On July 2, Action Day for the Heart-Clean Campaign was observed at 506 venues throughout Japan under the slogan “Let’s come together in thankfulness for the blessings and engage in hinokishin with fellow members,” and the Shinbashira, who serves as the president of Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association, paid a visit to three venues in Tochigi diocese. As a core activity of the Young Men’s Association organized at a local diocese level, this campaign centers around clean-up hinokishin conducted in each district on the first Sunday of every month. The purpose of this activity is to let participants share the joy of being kept alive through performing hinokishin, which may also serve to reflect that joy to others around them. This year, which marks the 20th anniversary of the campaign, the Young Men’s Association aims to double the number of participants in the campaign.
Shortly after 9:15 A.M., the Shinbashira arrived at the first venue, Mihara Park, where Nasukita district was conducting its Action Day activities drawing some 150 people. He walked around the venue and exchanged friendly words with participants who were cleaning and pulling weeds.
Around 11:00 A.M., the Shinbashira moved to Yamabiko-so–a rehabilitation facility for persons with intellectual disabilities–where 190 participants from Kamitsuga-minami district were engaging in clean-up hinokishin. He personally thanked participants for their efforts while inspecting the venue.
Lastly, he visited the venue of Utsunomiya district, which was conducting the Action Day activities at Utsunomiya Hospital assembling 210 participants. Commenting on the Shinbashira’s visit, one of the participants said: “I was so happy when he personally spoke to me during hinokishin. Although I can’t participate in the activities so often because of my job, I was able to recognize the significance of these activities.”