"Order" means the way that things or events line up in accord with

(1) a particular factor, such as size, amount, or degree,

(2) a particular process,

(3) a particular procedure or arrangement.

Tenrikyo imparts a variety of meanings to the word "order." This term occurs with different meanings in the Osashizu, The Divine Directions. We read, for instance:

[Y]ou may come to wonder how long this path is. . . . The growth of crops and the beginning of this world are the same. Human beings were created where they did not exist. In the beginning, they could not speak. When a year passes, you will know one thing. When you understand one thing, you will understand all things one by one, by following the path of order and circumstances. It is the same as the way man came to be able to speak. You will understand all things one by one, by following this path.

Osashizu, August 23, 1887

Other Osashizu passages also instruct us to follow the order of the path, saying in effect: "You may want to complete two or three buildings at a time. Yet, you should advance the construction of one building at a time. After you complete one construction project, you should move on to another one. You should work in due order." "To start with something small is the order of following the path." "However slow its progress may appear, anything can be accomplished if you completely lean on God and firmly settle your mind to commit yourself to the work--such is the path of order." (cf. Osashizu, January 24, 1889; September 13, 1895; April 20, 1900; etc.)

Another usage of the term under discussion refers to the order of development in which things come to be--which may be indicated by such phrases as: "Because of the original source, things can grow" and "Because of the root, the branches and leaves can sprout." With regard to the order of development, a Divine Direction cautions us in effect: "Why can you not understand that God laid the foundation of the path? It will not do to forget Oyasama's path of difficulties and hardships. If you are unaware of the foundation of the path and are swayed by the things in front of your eyes, there is no knowing when and how you will come to a dead end. It will not do to forget the great favor in the world and get caught up in small favors. You should awaken to the order and replace your mind. Your daily life will change to prosperity if you uphold the order of the path." (See Osashizu, February 4, 1901.)

The "order" can also be used in the sense of order of importance to indicate that some things are more fundamental and essential than others. A Divine Direction teaches us the significance of prioritizing things in accord with the truth of order by distinguishing what are the irreplaceable and fundamental matters. Says a Divine Direction:

The more the path grows, the more things arise in the path that need be corrected. Because they need be corrected, I began to teach you the order.

Osashizu, December 4, 1900

Another Divine Direction tells us that we should settle in the mind the providence of "a thing lent, a thing borrowed," spiritually awaken to the path according to the fundamental order, and settle our mind with tanno, joyous acceptance. In the Divine Direction delivered on March 25, 1887, we read:

The human body is a thing lent by God. You must listen and understand well in the due order of the path.