The December Monthly Service of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters was performed on the 26th in the Main Sanctuary, with Successor-Designate Daisuke Nakayama serving as chief officiant on behalf of the Shinbashira.
In the Service prayer, Rev. Nakayama said that, over this year, which marked the second year of the “three years, one thousand days” period, we reflected upon our resolutions and strove to spread the fragrance of the teachings and help others be saved as we pledged to make vigorous efforts to conduct our activities in unity of mind at the level of the entire Tenrikyo community so as to fulfill our resolutions. Continuing, he said: “As we enter the final year of the pre-anniversary period in January next year, all of us Service performers as well as church head ministers and other Yoboku will reflect upon the progress we have made so far and strive to further promote our activities. We are determined to continue to exert our full measure of sincerity in the cause of single-hearted salvation with our sights set on the Divine Model of Oyasama and thereby make further progress in spiritual growth so as to be able to respond to Her parental love.”
The prayer was followed by the joyous performance of the Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements. After the Service performance, Honbu-in Harunobu Nakayama took the podium to deliver the sermon, in which he elaborated on the teachings of knots and seasons.
Rev. Nakayama said that, whereas a knot is something that is shown to each of us individually, a season is something that is given to everyone equally. He then noted that missing a season may lead to failing to bring forth the fruits of our efforts in ways we had hoped. Rev. Nakayama went on to say that, if we are to bring joy to Oyasama, it is crucial to set a goal as we engage in our duties. Spreading the fragrance of the teachings and helping others be saved with our utmost sincerity as well as returning to Jiba on the day of the upcoming anniversary in a friendly, harmonious way is something that can bring joy and peace of mind to Oyasama more than anything else, he said.
Toward the end of his sermon, Rev. Nakayama encouraged the listeners to make further efforts to fulfill their goals in the new year, which is the final year of the pre-anniversary activity period.
