{"id":2206,"date":"2013-11-13T07:47:54","date_gmt":"2013-11-13T07:47:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=2206"},"modified":"2013-11-19T06:40:24","modified_gmt":"2013-11-19T06:40:24","slug":"the-89th-tenrikyo-young-men%e2%80%99s-association-convention-held","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=2206","title":{"rendered":"The 89th Tenrikyo Young Men\u2019s Association Convention Held"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a>On October 27, the day after the Autumn Grand Service, the 89th Tenrikyo Young Men\u2019s Association Convention was held in the Inner Courtyard of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters.<\/p>\n

The Young Men\u2019s Association is currently promoting the association guidelines \u201cDevelop faith and spread the teachings in single-heartedness with God.\u201d In anticipation of the 130th Anniversary of Oyasama, directly supervised chapters, diocese chapters, and overseas chapters have been making proactive efforts to enhance the substance of chapter activities in ordinary times, nurture human resources, and carry out missionary activities under the slogan \u201cLet\u2019s build momentum for salvation.\u201d In the lead-up to this convention, directly supervised chapters made concerted efforts to reach out to their members so that they would have at least one member from each branch chapter attending the convention.<\/p>\n

Under the clear autumn skies, the convention drew 27,000 people including association members from all parts of Japan as well as overseas. Long before the start of the convention, groups of association members bearing their chapter flags assembled in the Inner Courtyard one after another.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>At 10:00 a.m., the Shinbashira, who is also the president of the association, Women\u2019s Association President Harue Nakayama, Mr. Daisuke Nakayama, who had just been named as the successor-designate to the Shinbashira, and other distinguished guests entered the Inner Courtyard to the accompaniment of music provided by Tenri High School Brass Band. The convention began with a moment of worship. After the hoisting of the association flag and the opening declaration, all participants sang the Eight Verses of the Yorozuyo. Then, Association Headquarters Chairman Masanao Nakayama read a progress report on the activities of the previous year.<\/p>\n

The Shinbashira then took the podium to deliver his address. He started by mentioning the slogan \u201cLet\u2019s build momentum for salvation,\u201d which the Young Men\u2019s Association is promoting for its pre-anniverary activities in the lead-up to the 130th Anniversary of Oyasama. He also spoke about how each directly supervised chapter is setting a concrete goal for its activities relating to missionary and salvation work and carrying out its chapter activities. He then said: \u201cIf pre-anniversary activities are conducted only by those who are adept or willing, we cannot say that we are in accord with Oyasama\u2019s intention. If you build a wall around yourselves, nothing will change. Unless you take a step forward, you gain nothing. Unless you unite your efforts with one another, you can never open a path before you.\u201d He explained that the significance of anniversary-related activities lies in making further progress on the path of single-hearted salvation, which Oyasama hastens.<\/p>\n

After briefly reflecting upon the history of the association, he said: \u201cThe association\u2019s membership does not require any qualification besides age. What matters most is the earnest desire to seek and spread the teachings.\u201d He went on to say that the most important thing that must be done by members is \u201cto understand their mission, which is to blaze a trail in yet unexplored regions,\u201d and he expressed his desire for the Young Men\u2019s Association to become an organization where its members grow through its activities and unite their minds as one in carrying out those activities.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

He explained that our forebears pondered deeply and held intensive discussions in their efforts to bring their minds in full accord with Oyasama\u2019s intention, and Oyasama urged them to settle their minds in single-heartedness with God. After saying that the times have changed since then and our way of thinking is vastly different from that of our forebears, he said that we need to exert ever more effort to understand God\u2019s intention embodied in Oyasama\u2019s Divine Model and give thought to how each of us should follow Her example and which part of the Divine Model we should apply to our own lives.<\/p>\n

He then told the listeners: \u201cThe first thing we should keep in mind is to reflect on God\u2019s providence. When we ponder over the workings of God the Parent and Oyasama, our spirit of single-heartedness with God is always being tested. . . . The characteristic of the Young Men\u2019s Association members is the virtue of being young. It is my wish that you will take advantage of your youthful energy to sprinkle the fragrance of the teachings and help save others with enthusiasm and momentum. Without wavering or worrying too much about the future, I hope you will dedicate your utmost to carrying out your pre-anniversary activities.\u201d
\nHe went on to say that if we miss the season to sow seeds or if we fail to make efforts befitting the season, we will not see any fruit borne. He said, while keeping our sights on the grand goal of world salvation, we need to steadily implement the teachings, starting with whatever we can do. He encouraged the members to take advantage of this seasonable time to help one another settle the spirit of single-heartedness with God, unite their minds in achieving the goal set by their respective directly supervised chapter, and strive to become a driving force for the pre-anniversary activities.<\/p>\n

In closing, he requested the members to make a concerted effort to sprinkle the fragrance of the teachings and help save others so that they can build momentum for salvation and encouraged them by saying: \u201cEvery step you take according to the time and season will not only bear fruit at the 130th Anniversary of Oyasama, bringing you great joy, but also lay a firm basis for the 100th anniversary of the Young Men\u2019s Association, which will be taking place after the 130th Anniversary of Oyasama. This will eventually lead to the blessing that will last through endless generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

Following the president\u2019s address, Sanohara Chapter Chairman Tatsuya Shoji made a pledge on behalf of all association members. To close the convention, all members recited the \u201cGuiding Principles of Arakitoryo\u201d and joined together in singing the \u201cTenrikyo Young Men\u2019s Association Song\u201d and the \u201cOyasama 130th Anniversary Song.\u201d<\/p>\n

Convention-Eve Festivities<\/strong>
\nOn the eve of the convention, many association members gathered for the \u201cConvention-Eve Festivities\u201d held after the evening service on October 26. On the east and west sides of the South Gate, directly supervised, diocese, and overseas chapters operated 62 booths offering a variety of regional foods. Entertainment was provided on two stages, one on each side of the gate.<\/p>\n

The Shinbashira made rounds of the festivity sites, interacting with association members and offering his encouragement to the staff overseeing the festivities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On October 27, the day after the Autumn Grand Service, the 89th Tenrikyo Young Men\u2019s Association Convention was held in the Inner Courtyard of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters. The Young Men\u2019s Association is currently promoting the association guidelines \u201cDevelop faith and spread the teachings in single-heartedness with God.\u201d In anticipation of\u2026<\/p>\n

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