In early April, Tenrikyo schools in the Home of the Parent held their respective entrance ceremonies. This year a total of 2,130 students started their new school life full of hope in the Home of the Parent. Tenri University welcomed 830 new students on April 1; Shiraume Dormitory (a dormitory for young women studying to become preschool teachers) 30 on April 2; Tenri Healthcare University 108 on April 3; Tenri Seminary 92 on April 5; Tenri Elementary School 79 on April 6; Tenri Kyoko Gakuen High School 197 on April 6; Tenri High School’s Evening Course 98 on April 6; Tenrikyo Language Institute 63 on April 6; Tenri High School’s Day Course 426 on April 7; Tenri Junior High School 159 on April 8; and Tenri Kindergarten 48 on April 10.
Tenri Seminary
Tenri Seminary held its entrance ceremony on April 5 at the auditorium of East Right Wing 1 of the Oyasato-yakata building-complex. This year, there were a total of 92 new students: Graduate Seminary research program, 1; Graduate Seminary practical training program, 18; and Junior Seminary, 73. The ceremony began with the opening prayers and the singing of the Eight Verses of the Yorozuyo, followed by a congratulatory address by Principal Zenpei Kubo.
In his address, Principal Kubo quoted from the first Shinbashira’s address at the time of the seminary’s establishment in 1900 and referred to the seminary’s motto, “Seeking the path and sowing seeds of sincerity.” He stated that we cannot follow this path by relying only on human wisdom or power, and that we can only follow it by seeking God the Parent and Oyasama. He went on to say: “It is of primary importance for you to lay a firm foundation here so that you can build on it to seek the path further in the future. I want you to sow seeds of sincerity in the Residence, looking forward to them sprouting in the future.”
Following his address, the representatives from each program made their pledges to study the teachings in the spirit of single-heartedness with God and sow seeds of sincerity in Jiba.
Tenri Junior High School
Tenri Junior High School held its entrance ceremony on April 8 in the Northwest Corner of the Oyasato-yakata building-complex.
The school’s own building, which is located to the south of the Main Sanctuary, will undergo reinforcement work this year to improve its earthquake resistance, and the school has temporarily moved to the Northwest Corner of the Oyasato-yakata, where Kyoko Gakuen High School is currently located.
The ceremony was held in Assembly Hall 2. Following the opening prayers and the singing of the Eight Verses of the Yorozuyo, Principal Shima delivered his address. He stated that the school provides its students with an opportunity to learn and practice the teachings of God the Parent and Oyasama through school life. He said: “Please always be sure to make your best efforts in everything. Your proactive attitude to learn will allow your dream to come true. . . . I would like you to help one another and engage in activities with joy and spiritedness, while always keeping in mind that our body is a thing lent by God the Parent.”
Following the congratulatory speeches by the guests, a representative of the new students made the pledge on their behalf. After the ceremony, the new students proceeded to their respective classrooms for their first homeroom period and then made their way to the Main Sanctuary to perform the appreciation service along with their parents.
All classrooms are located on the fifth floor of the Northwest Corner of the Oyasato-yakata building-complex. Some facilities such as the assembly hall and schoolyard will be shared with the Kyoko Gakuen High School.