Nakayama Miki (Oyasama / Foundress of Tenrikyo)
Prophets & Divine Messengers • Historical Archive • 🇯🇵 Japan • 11 views

Nakayama Miki (Oyasama / Foundress of Tenrikyo) 🇯🇵

中山みき (Known as "Oyasama / Nakayama Miki")
Religious Prophetess, Foundress of Tenrikyo, Living Shrine of God the Parent
Born Jun 02, 1798 🇯🇵 San-maiden, Japan
Passed Away Feb 18, 1887 Tenri, Japan
Lifespan 88 years old
11 views
Notice / Correction
"There is no such thing as sickness or suffering in human beings; it is only the dust piled upon the mind. When you sweep away the dust, the Joyous Life shines forth naturally."

Archival Overview

Affectionately revered as 'Oyasama' (Beloved Parent) by millions of Tenrikyo followers, Nakayama Miki became the living shrine of God the Parent (Tenri-O-no-Mikoto) in 1838, divesting herself of all possessions to teach the Joyous Life (Yokigurashi).

Biographical Record

Nakayama Miki was born into a farming family in Yamato Province (Nara Prefecture), Japan. From childhood, she exhibited intense compassion and piety. In autumn 1838, during an incantation to heal her son's severe illness, she fell into a divine trance and God the Parent spoke through her: 'I am the Creator, the true and original God. I have descended at this time to save all humankind, and I wish to take Miki as My living Shrine.'

Poverty as the Path to Joy

Surrendering her life entirely to the divine will, she gave away her rice, clothes, money, and dismantled her family's storehouses, plunging into voluntary absolute poverty. She proclaimed that clinging to material hoardings creates spiritual dust (greed, arrogance, covetousness), whereas helping others brings the true 'Joyous Life' (Yokigurashi).

The Ofudesaki and the Kagura Service

Between 1869 and 1882, under direct divine inspiration, she wrote the Ofudesaki (1,711 poetic verses written with the tip of the writing brush) revealing the divine cosmology, human origin at the Jiba in Tenri, and the dance (Kagura Service) that washes away cosmic suffering. Persecuted and imprisoned eighteen times by Meiji police for preaching universal equality, she remained serenely unbroken until her passing at age ninety.

Key Life Milestones

1838

Divine Revelation & Total Voluntary Renunciation

Becomes the living shrine of God the Parent and gives away all personal wealth to teach the Joyous Life.

1869

Writing the Ofudesaki & Establishing the Jiba

Begins recording the 1,711 verses of the Ofudesaki scripture and institutes the sacred Kagura healing dance.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial
Tenrikyo Church Headquarters, Oyasama Sanctuary
Tenri, Japan
GPS: 34.5989, 135.8450
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