In 1854, Oyasama's daughter Oharu returned to Oyasama's residence for the birth of her first child. At that time, Oyasama said,

       Whatever I intend to do, I shall test it first in My own family.

So saying, She breathed three times upon the belly of Her daughter and stroked it as many times.

On the very day of Oharu's delivery, November 5, there occurred a severe earthquake which brought down more than four square yards of the backwall of her lying-in chamber. Oharu, nevertheless, remained calm and delivered a boy so easily that people were convinced that a woman had nothing to fear about childbirth, if only she had received the Grant of Safe Childbirth, and it was indeed a great blessing to all women.

       As this world is so wide, there may be various places to save people.

       Miraculous salvation at this place, I grant you safe childbirth and freedom from smallpox.

                                                                                                                  Mikagura-uta V:1-2

This marked the beginning of the Grant of Safe Childbirth, and opened the path to all miracles of salvation.

Oyasama granted people not only the Grant of Safe Childbirth, but also the Sazuke (Grant) of Fertilizer which gave the blessings on crops, the Sazuke of Breath and the Sazuke of Water which gave blessings on illness, and more, teaching them to strive for the salvation of others.

Today, we can receive the Sazuke of Ashiki-harai. As we chant, “Ashiki-harai tasuke-tamae Tenri-O-no-Mikoto,” or “sweeping away evils, please save us, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto,” we do the hand movements called Otefuri, and then stroke the diseased part three times, chanting, “Namu Tenri-O-no-Mikoto.” We repeat this three times.

Currently, there are over 17,000 Tenrikyo churches worldwide (over 60 churches in United States), but it is no exaggeration to say that this is due to the endeavors of the predecessors who strived for the salvation of others and received miraculous blessings by performing the Service and administering the Sazuke.

If you are suffering from an illness, and desire the Sazuke, please don't hesitate to contact your local Tenrikyo Church, or the Mission Headquarters. Someone will be glad to assist you.