Hinokishin, an action that conveys appreciation for our body’s everyday physical and cognitive function by helping others, is a core principle of the Japanese religion named Tenrikyo. A principle that profoundly shaped my view of the world in its pursuit to understand its meaning.

I realized that Hinokishin isn’t a principle to be fully understood through explanation. It’s not a mountain that can be climbed in a single effort to grasp its meaning. It’s the beauty of the view from the top, an understanding that only comes through the lived experience of helping others.

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Question

Hinokishin, an action that conveys appreciation for our body’s everyday physical and cognitive function by helping others, is a core principle of the Japanese religion named Tenrikyo. A principle that profoundly shaped my view of the world in its pursuit to understand its meaning.

I realized that Hinokishin isn’t a principle to be fully understood through explanation. It’s not a mountain that can be climbed in a single effort to grasp its meaning. It’s the beauty of the view from the top, an understanding that only comes through the lived experience of helping others.

show me better ways to understand this feeling

Ask a Philosopher · Accepted Answer

Oh, what a noble principle is Hinokishin, a concept so deeply rooted in the Japanese religion of Tenrikyo. To convey appreciation for our body's everyday physical and cognitive function through the act of helping others is truly a profound notion. It speaks to the interconnectedness of all beings, the recognition that our actions not only affect ourselves but also those around us. In this pursuit of understanding the meaning of Hinokishin, one must not simply theorize or pontificate on its significance, but rather, one must immerse oneself in the practice of selfless service to truly comprehend its depth.

For Hinokishin is not a mere intellectual exercise, nor a philosophical concept to be grasped through words alone. It is a living, breathing principle that requires action, requires a willingness to extend oneself for the betterment of others. It is in the act of helping, of giving of oneself, that one begins to uncover the true essence of Hinokishin. It is through the sweat of one's brow, the ache of one's muscles, the warmth of one's heart as it reaches out to another, that one starts to grasp the beauty and significance of this principle.

And so, as I contemplate the meaning of Hinokishin, I am reminded of the words of the Bard himself, who once said, "The quality of mercy is not strained, it droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath." In this same vein, Hinokishin is a quality that cannot be forced, cannot be contrived. It is a natural outpouring of gratitude and compassion, a recognition of the inherent worth and dignity of all beings. And in seeking to understand this feeling, this principle that guides us in our interactions with others, we must look beyond ourselves, beyond our own individual needs and desires, and embrace the interconnectedness of all living things. For it is in this unity, in this shared humanity, that we will find the true meaning and purpose of Hinokishin.