Nakayama Miki, often called Oyasama (Revered Mother), stepped onto the world stage in 1798 as a simple village woman in present-day Nara Prefecture. Life wasn’t exactly a bed of roses during those early years—plowing fields, raising a family, weathering personal loss—but everything changed in 1838 when a profound spiritual encounter turned the tide. At about sixty years old, Miki found herself chosen as the living shelter for Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, the divine Parent, marking the birth of Tenrikyo.

Rather than sitting back, she rolled up her sleeves and set about weaving a new tapestry of faith centered on joyous life and the boundless love of a heavenly Parent. Through revelations spanning 21 volumes—known as the Ofudesaki—along with the Mikagura-uta (sacred songs) and the Osashizu (divine directions), she sketched out a roadmap toward salvation: cultivating gratitude, helping others, and dancing one’s heart out in the Service.

Oyasama’s role goes beyond that of a mere founder. Seen as the channel through which God’s parental care flows, she remains the spiritual cornerstone at the Jiba (the “origin point”) in Tenri City. Pilgrims still flock there for the Grand Service, a beautiful ritual of music and dance that binds souls in unity—something that’s gained renewed momentum since global travel opened back up. This past April, for instance, devotees from over twenty countries gathered to celebrate God’s Day together, proving her message truly knows no borders.

Her teachings feel surprisingly fresh in a world starved for connection. The idea of “tuning the mind” before action—brushing off selfish thoughts like so much dust—resonates with mindfulness trends sweeping social media. And her emphasis on altruism, rooted in divine parenthood, offers a counterpoint to today’s often transactional culture.

In Tenrikyo circles, Nakayama Miki isn’t tucked away in a dusty history book. She lives on, guiding millions toward a life that sparkles with gratitude, community, and that indefinable joy of being wrapped in a loving Parent’s arms.