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According to the dictionary, the Japanese word tanno is an altered form of the word tannu, which has the following meanings: (1) to be sufficiently fulfilled; to be satiated (2) to be content; to be satisfied (3) to be skilled; to excel in learning/academics. In Tenrikyo, apart from meaning (3), the word tanno (joyous acceptance) is used in a manner similar to (1) and (2). However, tanno is not only used when things have been sufficiently met or when our hopes have been completely fulfilled. Rather, it is especially when we are faced with adversity or a difficult situation that we use it, saying, for example: "Let us practice tanno" or "Be sure to practice tanno." Yet tanno should not be understood as meaning simply to endure or tolerate a situation. Even though we may be presented with a painful situation from time to time, it most certainly does not mean that God the Parent has any intent to trouble us or make us suffer. We are presented with painful situations due to God the Parent's heartrending parental love that wishes us to quickly take notice that the current manner we are living our lives will lead us to a future of darkness and suffering. God the Parent desires us to replace and settle our mind so that we use it in a constructive manner. When we truly awaken to our causality, apologize from the bottom of our heart, and express repentance, we can savor inexpressible joy that comes from perceiving the profound parental love God the Parent has for us (see "The Self-Awareness of One's Causality" [5.14]). We are taught that "tanno" or "joyous acceptance" refers to the mind-set that perceives God's parental love in the situations we are presented with and accepts with joy how things turn out to be. In the Osashizu, there is a Direction that can be summarized as follows: "You will most likely find it difficult to joyously accept the situation when various matters pile on top of one another here and there. Listen well. Settle the mind of joyous acceptance in which you have gratitude for the wonderful manner in which you are led through each day. Even if I say, 'Accept it with joy,' you will most likely find it impossible to do so when the body is suffering and in pain. However, you ought to be able to understand if you have fully listened to the talks of this path. Ponder over the fact that you have been on the receiving end of a sufficient amount of parental love on a daily basis until today. To accept a painful physical condition or circumstance with joy when it is difficult to do so is to express repentance for the causality from your previous lives. There is no other way to express repentance for the causality from your previous lives than this" (Refer to Osashizu, March 23, 1899). When we settle the mind of joyous acceptance and entrust all matters to the guidance of God the Parent's parental love, this helps to open the path of expressing repentance for our past, wipe away dust and self-centeredness from the mind, transform our causality, and allow us to step out into a future in which we are enveloped in God the Parent's infinite blessings. |
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