The September Monthly Service of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters was performed on the 26th in the Main Sanctuary, with Successor-Designate Daisuke Nakayama serving as chief officiant on behalf of the Shinbashira.
In the Service prayer, Rev. Nakayama first expressed gratitude to God the Parent for becoming openly revealed by settling Oyasama as the Shrine, disclosing the Truth of Origin, teaching us the path of single-hearted salvation, and thereby guiding us with warm parental love toward a world filled with joy. Continuing, he said: “All of us followers will inquire into Your parental heart, which hastens our spiritual growth, through the various occurrences that arise in the world. We are determined to spread the fragrance of the teachings and engage in salvation work while always keeping in our heart Oyasama’s Divine Model as we are committed to taking steady steps forward toward the realization of the Joyous Life World so desired by You.”
The prayer was followed by the joyous performance of the Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements. After the Service performance, Honbu-in Yoshiharu Nakayama took the podium to deliver the sermon.
At the beginning of his sermon, Rev. Nakayama quoted a passage from The Doctrine of Tenrikyo and emphasized how Oyasama’s Divine Model is the Divine Model of the Joyous Life. He noted that Oyasama was always joyous and spirited in any situation as She engaged in the work of the path with a light heart. Rev. Nakayama then spoke about how Oyasama’s attitude, ways of settling the mind, and actions all represent fundamental aspects of the Divine Model of the Joyous Life, which we followers are encouraged to learn about.
Rev. Nakayama then spoke about historical events surrounding the Yamamura Palace incident, which took place in 1874, as a way to show how Oyasama cheerfully went through Her journey together with people around Her even in challenging situations. Based on the descriptions in The Life of Oyasama, Foundress of Tenrikyo, Rev. Nakayama spoke in detail about how Her disciples joyously performed the service during the intense interrogation that they and Oyasama were subjected to after being summoned to the palace.