The annual Tenrikyo Hinokishin Day was held on April 29, under the theme: “Let us carry out hinokishin in unity of mind during this season for spiritual growth.” The event took place at approximately 1,180 venues across Japan. Overseas as well, on the same day or on different days, followers around the world engaged in cleaning activities in parks and other places, offering their efforts in gratitude.
This event is the culmination of the daily hinokishin activities, marking a day when all Yoboku and followers put the teachings into practice. It is a day to savor the joy of being kept alive and to strengthen the bonds among fellow followers within the same community. The Mission Department, which takes the lead in promoting the event, has encouraged participation through means such as an online platform for Tenrikyo dioceses and districts to share local activity information, aiming for as many Yoboku and followers as possible to join, so that, in the third year of the pre-anniversary activities leading up to the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama, they could dedicate their true sincerity to performing hinokishin across the country to bring joy to the everliving Oyasama.
Although rain fell in regions such as Hokkaido and Tohoku, the weather was clear and mild from the Kanto region westward on Hinokishin Day. Followers diligently engaged in hinokishin throughout the country.
At the Home of the Parent, resident officials and staff members of Church Headquarters, followers dormitory staff, and Shuyoka students engaged in activities at various locations throughout Tenri City. Under a clear sky, participants gathered in the Inner Courtyard of the Main Sanctuary at 8:30 a.m. They paid respects to God the Parent, Oyasama, and the Mitama-sama. Afterwards, they received words of encouragement from Director-in-Chief of Religious Affairs Yoichiro Miyamori before dividing into 24 groups and heading to their respective hinokishin sites.
Among the participants, 366 Shuyoka students worked at East Left Wings 4 and 5 of the Oyasato-yakata building-complex, Moya 15, and the West Classrooms (where the Besseki lectures were formerly delivered). Meanwhile, 38 international students from Tenrikyo Language Institute (TLI) engaged in hinokishin at Tanbaichi Elementary School and Tenri Kita Municipal Secondary School.
