Tenrikyo Mission New York Center: Thirty Years in the “Big Apple”

On June 3, Tenrikyo Mission New York Center held a service commemorating the 30th anniversary of its founding. With Bishop Toyoo Tsuji of Tenrikyo Mission Headquarters in America presiding, more than 160 followers and Yoboku from the Tri-State Area and Washington D.C., as well as from as far north as Maine and as far south as Georgia attended the service.

Established in 1977, New York Center is Tenrikyo Mission Headquarters in America’s mission post on the East Coast of the U.S. With the founding of Tenri Cultural Institute in 1991 and NY Tenri Judo Hall in 1997, New York Center became ever more active in sprinkling the fragrance in the great metropolis of New York City through various music, cultural, and sports activities.

After the commemorative service, Bishop Tsuji delivered the sermon. Touching upon the fact that New York Center is embarking on the construction of a new sanctuary to celebrate its 30th anniversary, he spoke on the importance of a spiritual construction that accompanies the material construction as he explained the meaning of each verse of Song Eight from the Mikagura-uta, The Songs for the Service. Bishop Tsuji concluded his sermon by saying, “It is my wholehearted wish that all of you will continue to make efforts to advance your spiritual growth through the construction, help one another in unity of mind to bring about its completion, and become genuine Yoboku of the path.”

Rev. Keigo Morishita, head of New York Center, then gave an address to the congregation, saying: “I would like for us to take the opportunity at today’s commemorative service to express our appreciation to our late predecessors who sowed seeds of sincerity on the East Coast for many years. As we look back on the path that has brought us here today, let us make a collective pledge to redouble our efforts during this seasonable time to receive the blessings that will allow us to advance on the path of world salvation.”

During the post-service reception, the NY Boys and Girls Association Fife and Drum Corps gave a performance along with a dance group and a drumming group.

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