On September 1, Tenri Management Association, which consists mainly of managers or businessmen who have faith in Tenrikyo, sponsored its annual general meeting at Akasaka Prince Hotel in Tokyo. More than 100 followers participated in the meeting, which commemorated the association’s fifth anniversary. It was also attended by Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Masahiko Iburi.
Director-in-Chief Iburi, who said he has been interested in the association since its founding, told the participants, “It is our task to treasure and revitalize what our predecessors left for us.” He went on to say, “Within the path as a whole, we must make repeated efforts to create an atmosphere to change and save the world.”
Then, he emphasized the importance of nurturing human resources. He said: “Those who are devoting themselves exclusively to the path need to know what is going on in their communities, which are their places for salvation work. On the other hand, followers who are not devoting themselves exclusively to the path need to inquire into the teachings of Oyasama and put them into practice in their own families and workplaces. We are thinking of establishing an educational support system to guide both types of people.” He finished his address by saying, “I would like the members of Tenri Management Association to get other fellow followers that serve society involved in the association’s activities.”
Following Director-in-Chief Iburi’s address, Takayoshi Hibi, president of a corporation as well as a staff minister of Aimachi Branch Church, delivered a speech based on his faith and business entitled “Debt from a Previous Life.” He said: “Nothing will change in your life unless you change the fate of others. If you save others, you will be saved. You will not receive blessings unless you engage in missionary work.” A three-panelist forum followed the speech.
At the meeting, it was announced that between September 2001 and August 2002 (except December 2001 and April 2002) a seminar is going to be held in the evening of 28th or 29th of each month at Shiozawa Co., Ltd., in Tokyo. On the same day, a publication entitled Business and Religion—Business Management Based on the Teachings of the Joyous Life (available only in Japanese) was published by the association.