On November 27, the 30th Tenrikyo Young Women’s Convention, organized by Tenrikyo Women’s Association Headquarters, was held in the Inner Courtyard of Church Headquarters and was attended by about 9,500 participants from Japan and overseas.
This event was designed to provide an opportunity for the “young foundation of the path,” or young women between the ages of 16 and 25, to gather together in the Home of the Parent and show God the Parent and Oyasama the accomplishments they had made through their daily activities. The theme of this year’s convention was “Let us learn the teachings and use our days to bring joy to Oyasama—Let us connect our hearts in gratitude to Jiba.”
To attend this event, many groups of young women returned to Jiba from directly supervised chapters and dioceses one after another. On the previous day and the day of the convention, young women devoted themselves to hinokishin in various parts of the Home of the Parent. Also, on the morning of the 27th, there were long lines of young women waiting to attend the Besseki lectures at the Besseki Lecture Hall.
At 10:00 a.m. on the 27th, Women’s Association President Harue Nakayama escorted Successor-Designate Daisuke Nakayama and other guests into the Inner Courtyard. Following opening remarks, President Nakayama took the podium to deliver her address.
President Nakayama touched upon Instruction Four—which was announced in anticipation of the “three years, one thousand days” activities leading up to the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama—and talked about the significance of observing an anniversary of Oyasama.
In addition, she pointed out to her listeners that it is important to settle their minds to make an effort to implement and spread the teachings of God the Parent so that all people throughout the world can live the Joyous Life. She also spoke about the importance of visiting churches, connecting the mind to God the Parent and Oyasama, and enthusiastically participating in young women’s activities while aiming to become an attractive person who can make the truth of the teachings self-apparent to others. She said that these efforts would serve as the anniversary-related activities for young women.
Lastly, President Nakayama closed her address by calling on the audience to discuss with their family members and friends what it means for them to follow the Divine Model, ponder over what exactly they can do in this regard, and translate it into action.
Next, Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Zensuke Nakata read the Shinbashira’s message aloud.
In his message, the Shinbashira referred to the Divine Model of Oyasama and emphasized that what is essential is to have an attitude to learn from the Divine Model. “I hope that you will form a foundation for a lifestyle based on the teachings while accumulating various experiences so that you will become a strong foundation of the path in the future, who can remain unfazed by any obstacles,” the Shinbashira’s message said.
Furthermore, his message stated that if we live our daily lives while always leaning on Oyasama and seeking the teachings, we can cultivate the mind to be joyful at all times without us even being aware of it. “Such daily practices will allow you to accumulate virtue for the future,” said the message.
Finally, the Shinbashira’s message emphasized that it is necessary to spend the period of “three years, one thousand days” leading up to the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama with a stronger awareness of the Divine Model than usual. The message urged the audience to implement the teachings in the season by saying, “My hope is that you will make further efforts to polish your mind by following the path in a way that brings peace of mind to God the Parent and Oyasama.”
After that, three young members made faith experience speeches to share the progress they had achieved while preparing for the convention. Then, a choir sang “Suteki na Anata ni (For wonderful you),” and a pledge was given by a young woman on behalf of all young association members. After the proceedings in the Inner Courtyard, the participants put away the chairs that had been used there.
The Women’s Association Headquarters is encouraging association chapters to have an opportunity for their members to reflect together on the Shinbashira’s message and the President’s address.