the narration this time around)

On June 5, a send-off reception was held for Tenri University alumnus Shohei Ono, who is to battle in the 73 kg weight division in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics. About 350 attendees participated, including the Shinbashira.

Shohei Ono is garnering quite a lot of attention as he trains for his Olympics appearance.

At the reception Coach Kosei Inoue said he expects Ono to display the spirit of Tenri Judo at the Olympics.

The 73 kg weight division competitions will take place on August 8.

Ono: “At the Olympics luck is necessary on top of ability. I hope that you will pray for me as I compete on the other side of the globe on August 8. I humbly ask for your support.”

On May 23, Ibaraki Diocese visited Ibaraki Prefectural Office to report on Disaster Relief Hinokishin Corps (DRHC) activities.

Last September DRHC helped schools in Joso City reopen after the flooding of the Kinugawa River.

Ibaraki Diocese Superintendent Yoshinori Ogita met with Governor Masaru Hashimoto to show videos and pamphlets of DRHC activities. Governor Hashimoto expressed his thanks and spoke on how the DRHC could cooperate with the prefecture in the future.