The Shinbashira, Zenji Nakayama, delivered his New Year’s Address at the New Year’s meeting of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters conducted in Dining Hall 2 on January 4. The meeting was attended by 634 participants, including resident officials of Church Headquarters, head ministers of directly supervised churches, superintendents of dioceses, members of the Assembly, committee members of Tenrikyo associations, and heads of Tenrikyo facilities.
Before the Shinbashira’s address, Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Zensuke Nakata offered New Year’s greetings to him on behalf of the congregation. Rev. Nakata said that, despite the many restrictions imposed on various activities of the path due to the COVID-19 pandemic last year, those who could took the lead in carrying out any activity that was possible, receiving the blessings of God the Parent. “Taking to heart your words and instructions given on this occasion last year, we would like to reflect on our progress so far and recognize our current strengths and limitations. We would also like to deepen our understanding about the truth that lasts for endless generations and discuss how we ought to continue nurturing followers of the path,” Rev. Nakata said.
He went on to say that, even though the situation continues to limit our ability to conduct our activities this year, we are grateful for the tough conditions, which “help us to build our fundamental strength once again so that we may respond to God’s intention by intently working on our tasks.” He then pledged, “First and foremost, those of us who have assembled here will connect our minds to the truth of Jiba as well as the Divine Model of Oyasama and carry out our activities in unity of mind and in an orderly way so that we can bring peace of mind to the Parent.”