{"id":10305,"date":"2026-08-08T14:52:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-08T05:52:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=10305"},"modified":"2026-08-27T09:24:52","modified_gmt":"2026-08-27T00:24:52","slug":"oyasato-seminar-students-seek-the-path-in-the-home-of-the-parent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=10305","title":{"rendered":"Oyasato Seminar Students Seek the Path in the Home of the Parent"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The Oyasato Seminar\u2014a summer program that teaches the young generation of the path from overseas about the Tenrikyo faith\u2014was held in the Home of the Parent, with the English, Portuguese, and Spanish Courses running between July 17 and 22 and the Korean Course between August 3 and 7. This year, the Spanish Course was held for the first time in seven years.<\/p>\n

The seminar, sponsored by Tenrikyo Overseas Department, was originally launched in 1984 to help nurture successors of the path living overseas by providing an opportunity to gather in Jiba and learn and implement Oya\u00adsama\u2019s teachings. This year, it drew 50 participants from the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Paraguay, Colombia, Argentina, and South Korea.<\/p>\n

There were 10 students in the English Course. They checked in at Moya 38 on July 16, the day before the official opening of the Oyasato Seminar, and attended the English Course orientation. The seminar\u2019s opening ceremony took place at the Overseas Department on July 17, attended by the students of the English, Portuguese, and Spanish Courses, as well as staff members and instructors for each course. Overseas Department Vice Head Masanao Naka\u00adyama said in his opening address: \u201cThe experience, insight, and inspiration you will gain during the seminar will certainly encourage you to return to Jiba again, and it will also be a treasure you carry with you as you continue to walk the path as Yoboku in the future. The actual program lasts only five days, but I am sure you will never forget these five days for the rest of your life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"In the first half of the English Course program, the students reviewed the basic teachings and gained new insights into the teachings through workshops entitled \u201cGod the Parent and Jiba,\u201d \u201cFamily\u2019s Faith,\u201d \u201cOyasama,\u201d and \u201cA Thing Lent, A Thing Borrowed.\u201d Those workshops included tours of the Main Sanctuary, the Foundress\u2019 Sanctuary, the Memorial Hall, Oyasama\u2019s birthplace, and the historical buildings as well as talks on particular aspects of the path, group discussions, and enjoyable group activities designed to help students deepen their understanding of the teachings of the path.<\/p>\n

In the second half of the program, the students engaged in the outward practices of the faith. On the 19th, they devoted themselves to cleaning hino\u00adkishin<\/em> at the Main Sanctuary, sweeping and wiping the ground floor of the East Worship Hall in high spirits with a sense of gratitude for the daily blessings of God the Parent. On the 21st, the students went to Nara City to spread the fragrance of the teachings to tourists and others from various parts of the world. The students were divided into three groups to speak with people and distribute pamphlets around JR Nara Station and Kintetsu Nara Station, as well as on Sanjo-dori Street. Also, each group spread the name of God by singing the Eight Verses of the Yorozuyo while walking together as a group. On the previous day, the students had chosen particular teachings to share with tourists in Nara and practiced explaining them in their own words.<\/p>\n

During the program, all 10 students of the English Course received the truth of the Sazuke. They pledged to become fine Yoboku who can show examples of how to live the Joyous Life to their local communities by implementing what they had learned through the Oyasato Seminar.<\/p>\n

\"\"On the 22nd, the closing ceremony was held at the Overseas Department, where a representative from each course gave an appreciation speech. From the English Course, Tasuke Takahashi shared how he was able to deepen his faith and grow spiritually alongside other students. He said that one of the most meaningful parts of the Seminar was listening to other participants\u2019 thoughts and experiences. He also noted that learning about the teachings is not limited to simply listening to lectures, as he enjoyed the creative and enjoyable ways the participants explored the teachings together during the program.<\/p>\n

Looking back on the Oyasato Seminar, Kalen Takayuki Kao, a student from Hawaii, shared his experiences and hopes for the future as a new Yoboku. He said that he learned a lot about the Tenrikyo teachings and made new friends who share the same faith. He also expressed his desire to become more involved in his church after returning home by participating in the services and contributing to church activities. In addition, he hopes to have more conversations with his grandfather, the head minister of his church, to hear more about his experiences and faith.<\/p>\n

\"\" \"\" \"\" \"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Oyasato Seminar\u2014a summer program that teaches the young generation of the path from overseas about the Tenrikyo faith\u2014was held in the Home of the Parent, with the English, Portuguese, and Spanish Courses running between July 17 and 22 and the Korean Course between August 3 and 7. This year,\u2026<\/p>\n

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