{"id":10035,"date":"2025-08-25T10:11:50","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T01:11:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=10035"},"modified":"2025-08-25T10:16:44","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T01:16:44","slug":"2025-childrens-pilgrimage-to-jiba-159444-return-during-the-eight-day-summer-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=10035","title":{"rendered":"2025 Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba: 159,444 Return during the Eight-Day Summer Festival"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 2025 Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba, sponsored by Church Headquarters, opened on July 27 and concluded on August 3, filling the Home of the Parent with the smiles of children enjoying their summer pilgrimage.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s eight-day event drew a total of 159,444 participants\u2014about 2,500 more than last year\u2019s nine-day pilgrimage\u2014including 461 who returned from 19 overseas countries and regions.<\/p>\n

The young pilgrims learned the teachings and savored the joy of living through various educational and training activities and entertaining attractions in Jiba. Spending time with those they met in Jiba, they not only shared their joy and gratitude for the gift of life but also nurtured a spirit of mutual help as indicated by heart-warming sights seen throughout the Home of the Parent.<\/p>\n

Some children from abroad joined the Boys and Girls Hinokishin Corps, energetically serving ice-cold tea to fellow pilgrims.<\/p>\n

In preparation for the pilgrimage to take place in the final year of the pre-anniversary activities leading up to the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama, the Boys and Girls Association Headquarters had encouraged participation with the slogans \u201cLet\u2019s savor the joy of returning to Jiba with as many children as possible\u201d and \u201cLet\u2019s aim for participation from every church.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the opening Sunday, association members from various regions, led by colorful banners, made their way with light steps toward the Main Sanctuary.<\/p>\n

At 8:30 A.M., the \u201cMorning Service,\u201d one of the educational and training activities, was conducted in the East, West, and North Worship Halls of the Main Sanctuary. After performing the service, the children recited the \u201cthree promises\u201d for the Children\u2019s Pilgrimage and the Boys and Girls Association Pledge before singing the \u201cBoys and Girls Association Song\u201d together.<\/p>\n

At 9:00 A.M., all the other activities began simultaneously. In the \u201cFife and Drum Bands on Parade,\u201d the Koshinokuni Little Band opened the event, showcasing the fruits of their regular practice.<\/p>\n

A new attraction, \u201cChopin Rescue Mission,\u201d organized by the Osaka Diocese, made its debut in the basement levels 1 and 2 of the South Right Wing 2 of the Oyasato-yakata building-complex. Many children lined up to experience this new adventure, which promised surprises and thrills.<\/p>\n

On this day, the morning sun was especially strong. Children frequently quenched their thirst at tea tents set up throughout the Home of the Parent.<\/p>\n

In the evening, the \u201cFife and Drum Bands\u2019 Dedicatory Performance\u201d was held in front of the East Worship Hall. This year, the performance began on the 26th prior to the official opening of the Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba. The first performance featured 44 groups totaling 670 members, who played the pilgrimage\u2019s theme song, \u201cThank You! Summer in Jiba,\u201d in unison.<\/p>\n

After the evening service at the Main Sanctuary, the South Approach was beautifully illuminated, delighting the children.<\/p>\n

Clear summer skies prevailed throughout the eight-day event. Although there were occasional evening showers, they did not disrupt the schedule, and all activities proceeded smoothly. With consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 35\u00b0C (95\u00b0F) and heatstroke alerts issued on some days, over 150 doctors, nurses, and other volunteers from Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital staffed five first-aid stations to swiftly care for any children feeling unwell.<\/p>\n

On the evening of August 3, the final day of the pilgrimage, the \u201cFife and Drum Bands\u2019 Dedicatory Performance\u201d\u2014the last of the scheduled activities\u2014was held.<\/p>\n

With a refreshing breeze blowing through the Sanctuary precincts, the band members lined up in front of the East Worship Hall of the Main Sanctuary. They performed the pilgrimage\u2019s theme song, \u201cThank You! Summer in Jiba,\u201d with united hearts to offer the fruits of their practice to God the Parent and Oyasama. The audience responded with warm applause in recognition of their effort, bringing the 2025 Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba to a close.<\/p>\n

After a summer of mutual help and growth, the children bid each other farewell, saying, \u201cLet\u2019s come back to Jiba again next year,\u201d as they began their journey home.<\/p>\n

Just before the evening service on the closing day, the \u201cGathering of Appreciation\u201d was held in the East Worship Hall, bringing together resident staff members, event staff, and hinokishin <\/em>volunteers who had been involved in welcoming and supporting participants. In gratitude for the safe conclusion of the pilgrimage, all participants attended the evening service at the Main Sanctuary.<\/p>\n

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The 2025 Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba, sponsored by Church Headquarters, opened on July 27 and concluded on August 3, filling the Home of the Parent with the smiles of children enjoying their summer pilgrimage. This year\u2019s eight-day event drew a total of 159,444 participants\u2014about 2,500 more than last year\u2019s nine-day\u2026<\/p>\n

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