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On March 28, the Oyasama 140th Anniversary Students\u2019 Pilgrimage to Jiba, cosponsored by the Students Association and the Students Advisory Committee, was held in the Home of the Parent under the theme \u201cLet us all come together with joy and enthusiasm to create a convention filled with kindness and smiling faces.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bathed in the gentle warmth of spring sunshine, with cherry blossoms in full bloom adding color to the Home of the Parent, some 3,700 high school, technical school, junior college, and university students assembled in the Inner Courtyard of Church Headquarters to attend this convention, honored by the presence of Mrs. Harue Nakayama.<\/p>\n
Following a moment of prayer and the singing of the Eight Verses of the Yorozuyo, Students Association Chairperson Naoya Takeda made opening remarks. Next, Director-in-Chief of Administrative Affairs Zensuke Nakata took the podium to read a message from the Shinbashira.<\/p>\n
The message began with the words \u201cI have written down my thoughts with the sincere hope that, from here on, all of you will follow this path in an honest and straightforward manner.\u201d The message then touched upon the significance of Oyasama\u2019s anniversaries, saying: \u201cEven after Oyasama withdrew from physical life, She has continued to work for us by virtue of Her eternal life. If we are followers of the path, we need to trust honestly and straightforwardly that Oyasama is indeed everliving.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Shinbashira went on to say that Oyasama, in Her role as the Shrine of Tsukihi, taught us human beings God the Parent\u2019s intention not only by Her spoken word but also by Her written word to ensure we would not forget it. Furthermore, She showed through Her own example the path that leads to the Joyous Life, guiding us in an orderly manner. He emphasized that the key to deepening our faith in this path is to understand that God the Parent and Oyasama are our true Parent. He further taught, \u201cThe proper attitude of those who follow this path is to perceive the teachings of Oyasama\u2014who conveyed the intention of our original Parent\u2014as the words of our true Parent and to trust in them with simple openness.\u201d<\/p>\n
In closing, the Shinbashira stressed, \u201cThe path Oyasama taught us is the reliable path that leads us to the Joyous Life.\u201d He noted that in order to realize the Joyous Life, there must be a growing number of people who settle God the Parent and Oyasama\u2019s intention in their minds and put it into practice in their lives. He added: \u201cI hope that you will not only continue to apply yourselves earnestly to your studies but also learn the teachings and put them into practice, so that you may cultivate an unwavering faith and conviction because youth is the perfect time to do so.\u201d He concluded by saying, \u201cI ask you to trust wholeheartedly in the workings and guidance of the everliving Oya\u00adsama as you walk this path.\u201d<\/p>\n
This was followed by two speeches given by association members. Then Yuto Kusumi, a first-year student from Tenri University, made a pledge on behalf of all association members.<\/p>\n
The convention concluded with the recitation of the goals of spiritual maturity for students of the path, followed by singing by all present of the convention\u2019s theme song, \u201cYasashii kokoro\u201d (A gentle heart).<\/p>\n
After the convention, all participants performed the service together, led by Rev. Zensuke Nakata, with a sense of gratitude for being able to make the pilgrimage to Jiba and a renewed resolve to continue on the path of spiritual growth. The students then participated in various programs organized by their directly supervised churches.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the morning, 289 students, including 66 first-timers, attended the Besseki lectures in the morning before the convention began.<\/p>\n
On the previous day, the students had held the \u201cSpring Festival 140\u201d on both sides of the South Approach to the precincts, enabling them to enjoy a variety of entertainment provided by some of their fellow participants.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
On March 28, the Oyasama 140th Anniversary Students\u2019 Pilgrimage to Jiba, cosponsored by the Students Association and the Students Advisory Committee, was held in the Home of the Parent under the theme \u201cLet us all come together with joy and enthusiasm to create a convention filled with kindness and smiling\u2026<\/p>\n