Tenrikyo Women’s Association hosted a seminar for the chairwomen of directly supervised chapters and diocese chapters at Moya 38 on January 27 and 28, 2025.
The association announced that it will maintain the existing slogan for spiritual maturity as in previous years: “Let’s follow the Divine Model and become the foundation for the Joyous Life.” The association also continues to uphold the same activity guidelines, which are: “As we move toward the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama, let’s be thorough in ensuring that we nurture ourselves and others sincerely,” “Let’s convey and spread the original intention of God the Parent,” and “Let all of us—young and old alike—savor the joy of salvation work.”
In her speech at the seminar, President Harue Nakayama mentioned that only one year remains for the pre-anniversary activities leading up to the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama. She then referred to Instruction Four, which states that all of us followers should regard Oyasama’s anniversary as a crucial opportunity to grow spiritually and to take firm steps forward with Her Divine Model as our guide to become people who can bring joy to God the Parent and Oyasama. President Nakayama emphasized the importance of considering how we can achieve that goal and of thoroughly carrying out our duties as Yoboku while striving for spiritual maturity and working toward the realization of the Joyous Life World.
President Nakayama continued by pointing out the importance of conveying the origin and the significance of Oyasama’s anniversaries so that all Yoboku can participate in the pre-anniversary activities. She stressed that making such efforts is what is most needed of us now, by saying, “The more Yoboku we engage in nurturing, the more people we can invite to our activities, thereby gaining further momentum for the pre-anniversary activities. . . . Focusing more on increasing the number of such fellow Yoboku is particularly expected of women.”
She went on to say that it is never too late to start such efforts. “An anniversary of Oyasama is not the end goal. Rather, we must aim to continue striving toward the realization of the Joyous Life World, with each of us being aware of our role as a Yoboku in spreading the teachings of the path and acting on our awareness,” she said.
President Nakayama concluded her address by calling on the audience to keep in mind the precious truth of Jiba and spend this year in high spirits so that we can invite as many people as possible to return to Jiba. She said, “First and foremost, let us strive to make progress in spiritual growth and continue that effort so as to become individuals who can bring joy and peace of mind to Oyasama.”
An announcement was made that the 107th Women’s Association Convention is set to take place on April 19 in the Inner Courtyard of Church Headquarters. Following the convention, a service will be performed, and each directly supervised chapter will organize its own gathering for its members to commemorate the event. Furthermore, the period from March 1 to 30 will be designated as “Besseki Month.”