Translator's preface

Juichi Naniwa, founder of the Tengen Kyoh religion, was born Dec. 10, 1902 at Kojima-gun, okayama-Pref., a brown haired, blue eyed baby. These unusual features in a Nipponese baby were noted and wondered at by the family and friends. As the years went on, his hair took a blackish cast but his eyes have a grey or bluish cast even today.

In childhood he was different from the other children in his village, more interested in speaking of the gods and a way of life that emphasised peace and unity among people and nations, rather than the conversations and by-plays engaged in by his peer group. For this reason, much fun was made of him and he grew up, more or less, without the companionship of people his own age.

One day, when he was twelve years old, he and his family were on the bank of a river and he was explaining about the gods and his theory of life when his father and mother approached him, kneeling in front of him, they acknowledged that they believed him and ask for his blessing.
This was an almost unprecedented thing for Nipponese parents to do. From that day forth, he determined that regardless of the cost he would preach his beliefs and teach others the way to a good life in harmony with the gods.

He graduated from Nagoya Industrial Technical College as an engineer and went to work for a large important company in Nippon. His radical ideas of bridge building, road construction and erection of houses were ignored by officers of the company as having no merit. These theories have since been incorporated into engineering principles.

About 1930 he determined that he would devote his life to propounding his beliefs. He suffered from the hands of the government, who before the Second World War, dictated to the Nipponese people even the religions they would follow. Tengenkyoh was not one that acknowledged the Emperor as a Divine God and, therefore, was in disrepute. He was jailed several times because of his teachings and he and his family suffered greatly. Reduced to virtually poverty, he persisted and after the war, he attracted many of the intelligentsia of Nippon who became his followers.

Today, many in public life, industry, the universities and the arts study and follow the prin ciples of Tengenkyoh. It is interesting to note that a large majority of his followers are university students and graduates who are entering into policy making position in his nation.

Mr. Naniwa is now in his seventies, energetic and clear-minded. In his home dwell his children and grandchildren. He lives modestly, asking for no alms. His followers give good-will offerings, none of which he sees, as his wife is the manager and runs the home, paying bills and providing for the needs of the family. Mr. Naniwa being truly a religious man, shares all his worldly possession with those he deems will use it for the benefit of others. As he advanced in age, he advances in wisdom and shares that wisdom with those who seek it.

Catherine M. Moran

Translator's preface

I express my gratitude here for the great help of the writer, Mr. Juichi Naniwa, founder of Tengenkyoh Religion, and his son, Mr. Rimon Naniwa, and Major Catherine M. Moran USAF Ret. in translating this book.

This book is some of the precious data gained through Mr. Juichi Naniwa's constant study and painful experiences over long years, and was written with the intention of guiding people's steps onto the righteous path and of making a true paradise on the earth by teaching, with easy explanations, why humans come into existence and how they should live in this world.

I had studied Old-Shintoism, Buddhism, Yogi, Christianity, and many other religions, but I found many inconsistencies as I advanced in the study of them, so that I departed from those teachings. A few years later, I found the teachings of Tengenkyoh Religion, and after I critically studied the teachings for several years, I understood its righteousness and profoundness, and have come to believe in many gods from my heart.

You usually have, more or less, various kinds of problems or difficulties (whether you are aware of them or not) which must be solved, in order that you may discharge your duties as humans during your life and may get to Johbutsu (rest in peace) after death.

Are you not aware of those difficulties consisting both of the part which can be solved by your ability or through your efforts and the other part beyond your ability, that is, which can not be solved without seeking the god's power? lf you are aware of this, I think you will be aware that gods never give you their help unless you reform yourselves. Therefore, you will understand why you should believe in gods, and deify and cling to them, and also why you have to be a good hearted person by reforming yourself.

You have many chances to be saved even if you have many kinds of difficulties, so that you do not have to resign yourselves to your lot, nor must you feel you have nothing more to lose and descend to evil. In Tengenkyoh Religion, there are various methods (Heavenly rules) by which you can be saved.

I, myself, have been saved from many difficulties, and also have had numerous mysterious experiences as have many other believers. From these, I can confidently recommend the teachings of Tengenkyoh Religion to our readers, and expect that as many people as possible can be saved, and that they take part in making a true paradise on the earth.

Masaru Awa