On July 12, Tenrikyo Brazil Young Men’s Association held a convention commemorating its 50th anniversary at Tenrikyo Mission Headquarters in Brazil. The convention, honored by the presence of the Shinbashira, who is also the president of Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association, was attended by more than 2,400 people.
On the day before the convention, the association members and other followers who live in Belem, a city located in the Amazon Delta, as well as Recife, a city on the east coast, arrived at the mission headquarters, making bus journeys that required more than 50 hours. The chairmen and other leading members of the America, Hawaii, and Colombia Young Men’s Associations also came to the mission headquarters on the same day to participate in the convention. A group of people from Sao Paulo, riding in 50 buses, arrived at the mission headquarters on the morning of the 12th.
On the 12th, at 10:00 A.M., the Shinbashira attended the opening ceremony for the sports center of the mission headquarters, which measures 3,200 square meters and consists of three swimming pools as well as a multi-purpose court that will be used for basketball, volleyball, and futsal. At 12:45 P.M., the participants in the convention joined together in performing the service dance in front of the worship hall at the mission headquarters. The convention commenced at 2:00 P.M. inside the worship hall. The Shinbashira delivered an address and referred to the mission entrusted to Arakitoryo, pioneers of the path. He said: “The Anniversary of Oyasama represents a milestone for our spiritual growth. During this season to nurture ourselves, we must give full expression to our potential as Arakitoryo and strive to spread the teachings and inquire into them, and by doing so, God the Parent and Oyasama will provide workings to help us realize the Joyous Life World.”
Following the Shinbashira’s address, Bishop Yuji Murata took the podium to deliver his congratulatory address. Then, Paulo Ishizaki, chairman of the Brazil Young Men’s Association, delivered an address and made a resolution on behalf of all the members. He also shook hands with a member representative, who made a pledge on behalf of all the new members who just entered the association. To bring the convention to a close, all the participants joined together in singing the “Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association Anthem” and the “Oyasama 120th Anniversary Song.” Following the convention, at 4:00 P.M., the final game of a soccer tournament was played at Recanto Tenri, an outdoor activity center owned by the mission headquarters. The Shinbashira started the game by kicking the first ball. A reception was held after the evening service.
Prior to the day of the convention, the Shinbashira visited churches around Sao Paulo and attended events sponsored by the mission headquarters. The Shinbashira arrived in Brazil on July 7, and the next day he visited Seiki Brasil Church in the morning and Diadema Church in the afternoon. On the 9th, he visited Nippaku Church, and after that he visited Sao Paulo Tenri Center to attend the welcome party arranged by the Brazil Boys and Girls Association. He spoke to more than 300 children in a plain and simple manner, explaining God the Parent’s daily blessings and also the use of mind that accords with the intention of the Parent. He also visited Tsu Hakuryu Church and Taimo Church on the 10th. On the 11th, he visited a missionary house in Botucatu, which was established by the Brazil Young Men’s Association in February to promote missionary activities during the years leading up to the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama.
On July 13, the Shinbashira delivered a sermon on the occasion of the July monthly service of the mission headquarters. He left Brazil for Jiba on the 14th.