Tenri High School’s Day Course
Tenri High School’s day course conducted its 67th graduation ceremony in the presence of the Shinbashira on the morning of February 22 in the school’s multipurpose gymnasium, honoring 400 graduates (201 boys and 199 girls).
Principal Shigehiko Iburi presented the diplomas of the graduates to class representatives and delivered an address. He encouraged the graduates by saying, “I hope you will make steady progress toward spiritual maturity with an awareness of being a Yoboku.”
The Shinbashira then took the podium and delivered his address to the graduates, who had entered Tenri High School in the year when the Shinbashira announced Instruction Three and were graduating in the final year of the “three years, one thousand days” period leading up to the 130th Anniversary of Oyasama. He said, “You have spent the majority of your high school years in an atmosphere of pre-anniversary activities.” Stating that an anniversary of Oyasama was a season for spiritual growth, he told them that they should seek to internalize the teachings and make spiritual growth—an effort that entails putting the teachings into practice. He said, “My hope is that you always remember what Oyasama taught us and implement it in good spirits with your youthful energy.”
Later, perfect attendance awards were presented to those who had never been absent during their three years of high school.
Tenri High School’s Evening Course
Tenri High School’s evening course held its 67th graduation ceremony on the evening of February 22 in the school’s multipurpose gymnasium. The ceremony honored 100 graduates (53 boys and 47 girls) in the presence of the Shinbashira.
Principal Shigehiko Iburi presented the diplomas individually to the graduates and gave words of encouragement in his address by saying, “I would like you to follow a path that can bring joy to Oyasama.”
In a congratulatory address, the Shinbashira mentioned that the graduates had received the truth of the Sazuke and become Yoboku in their third year, adding, “The mission of Yoboku is to work as hands and feet of Oyasama, who is working for single-hearted salvation.” He also encouraged the graduates by saying, “My hope is that you will make genuine progress in your personal development and grow into fine Yoboku based on what you have learned and experienced here in this school.”
After the ceremony, the graduates attended their last homeroom class and headed for the Main Sanctuary to perform an appreciation service.
Tenri Kyoko Gakuen High School
On February 23, Tenri Kyoko Gakuen High School conducted its 10th graduation ceremony in the school’s Auditorium 2 in the presence of the Shinbashira. This year 206 students (101 boys and 105 girls) graduated.
Principal Yoshiharu Onishi delivered a congratulatory speech to the graduates, who had become Yoboku in the previous month. He said, “I hope that you will get off to a lively start as new Yoboku in a manner appropriate for the concluding year of the pre-anniversary season.”
The Shinbashira then took the podium to give words of encouragement to the graduates. He first expressed his hope that they would start a new chapter of their lives in a way befitting those who studied in Jiba as high school students. Referring to the teaching “Buds sprout from knots,” he told the graduates that they might bump into obstacles on their journey ahead and experience a sense of frustration. “Yet even if something goes wrong,” he said, “you will see a new avenue open up for you depending only on how you use your mind. The path of the Divine Model of Oyasama provides a perfect example of how this can happen.”
At the end of the ceremony, the graduates and others sang “O-uta 7: The Seeds of Single-Hearted Devotion” all together. Later, the members of the graduating class had their group photographs taken with the Shinbashira and other guests.