God the Parent teaches us the phrase "one day, a lifetime" in the Divine Directions.

This expression has often been used independently of the passages containing it and, consequently, I feel that there are times when it is interpreted and used to mean something different than its intended meaning.

For example, it is sometimes interpreted to mean that we must live each day as a lifetime. Our bodies are things borrowed from God the Parent and we are enabled to live each day by God the Parent's blessings. None of us can be sure that we will be alive tomorrow. Therefore, we must direct all our energies to living today as a lifetime so that, at the end of the day, we will not have to regret having left some work for tomorrow.

If we become aware of the truth of "things lent, things borrowed," gratitude for the life we enjoy each day will well up within ourselves. This gratitude will naturally lead us to live each day seriously and sincerely as though it were a lifetime. Surely, this is the state of mind we followers of the path are expected to attain. But the expression "one day, a lifetime" is used in the Divine Directions to provide us with a different instruction.

The following are some of the Directions containing the phrase "one day, a lifetime": one day, a lifetime, firmly settle one mind.

Osashizu, July 25, 1888

One day, a lifetime, one mind. Sah, sah, the Sazuke.

Osashizu, December 7, 1888

Almost all the Divine Directions containing the expression "one day, a lifetime" were delivered whenever the Sazuke was bestowed. Now, what state of mind is one likely to have on the day when one receives the truth of the Sazuke? One would be very grateful for God the Parent's blessing and would resolve to settle the mind of true sincerity that is only intent on serving single-hearted salvation. I feel that the phrase "one day, a lifetime" tells us to maintain this state of mind, settled on that particular one day, throughout our lifetime.

A similar point is also made in the Divine Directions delivered in response to inquiries concerning living in a church, which read in effect: "Before making this inquiry today, you have made a resolve with regard to how you would serve your church. Keep that state of mind fixed throughout your lifetime. Concerning the matter you are inquiring about, permission is given in response to that mind." The Divine Direction given in response to an inquiry concerning marriage also makes the same point: "If you settle the day of your marriage as the truth for your lifetime...."

(The above is a translation--first published in the August 1995 issue of TENRIKYO--of an article excerpted from Omichi-no-kotoba by Yoshikazu Fukaya, published by Doyusha Publishing Company.)