On February 25, Hinokishin School held a symposium at the Home of the Parent to discuss the teaching of a “thing lent, a thing borrowed”–the teaching that the human body belongs to God, whose body is the entire universe. The event, attended by 260 people, provided a helpful perspective on the implementation of salvation work.<\/p>\n
The symposium featured a keynote address by Rev. Norio Tanabe, head minister of Konohana Grand Church, who said that the teaching of a “thing lent, a thing borrowed” lies at the heart of such practices as selfless and thankful action known as hinokishin <\/em>and salvation work.<\/p>\n “We human beings are enabled by God the Parent’s providence to be alive so that we may live the Joyous Life, but how our lives actually unfold depends entirely on our mind,” he said. “We live as free and responsible beings.”<\/p>\n He showed slides to illustrate the intricate functions of what he called the “nine instruments” of the body, such as the eyes, ears, and nose. Then he said: “The way we use these wonderful instruments shapes the lives we lead. We should give serious thought to how to use them in order to accord with God the Parent’s intention.”<\/p>\n He added that a tremendous feeling of appreciation and gratitude would flow from the realization that the ingenious structure and unimaginably delicate functionings of the bodies lent to us by God are such that even the cutting-edge sciences and technologies of our day cannot produce them.<\/p>\n In the panel discussion, which followed, Rev. Tanabe was joined by Harunohi Branch Church Head Minister Taro Shiba and Tenri University Prof. Akira Kaneko, both of whom serve on the steering committee for Hinokishin School. Among other remarks, Head Minister Shiba said: “The teaching of ‘a thing lent, a thing borrowed,’ teaches us to feel and appreciate God the Parent’s workings within our bodies. Hinokishin <\/em>is to express that appreciation through actions. And salvation work is to impart that sense of appreciation to others so that they can also feel God the Parent’s workings within their bodies.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" On February 25, Hinokishin School held a symposium at the Home of the Parent to discuss the teaching of a “thing lent, a thing borrowed”–the teaching that the human body belongs to God, whose body is the entire universe. The event, attended by 260 people, provided a helpful perspective on\u2026<\/p>\n