The March Monthly Service of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters was conducted in the Main Sanctuary on the 26th with the Shinbashira presiding.
A winter pressure system near the Japanese archipelago resulted in an unusually cold day for the season as subzero temperatures and snow struck the Tohoku region. The low temperature for the day at the Home of the Parent was 2° C or 35.6° F. Thick clouds obscured the eastern sky and cold winds occasionally blew in the Sanctuary precincts.
It was exactly two weeks since the earthquake and tsunami. Followers from all over Japan returned for the first Monthly Service at Church Headquarters since that fateful day. The facial expressions of worshipers heading to the Main Sanctuary were grim as the welfare of fellow brothers and sisters—who are facing the prospect of rebuilding after having lost homes and families—was foremost in their thoughts. Some had made the extraordinary effort to return from affected regions. The four worship halls had been filled by 9:00 a.m. and a quiet tension pervaded the air.
At the appointed time, the Shinbashira, accompanied by other Service performers, left the Staff Quarters. The party paid their respects at the Foundress’ Sanctuary and the Memorial Hall en route to the Main Sanctuary.
Worshipers clapped in unison with the Shinbashira for opening prayers. Silence reigned as worshipers remained bowed, their hearts flooded with a multitude of emotions.
In the Service prayer, the Shinbashira stated: “God the Parent, You have taught us, ‘Just as you humans worry about your children, I worry over your dreadful and dangerous path.’ Out of Your concern for us who are still spiritually immature, You occasionally provide us signs in the form of illness or troubles. May I express gratitude for Your deep compassion with which You lead us forward in this way.”
He pledged on behalf of all followers: “We Service performers, head ministers, and other Yoboku will work to convey to those who are suffering in this ever-shifting world the truth that all people in the world are Your children, children of God the Parent, making us all brothers and sisters. Through mutual help, we will demonstrate the way humanity ought to be and move resolutely forward toward bringing into reality a harmonious union of God and humankind.” He then expressed the wish to be provided with further guidance so that the world could move a step closer to the world of the Joyous Life that accords with the parental intention.
The Shinbashira then added the following: “In recent days, we were shown a severe trouble in the form of great earthquakes and tsunamis in the Tohoku and Kanto regions. We have solemnly accepted the Parent’s intention embodied in the recent knot and repeatedly engaged in deep pondering and self-reflection. Focusing our minds ever more sharply on following the teachings thoroughly and basing ourselves on the awareness of universal brotherhood, all of us in the Tenrikyo community intend to concentrate our sincerity on and put our whole hearts into supporting rebuilding efforts.”
He then closed the prayer by expressing the hope that victims will overcome their struggles through God’s warm parental love in addition to receiving the divine providence that allows them to recover and spend their days in peace as soon as possible.
The Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements were then performed joyously amid this solemn setting.
An elderly woman in the North Worship Hall closed her eyes and clasped her hands together in prayer. A mother and her young children sat on one of the benches set up in the Inner Courtyard. Many young worshipers who had returned for the upcoming Student’s Spring Pilgrimage were seen in the Sanctuary precincts. Worshipers of all ages sang the Mikagura-uta with their minds in unison while praying in the direction of the Jiba-Kanrodai.
The Shinbashira Delivers an Address after the Service
Speaking to the Service performers, the head ministers of directly supervised churches, and others after the conclusion of the March Monthly Service, the Shinbashira extended his sympathy to the churches, followers, and others affected by the recent disaster.
He went on to say: “In your various capacities, please put your hearts into helping and supporting the churches, Yoboku, and followers that have been affected so that they may recover and rebuild as soon as possible, although this will obviously take time.”
He mentioned that Church Headquarters has been engaged in relief efforts through the Disaster Relief Headquarters that it established in the immediate aftermath. He added: “A number of regional churches must also be conducting their own support activities, and indeed relief efforts are continuing on various fronts. The Headquarters’ relief efforts aim to respond to the situations on the ground, and it is doing everything possible starting with whatever it can do. The Headquarters is committed to long-term efforts, and I want to ask for your understanding and cooperation in this regard.”
The Sermon
Prior to this, Honbu-in Ikuhiro Masui took the podium to deliver the sermon. He began by saying the March Monthly Service took place amid followers’ ongoing efforts to ponder the divine intention behind this great knot, to pray for those affected by the disaster, and to do anything within their means to help.
He mentioned that it was more than possible that there were many who could not return because of the circumstances and yet was confident that others must have undergone immense adversity to return to Jiba for the Monthly Service.
Then, after quoting the Shinbashira’s earlier Service prayer, he urged those listening to align themselves to the Shinbashira’s wishes and devote their sincerity so that instances of salvation may increase ever further.