The annual Tenrikyo Hinokishin Day was held on April 29 at a large number of locations throughout Japan and mostly on weekends before or after that day at scores of locations in overseas countries. The event is the culmination of daily hinokishin activities carried out by Yoboku and followers of the path and, this year, had as its slogan “Let us carry out hinokishin in unity of mind during this season for spiritual growth—Let us keep today’s high spirits to conduct a variety of hinokishin in our daily lives.”
This year’s Tenrikyo Hinokishin Day was the first event to involve the entire Tenrikyo community since the beginning of the “three years, one thousand days” season leading up to the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama.
At each venue, a message from Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Zensuke Nakata was read out by a representative. In his message, Rev. Nakata said: “Hinokishin is an expression of our gratitude for the complete providence of God the Parent. It is a practice of faith that we should bear in mind and carry out every day. . . . Also, working up a good sweat to engage in hinokishin together not only makes ourselves spirited but also serves to spread the fragrance of the path in local communities.” He went on to say: “Let us use today’s high spirits as a springboard for making hinokishin an integral part of our daily lives during the current season for spiritual growth. Our daily practice of hinokishin will help spread the Joyous Life in wider and wider circles starting in our families and workplaces.” The participants then spiritedly engaged in hinokishin in public places, churches, or areas around followers’ houses.
The weather was unstable throughout Japan on that day, with heavy rain falling in some parts of the country. Although some districts canceled their organized activities because of the rain, many families and individuals went ahead and carried out hinokishin to express their gratitude for the blessings of God.