November Monthly Service Performed Joyously

The November Monthly Service was solemnly conducted in the Main Sanctuary of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters on the 26th with the Shinbashira presiding. The weather in the Home of the Parent was fine that day, and the temperature in the morning reached as high as 60.6ºF (15.9ºC), which was warmer than the average for the date. At 9:00 A.M., the Shinbashira and the other Service performers left the Church Headquarters Staff Quarters to pay respects at the Foundress’ Sanctuary and the Memorial Hall before proceeding to the Main Sanctuary. The Shinbashira said in his Service prayer: “Although we live in an age in which everything is constantly changing from moment to moment, the truth of heaven that You taught us remains unchanged for all eternity. All of us Yoboku, including the church head ministers, are resolved to devote ourselves to our task as Yoboku, for we are fully aware that now is the time to impart the teachings to the entire world, free ourselves from confusion arising from human thinking, and set our sights on the Joyous Life that brings happiness to humankind for endless generations.” He also said: “We ask You to use us in the construction of the world. We also pray for Your guidance so that the salvation work performed by the entire Tenrikyo community will bear great fruit in this seasonable time. Together with all present, I pray that these blessings be bestowed.” The prayer was followed by the joyous performance of the Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements. The followers joined together in singing the Songs for the Service, and their singing resonated throughout the precincts of Church Headquarters. Following the Service, Honbu-in Seishi Kajimoto took the lectern to deliver his sermon. He began by saying, “Time is pressing as we have only two months remaining before the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama.” He also reaffirmed that the significance of an anniversary of Oyasama is “to respond to the intention of the everliving Oyasama by bringing forth the fruit of our spiritual growth.” Referring to the Divine Model of Oyasama, he said, “The Service, which Oyasama hastened us to perform, even by shortening Her term of life by 25 years, is the final point to Her Divine Model.” He went on to say, “As the proof that Oyasama is everliving and continues to provide Her workings, the truth of the Sazuke, the Divine Grant, is bestowed upon us.” He also explained: “We must ponder deeply over Her parental love, which is embodied in the truth of the Service and the truth of the Sazuke, and carry out our task as Yoboku by dedicating ourselves to single-hearted salvation.” With regard to church activities, he said: “It is important to gather people at our churches and practice the proper hand movements for the service so that we may perform the service in a manner that will meet the intention of Oyasama, who taught it to us. Therefore, it is of urgent necessity to sprinkle the fragrance of the teachings and promote salvation work to inspire others.” He also highlighted the importance of “cultivating the mind of saving others” and “implementing salvation work,” which were points the Shinbashira emphasized in Instruction Two. “All of us Yoboku,” he said, “should sow seeds for the Joyous Life by engaging in missionary work as well as salvation work day after day so that we may enable our communities to be filled with joy.” “It is very important,” he continued, “to endeavor to bring as many people as possible to Jiba in the year of the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama.” Encouraging the followers to sprinkle the fragrance of the teachings on their family members, relatives, friends, and colleagues, he said, “Our work is to do anything and everything we can.” He closed his remarks by saying, “Let us live each day in a manner based on the spirit of Instruction Two until the day of the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama so that we may show Oyasama our spiritual growth befitting this season and thereby bring joy to Her.”