Let Us Renew Our Commitment and Follow the Path of the Divine Model
During the “three years, one thousand days” period leading up to the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama, the “Action Day for All Yoboku” is designed for followers residing in the same region to encourage and inspire one another to boost the momentum of activities at the levels of churches and individuals. The event’s fourth session was held on May 31 and June 1 at a total of 742 venues, including overseas locations.
This event, scheduled to take place five times during the “three years, one thousand days” period, is conducted under the management of the dioceses and districts. The first session took place on October 29, 2023; the second on the 1st and 2nd of June 2024; and the third on the 3rd and 4th of November 2024. The program includes the service performance, the reading of Instruction Four, a video message from Church Headquarters, and unique programs set up for each venue.
Inviting Friends and Family to Jiba
On May 31, when it rained in eastern Japan, followers at each venue performed the service and then all together read aloud Instruction Four. Afterward, they watched a video message from Church Headquarters.
In the video message, Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Zensuke Nakata said that the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama will be held on January 26, 2026. Reflecting on the path of the Divine Model of Oyasama, he said, “The Divine Model is the one and only example that leads us toward the Joyous Life World.”
He further emphasized that the significance of the pre-anniversary activities is to reaffirm our role as Yoboku and to respond to the parental heart of Oyasama—who has been guiding us—by making progress in our spiritual growth through this three-year period we set aside. He said, “With our sights set on the path of the Divine Model Oyasama demonstrated, we need to implement what we can day by day during the ‘three years, one thousand days’ period.”
Then, taking into account that there remains a little more than six months of the three-year period, and that a person’s future can change even within six months, he said: “Let us look around, administer the Sazuke to the ill, reach out to those in need, share the joy of faith with them, and connect them to Jiba and the church. This will enable them to embrace the joy and gratitude that come from being sustained by God the Parent’s complete providence, and through such efforts, we can help save their minds.”
He also pointed out the importance of Yoboku connected to the church encouraging and supporting one another and working together in unity of mind to advance the pre-anniversary activities. He urged the listeners to reaffirm the goals for spiritual maturity set by their churches and express their gratitude to God the Parent through their personal actions.
He mentioned the importance of returning to Jiba as something he particularly hoped followers would accomplish this year. He asked the listeners to not only return to Jiba themselves but also proactively invite those in their immediate circle to join their pilgrimages. In addition, Rev. Nakata expressed his hope that we would make continuous efforts to carry out the pre-anniversary activities together for the remaining period by returning to Jiba to pray for the salvation of others so that they might receive the blessings of salvation through the guidance of the everliving Oyasama.
Rev. Nakata concluded his remarks by calling upon the listeners to renew their resolve to walk the path of the Divine Model for single-hearted salvation and said, “On the day of the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama next year, let us show Oyasama our progress in spiritual growth and bring Her peace of mind and joy.”
Afterward, each venue conducted its distinctive program—such as lectures, faith experience speeches, spreading the name of God, engaging in door-to-door missionary work, and hinokishin activities. Through these programs, followers across regions reaffirmed their commitment to accelerate their actions more vigorously.
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Many in the Tenrikyo community are repeatedly participating in the “Action Day for All Yoboku” during the “three years, one thousand days” period, encouraging and inspiring one another to accelerate their pre-anniversary activities. The following focuses on several such followers.
Making Monthly Pilgrimages to Jiba
On June 1, the Koto District of Tokyo Diocese organized the action day at Tokiwa Branch Church. Sixty-four followers participated in the event and engaged in missionary work by spreading the name of God and distributing pamphlets in a bustling residential area.
Yoshie Sasaki, a 79-year-old lay minister of Aikawa Branch Church in Tokyo, held a booklet detailing the missionary activities of the day as she engaged in missionary work with fellow followers. Last year, prompted by family issues during the second year of the “three years, one thousand days” period, she resolved to return to Jiba every month. The issues were settled after six months, but she continues returning to Jiba to express gratitude.
Ms. Sasaki said with a smile: “I felt strongly that God the Parent and Oyasama are all-seeing and all-knowing. With gratitude for the blessings in my heart, I was able to engage in missionary work with other followers joyously and in high spirits today. I will continue working hard at spreading the fragrance of the teachings for the remaining period and hope to invite as many people as possible to return to Jiba for the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama.”
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At Kochi Grand Church—the venue of the event organized by the Kochi District of Kochi Diocese—160 followers gathered. They engaged in a unique program called the “Oyasama’s Divine Model Walk Rally,” which was designed for the participants to familiarize themselves with the Divine Model of Oyasama by visiting multiple points set up on the large premises of the church.
One participant, Maki Kataoka, a 54-year-old follower of Akataka Branch Church, is a first-generation follower. Her late mother-in-law, who established the mission station, valued returning to Jiba, despite being busy with church activities, and often encouraged her to make a pilgrimage to Jiba. Carrying on that faith, Ms. Kataoka returns monthly to Jiba during the “three years, one thousand days” season together with her husband Yuji, a 59-year-old follower serving as head of their mission station.
Ms. Kataoka also decided to participate in the “Tachibana-kai Pilgrimage to Jiba” on June 29, jointly held by grand churches that separated from Kochi Grand Church and were elevated to the status of a grand church. Currently, she is trying to invite as many people as possible to join her in returning to Jiba and is diligently encouraging followers connected to their mission station to return together. She said, “Toward the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama, we first want to reflect the joy of faith to those around us, including children.”
Desiring to Share the Joy of Receiving the Blessings
On May 31, some 100 followers gathered at Hirano Branch Church in the Hirano District of Osaka Diocese and performed weeding hinokishin at Hirano Park amid occasional light rain.
Hitomi Ueno, a 69-year-old Yoboku of Kofuku Branch Church in Osaka, dedicated herself to weeding together with her sister. Ms. Ueno attended Shuyoka for the second time three years ago after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Though she thereafter faced another major illness, she received the blessing of having a large misfortune reduced to a small misfortune thanks to her relatives and friends who administered the Sazuke to her every day.
Ms. Ueno said, “I never miss visiting the grand church and the Main Sanctuary once a month.” In addition to distributing pamphlets once a week, she performs cleaning hinokishin, such as weeding in a park near her home. She went on to say: “As part of the pre-anniversary activities, I engage in missionary work and hinokishin in a way I can. I want to share the joy I felt when I was saved from illness with as many people as possible.”
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On June 1, the Kosai District of Shiga Diocese held the event at Kurita Branch Church, where 252 participants practiced the service performance, dividing into various groups, including the service dance, the flute, and the women’s musical instruments.
Kazuyoshi Kuhara, a 73-year-old Yoboku of Hifuku Branch Church in Moriyama City, practiced the Dance with Hand Movements. Nine years ago, he was diagnosed with stage four malignant lymphoma. During an eight-month hospital stay, family members took turns administering the Sazuke daily. After that, as he continued to perform the morning and evening services each day, his condition gradually improved, and he is currently healthy.
Mr. Kuhara said: “I feel that the illness was Oyasama’s way of showing Her care. I want to do my utmost with my family so that, on the day of the anniversary, I can show Her that I have made progress in spiritual growth, however small.”
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Here are the faith experience speeches delivered by two followers as part of their venue-specific programs.
“With Pride as a Yoboku”
(Yudai Kontani, a 24-year-old lay minister of Shikiho Branch Church in Okayama City)
After finishing my stay at Okayama Missionary House, I have been doing missionary work in Okayama City for two years.
During my one-year stay at the dormitory, I met a man in his sixties, Mr. A, who had various personal problems including illness. He received the miraculous blessings of salvation through the administration of the Sazuke and attended the entire course of nine Besseki lectures by the time I completed my stay at the missionary house.
Some time after starting missionary work on my own, I had to leave the missionary base for about a week for the work of the path. Upon returning to Okayama, I visited Mr. A after a long time only to find that he had passed away for rebirth. Overcome with surprise and remorse, I could not stop my tears. Various thoughts raced through my mind, and I became anxious about whether or not I could continue missionary work. However, thanks to the encouragement from my parents, mentors of the missionary house, and my fellow missionaries, I was gradually able to look forward. From this experience, I reaffirmed my pride in living as a missionary who works to help others in all circumstances. Even now, sometimes I neglect to visit those in need. At such times, I recall Mr. A to rouse my spirit.
Only Yoboku can administer the Sazuke to those who are suffering. Taking pride in receiving this truth, I will continue to pray for the salvation of as many people as possible.
“Carrying on the Faith of My Late Father”
(Yoshiko Mori, a 28-year-old Yoboku of Umekaneko Branch Church in Kanazawa City)
After graduating from high school, I have been serving as a live-in trainee at my church. In the spring of my second year of high school, I had severe abdominal pain that persisted for a while. I went to the hospital, and the doctor told me that my ovary was swollen and my fallopian tube was twisted. I therefore had to undergo emergency surgery. After the surgery, the head minister of my church suggested I serve at the church.
Three years ago when I was already a live-in trainee, my father passed away. I was overwhelmed with grief and was deeply depressed for many days. Adding to that, I was involved in a car accident one day during that period. Despite the other vehicle being badly damaged, I miraculously only suffered minor scrapes and bruises. When I told the head minister, he helped me gain perspective, which allowed me to realize that my good health as a live-in trainee was a blessing enabled by my father’s accumulated virtue, which had reduced a great misfortune to a small one. Out of gratitude for the blessings of God the Parent, I reaffirmed my commitment to carrying on my father’s faith and working diligently for the path.
Currently, as part of the “three years, one thousand days” activities, I am engaged in door-to-door missionary work. I hope to return to Jiba on the anniversary day with as many first-time attendees of the Besseki lectures as possible so that I can bring joy to God the Parent, Oyasama, and my late father.