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<\/a>The meeting originally developed from the interreligious gathering convened in 1986 by the late Pope John Paul II, who invited religious leaders from across the world to gather in Assisi, a Catholic holy site in Italy. Each year after that, the Community of Sant\u2019Egidio took the initiative to hold the meeting in a different city in Europe. Tenrikyo has participated in the meeting almost every year. The 2009 meeting in Krakow, Poland, was attended by the Shinbashira and his wife for the first time.<\/p>\nTenrikyo\u2019s first official interaction with the Vatican took place about 90 years ago when Tenrikyo provided exhibits for the Exhibition of World Religions held in the Vatican in 1924. It was later followed by meetings between successive Shinbashiras and popes, as well as interpersonal and academic exchanges over the years.<\/p>\n
Rev. Hideo Yamaguchi, who moved to Italy alone 45 years ago and has continued missionary efforts there, has played a big role in establishing and maintaining connections with the community. Due to mutual trust built by Rev. Yamaguchi and other local followers, Tenrikyo has been asked to offer behind-the-scenes help with the meeting. As in the past few years, a follower living in Italy and two staff members from the Overseas Department were involved in this year\u2019s event as interpreters.<\/p>\n
Dialogue under the Theme \u201cCourage to Hope\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n The meeting started with the opening assembly at Auditorium Conciliazione on the evening of September 29. A variety of topics were then discussed in the panel sessions held at various venues in the city on day two and the morning of the last day. On the afternoon of day two, participating religious leaders including Rev. Shirokihara and four other Tenrikyo representatives had an audience with Pope Francis.<\/p>\n On the evening of the last day, participating religious groups were allocated separate venues to conduct their respective prayers for peace. The Tenrikyo delegation performed the seated service and the first half of the Dance with Hand Movements to the accompaniment of the wooden clappers, cymbals, and flute. In addition, Tenrikyo pamphlets were distributed to those who gathered.<\/p>\n Rev. Shirokihara said: \u201cSince the meeting was taking place when Tenrikyo Nioigake Day was observed, I presented the Tenrikyo-based vision of peace while seeing this as an opportunity to sprinkle the fragrance of the teachings. In other panel sessions, I was able to listen to religious leaders who are making sincere efforts to address issues facing various countries and regions. Their passion tells me that they are not just talking the talk, they are walking the walk. I strongly feel that as people who are striving to realize the Joyous Life World, we have to increase our commitment to salvation work as instructed in Instruction Three.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/a>After the prayer, religious representatives marched in procession from their prayer locations to Piazza del Campidoglio for the final ceremony. At the ceremony, leaders from all participating religions were on the stage to light \u201ccandles for peace\u201d while offering a collective prayer for world peace.<\/p>\n