This year, three participants from the United States (two from Hawaii and one from the mainland), two from Australia, and one from Kenya attended the Head Minister Qualification Course One held at the Home of the Parent from August 27 to September 14. This course is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the teachings as well as an opportunity to implement the teachings.
The daily schedule began early with the morning service at the Main Sanctuary, followed by breakfast, morning assembly, and classes. The classes, conducted throughout the day at the East Right Wing 4 of the Oyasato-yakata building-complex, were taught by English-speaking instructors mainly from Church Headquarters.
In the morning, lectures were given on such subjects as The Doctrine of Tenrikyo; The Life of Oyasama, Foundress of Tenrikyo; and the Mikagura-uta, The Songs for the Service. In the afternoon, there were practice sessions for the dance and the musical instruments for the service as well as the ritual procedures.
In addition to the above classes, the program included lectures given by guest speakers, who provided their insights into the teachings besides speaking on their own experiences in faith, as well as sermon practice sessions, in which the students practiced conveying the teachings and the origin of their family’s faith as well as giving tours of the Main Sanctuary. The students also had chances to practice hinokishin—selfless and thankful action—by cleaning the Sanctuary Corridor and other places.
Furthermore, the students prepared their roadside speeches for the day of nioigake—sprinkling the fragrance of the teachings—and presented them in the classroom. On the day of nioigake, the students made their roadside speeches in front of Kintetsu Nara Station, passed out leaflets to passers-by, and then walked down the main street spreading the name of God. They also practiced hinokishin by picking up litter on the way from Sarusawa Pond to Tenrikyo Umetani Grand Church, where Nara Prison used to be located. While visiting the former premises of Nara Prison, they learned what was taught by Oyasama through Her hardship of imprisonment.
All the students in the English Class successfully completed Course One and registered as minister (kyoto) . Two of them will go on to attend Course Two of the Head Minister Qualification Course, due to start on September 27 and end on October 19.