천리교의 히노끼싱(聖勞) －종교 실천과 사회 공헌－ = Tenrikyo’s Hinokishin (聖勞): Religious Practice and Social Contribution

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study aims to systematically analyze the practical aspects of religious ideology and characteristics of social contribution inherent in Tenrikyo’s Hinokishin (ひのきし ん; 聖勞) activities. The research methodology employed diverse approaches including literature review, online data collection, interviews, and participant observation, focusing on Hinokishin activities at Tenrikyo’s headquarters in Japan and mission centers in Korea and Taiwan. The analysis reveals that Hinokishin exhibits distinctive characteristics across three dimensions. At the doctrinal level, it demonstrates practical theological features that integrate individual spiritual practice with social service, based on the “Creation Story” and the ideology of Kashimono-Karimono (borrowing and lending). At the organizational level, it develops specialized social contribution activities in education, healthcare, social welfare, and disaster relief through a dual system combining vertical hierarchy and horizontal networks. At the practical level, the study confirms a mechanism whereby religious values are transformed into social values through a concentric expansion structure from individual to family to social community, strengthening both internal faith communities and external social service.
This case study of Tenrikyo suggests that religion can serve as an important pathway for performing public functions in contemporary society. Based on these findings, future empirical and critical research on the sustainability and social effectiveness of religious social participation in modern society should be continuously pursued.