On February 27, Tenrikyo Women’s Association held a seminar for the chairwomen of directly supervised chapters and diocese chapters at Moya 38 with an attendance of 244 people. At the seminar, its new activity guidelines and plans for 2016 were announced. Association President Harue Nakayama addressed the audience, highlighting the important points to keep in mind when conducting association activities and the way that the association members should be living each day.
The association will continue to promote its slogan for spiritual maturity, “Let’s follow the Divine Model and become the foundation for the Joyous Life.” The new activity guidelines to be used along with the slogan are as follows:
Let’s grow spiritually into true Yoboku with our sights set on making repayment for the blessings we receive.
1. Let’s study the teachings and make them our own.
2. Let’s nurture those close to us into true Yoboku.
3. Let’s sprinkle the fragrance and help save others, aiming for a million members.
In her address, President Harue Nakayama referred to the Shinbashira’s sermon at the Oyasama 130th Anniversary Service. Reflecting on what had happened at the Residence during the 49-day period before Oyasama withdrew from physical life on the lunar calendar date of January 26, 1887, she said, “We must regard God’s instructions given to the predecessors at that time as having been given to us as well.”
She mentioned that the path has come to be what it is today thanks to our predecessors, who overcame various difficult situations in the spirit of single-heartedness with God. She emphasized, “We ought to settle in our heart the spirit of single-heartedness with God.” She went on to say that when we find our human thoughts in conflict with the spirit of single-heartedness with God in the course of our daily life, we must make every effort to maintain the spirit of single-heartedness with God.
Moreover, referring to the Shinbashira’s emphasis on the importance of nurturing people who will shoulder the future of the path, President Nakayama explained that association members should strive to grow spiritually to become true Yoboku themselves and work patiently with those close to them by exerting layer upon layer of sincerity in nurturing them. She then said, “When nurturing others, too, we must maintain the spirit of single-heartedness with God.”
She concluded her address by requesting the audience to keep in their hearts the spirit of single-heartedness with God in the course of their daily life.
After this, concrete activity plans were announced and explained, and lectures were delivered, followed by discussion sessions.
This year again, the Women’s Association will hold its annual convention in the Inner Courtyard of Church Headquarters on April 19. To commemorate that occasion, gatherings of directly supervised chapters will be held at respective followers dormitories following the convention.
Between August and December, the Young Women’s Convention will be held regionally. Prior to these gatherings, seminars for young women leaders will be organized in May and June. Other activities include regular events such as the Lecture for Mothers and various seminars.