A modern Japanese religious movement: Tenrikyo

Tenrikyo is one of Japan's prominent new religious movements. It emerged in the 19th century, when Japan's modernization activities began. Nakayama Miki founded this religion when she was in her forties, claiming to have received revelations from a god named Tenri O-no Mikoto (Parent God). It promises relief from individual suffering in the troubled conditions of the Tokugawa Period (1603-1868). This promise is also evident in other contemporary religions. Founder Nakayama Miki is also a healer. Healing is central to Tenrikyo belief. Miki's first revelation experience also took place during the practice of healing her sick son. On the other hand, Tenrikyo bears traces of the beliefs of the period in which it emerged. Although the effects of Shintoism and Buddhism are seen predominantly, it is understood that it was also influenced by Christianity. The dance of creation called Kagura Tsutome is the most important ritual. This dance is the reenactment of a mythological story about the creation of the human race. It is performed around the sacred pillar found only in the City of Tenri. The study consists of five parts. In the first chapter, the phenomenon of religion, modernization and new religious movements in Japan were examined. In the second part, the birth of Tenrikyo and the life of the founder are explained. In the third chapter, the principles of belief and the understanding and practices of worship are discussed. In the fourth chapter, the sacred texts are processed. In the last chapter, the current situation of the Tenrikyo religious movement is explained and the study is concluded.