Tenri-O-no-Mikoto

Tenrikyo followers vary in their understanding of this creator, from the early understanding of spirit (Kami) through the underlying natural causality (Tsukihi) and eventually to an understanding of a parental relationship between the creator and themselves (Oya). This progression of understanding is a key teaching of Tenrikyo, where it is accepted that everything must proceed "step by step" — by small stages of understanding instead of by great leaps of faith.

"Tenri-O-no-Mikoto" is a "name-label" in much the same way as is used for company names, or brand names for products. Any attempt at a direct translation might mislead the translator. The term has sometimes been translated as "Lord of Divine Wisdom", in order to clarify the concept to Westerners, though it tends to remain untranslated in English texts.

There are many other terms used in the teachings of Tenrikyo that are similar "name-labels"; for example, Kara, Nihon, Izanami, Izanagi, and Omotari.