The February 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 first expressed gratitude to God the Parent for caringly guiding us along the path of spiritual growth by providing step-by-step instructions at the appropriate times and seasons. Continuing, he said: “Having observed the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama together with large numbers of followers, all of us Service performers as well as church head ministers and other Yoboku have now embarked on a new journey toward our next milestone. With our sights set on the Divine Model of Oyasama, we will engage in our duties in our respective roles and positions with a fresh mind by building upon the efforts we made during the three-year pre-anniversary activity period. We will strive to spread the fragrance of the teachings and help save others with our utmost sincerity as we strive to make further progress in our spiritual growth.”
The prayer was followed by the joyous performance of the Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements. After the Service performance, Honbu-in Zensuke Nakata took the podium to deliver the sermon.
Rev. Nakata first touched upon the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama, which was observed on January 26. He reflected, saying that we had earnestly followed the path each day while pondering over the parental love and the Divine Model of Oyasama more deeply than usual with Instruction Four in mind. “I would like us to look back on the efforts we made during the pre-anniversary activity period as we seek to take a firm step forward in our next journey,” he said.
Rev. Nakata moved on to speak about the Shinbashira’s calligraphy piece, which was given to all churches as a commemorative gift for the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama. Referring to the calligraphy’s message that reads, “Carrying out salvation work single-heartedly, performing the service whole-heartedly,” he noted how the Shinbashira explained the message as something that churches should never neglect. Rev. Nakata then said that it is important for churches to keep in mind the goals of their activities as well as the purpose of the service, adding that the fifty-year Divine Model of Oyasama constitutes the path toward the completion of the Service. He went on to say that this completion should not be understood only in a material sense; even if we fall short in fulfilling the formal arrangements, we should strive to perform the Service in complete accordance with the parental heart of Oyasama, who repeatedly urged its performance.
Rev. Nakata noted that Oyasama also personally provided us with the Scriptures, besides teaching the Service and demonstrating the Divine Model. In addition, our predecessors set an example for us to emulate. They earnestly followed the path with the firm conviction that Oyasama would work for them by virtue of Her eternal life. “If we follow the path in a similar way with firm resolve, the path will surely open for us,” he said.
Toward the end of his sermon, Rev. Nakata noted that we ought to have faith in the path toward the Joyous Life, follow the Divine Model of the everliving Oyasama, and engage in our duties as Yoboku so as to lead the way for the rest of the world. He concluded his sermon by saying: “Let us take a new step forward toward our next milestone by carrying out salvation work single-heartedly and performing the service whole-heartedly with pride and confidence. Let us continue to engage in our duties in high spirits.”