Tenrikyo Women’s Association hosted a seminar for the chairwomen of directly supervised chapters and diocese chapters at Hinokishin Dormitory on January 27, 2026.
This year, the Association continues to uphold the same slogan for spiritual maturity as in previous years: “Let’s follow the Divine Model and become the foundation for the Joyous Life.” Its activity guidelines are: “Let’s learn the importance of the Service and perform the service with sincerity,” and “Let’s implement the teachings each day and increase the number of those who perform the service.”
In her address at the seminar, President Harue Nakayama touched upon the Shinbashira’s sermon at the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama, in which he stressed that we must continue to walk the path by building upon the efforts we had made over the past three years. In the “three years, one thousand days” period, the Women’s Association had focused its efforts on promoting the spiritual growth of each member while setting our sights on the Divine Model, the President said, reflecting on the journey.
Then, she moved on to talk about the activity guidelines that were newly announced this year.
She stated that the Kagura Service is the Service for universal salvation, which is performed to pray for the reconstruction of the world into that of the Joyous Life. She then explained that our major task is to perform the service wholeheartedly, trusting that the day of reconstruction is sure to come, and to make efforts to increase the number of people who perform it in the same spirit.
Further, she said that those of us who convey the significance of the service to other Yoboku and followers would do well to settle it in our minds and learn it so that we can confidently teach it to help them understand how important it is to perform the service.
Next, she pointed out that to receive the “marvelous salvation” described in the Ofudesaki—such as freedom from illness, death, and weakening, as well as a lifespan of one hundred and fifteen years—there is no other way than making repeated efforts to sweep away the dust of the mind while working toward the Joyous Life World. If Yoboku and other followers take this to heart, exert their utmost efforts to spread the teachings widely, and sincerely perform the service, God the Parent will surely grant the blessings to settle our various conflicts, she said.
President Nakayama closed her address by saying, “As we take new steps forward, building upon the efforts we have made during the ‘three years, one thousand days,’ let us first live each day in a way that brings joy to God the Parent and Oyasama and then do our utmost to help increase, one by one, those who will join us while striving for spiritual maturity.”
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The association will hold the annual Women’s Association Convention on April 19, with the Inner Courtyard of Church Headquarters serving as the main venue. To commemorate the occasion, “Chapter Gatherings” will be organized following the ceremony. Additionally, at 5 p.m. on April 18—the day before the convention—special lectures on the theme of “Oyasama” will be given at four venues.
The 31st Young Women’s Convention is scheduled to take place on November 1 in the Inner Courtyard of Church Headquarters.