Tenrikyo approaches suffering, illness, and misfortune through the image of a loving Divine Parent who is steadily guiding humanity toward what it calls the “joyous life.” Human beings are understood to possess an originally pure mind, yet this mind becomes clouded by “dusts” such as greed, anger, arrogance, hatred, self-love, and grudge-bearing. These dusts are not merely moral failings but subtle distortions that obscure the divine intention for happiness and mutual help. Within this view, affliction is not framed as divine punishment; rather, it is interpreted as a compassionate form of guidance meant to draw attention to the state of the mind and heart.

Illness, in particular, is seen as a significant mode of this guidance. The body is regarded as something “lent” by God the Parent, while the mind is uniquely one’s own responsibility. When the mind strays from the path of the joyous life, the body can manifest illness as a sign urging introspection and reorientation. The appropriate response is not resentment but calm acceptance, self-examination, and a renewed effort to align one’s thoughts and actions with the divine intention. In this way, physical suffering becomes a mirror that reflects the inner condition of the mind.

Misfortune more broadly is explained through a principle of causality that connects present circumstances with past thoughts and actions. This causal process is not portrayed as harsh retribution but as a mechanism through which God the Parent gently redirects people toward spiritual growth. Suffering thus functions as a “hint of the Divine,” an invitation to reconsider one’s attitudes and relationships. By recognizing misfortune in this light, adherents are encouraged to transform bitterness into gratitude and to use adversity as a stepping stone toward deeper faith.

Tenrikyo also emphasizes concrete practices as the proper response to suffering. Hinokishin, or joyful, selfless service to others, is regarded as a way of sweeping away the dust of the mind and expressing gratitude for divine protection. Rituals such as the daily service and the Sazuke, a healing prayer performed by authorized followers, seek both physical relief and spiritual renewal, entrusting outcomes to God while inspiring reform of the heart. Through these disciplines, suffering is gradually transmuted into an opportunity for purification, mutual support, and participation in the unfolding realization of the joyous life for all humanity.