"Unity of Minds"
 (Itte hitotsu)

This term refers to the way Tenrikyo followers unite in working together toward a common goal, with their minds in genuine unison, rather than acting separately with different objectives. To allow for such unity, it is fundamental for those involved to bring their minds into accord with the truth of the path as well as to respect and help one another. The Doctrine of Tenrikyo states:

A unity of minds calls forth God's free and unlimited blessings. On the other hand, if there is no unity of minds, we shall not be acceptable to God the Parent, no matter how numerous we may be. Only when we become united in mind with the One Truth of the Path, each of us respecting and helping one another, shall we be able to live joyously and spiritedly.

pp. 74-75

The important thing is to come into unity with the truth of the path. If each of us becomes committed to accord with God the Parent's teachings, our minds can unite as one, and any undertaking we pursue, no matter how many of us are involved, will proceed smoothly as if being carried out by one person. This is what the following Divine Direction refers to:

If each of you upholds the unity of minds, there will be the truth of one person.

Osashizu, July 9, 1889

Such is the unity of minds, which is characterized by bringing our minds into accord with the teachings of God the Parent, not with the thoughts of one or another of us.

Another Divine Direction tells us:

Try to bring together all the teachings I have given you. . . . You will find that they are all rooted in one truth. If you bind yourselves together in a unity of minds, I shall provide any blessings for you.

Osashizu, January 19, 1898

If we all proceed as instructed by the Divine Directions, we will be united in mind and can be sure to have God the Parent provide for us.

The same applies to discussion, as indicated by the following Divine Direction:

It is of primary importance for the mind to accord with the truth. This done, any discussion you may have will settle in a unity of minds.

Osashizu, January 24, 1889

(This article was first published in the January 2005 issue of TENRIKYO.)