On July 26, the July Monthly Service of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters was conducted in the Main Sanctuary, with Successor-Designate Daisuke Nakayama serving as chief officiant.
In the Service prayer, he first expressed his gratitude to God the Parent for guiding us toward the Joyous Life with unchanging providence and boundless parental love. Continuing, he said: “All of us—including church head ministers and other Yoboku—are determined to strive for the path of single-hearted salvation that Oyasama laid for us by pondering deeply over the divine intention at the day of origin when God the Parent created human beings and straightforwardly putting Oyasama’s teachings into practice.”
The prayer was followed by the joyous performance of the Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements. The heat was at its midsummer peak on this day in the Home of the Parent, but even under the intense sunlight, the worshipers joined together in single-heartedly singing the Mikagura-uta, the Songs for the Service.
After the Service performance, Honbu-in Masanao Nakayama took the podium to deliver the sermon.
In his sermon, Rev. Nakayama noted that the mind of Oyasama is that of God the Parent, who desires to save all human beings, God’s children. He went on to say that Oyasama’s heart is filled solely with love for all the children and this parental heart is singly intent on saving them. He continued: “The words ‘solely’ and ‘singly’ represent God’s unwavering determination to save all human beings throughout the world. They also give me a sense of reassurance that God will guide us through our journey no matter how long it may take.”
Furthermore, he emphasized that Oyasama remains everliving now as ever before and continues to nurture us in ways tailored to each of us. He also noted that even challenging situations, such as illness or other troubles, are manifestations of parental love that seeks to guide each of us in the most suitable way at the most suitable moment. “I believe it is important for us to take to heart the parental love of God the Parent and Oyasama and feel a constant sense of gratitude as we embrace and implement what we are taught faithfully, thereby continuing to make steady efforts to grow spiritually,” said Rev. Nakayama.