{"id":2738,"date":"2014-09-17T10:59:38","date_gmt":"2014-09-17T10:59:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=2738"},"modified":"2014-10-01T02:03:47","modified_gmt":"2014-10-01T02:03:47","slug":"july-monthly-service-performed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=2738","title":{"rendered":"July Monthly Service Performed"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The July Monthly Service was duly conducted on the 26th in the Main Sanctuary of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters with the Shinbashira presiding as chief officiant.<\/p>\n

On that day, high atmospheric pressure brought scorching heat to Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that the temperature reached 35\u00b0C (95\u00b0F) at 231 of the 927 observation sites throughout Japan. In the Home of the Parent, the high was above 35\u00b0C (95\u00b0F).<\/p>\n

In the Service prayer, the Shinbashira touched upon this year\u2019s Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba and said: \u201cWe pray that as many children as possible who are looking forward to the summer event in Jiba will return here and participate in a variety of attractions and activities including hinokishin, thereby enhancing their joy of being able to live by receiving Your providence. Please nurture these boys and girls so that they may grow straightforwardly and vibrantly into fine Yoboku. Also please guide us in ensuring that everything proceeds smoothly throughout the duration of the pilgrimage.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements were then performed joyously.
\nBoys and Girls Hinokishin Corps members as well as pilgrimage groups wearing matching shirts stood out in the Main Sanctuary, heralding the start of the Children\u2019s Pilgrimage. Followers sang the songs for the Service in unity of mind.<\/p>\n

Following the Service performance, Honbu-in Harunobu Nakayama took the podium to deliver his sermon.
\nHe started off by referring to the role of the Pilgrim Reception Department, which he heads. He stated: \u201cThere are appropriate ways of providing hospitality here in Jiba. We need to have repeated discussions and think about how we can bring joy and satisfaction to the pilgrims in a way that can only be experienced in Jiba. . . . Each time we return to Jiba, we show Oyasama, who is waiting for our return, how much progress we have made in our spiritual growth so that we can reassure Her. That is the best way to bring joy to Her.\u201d<\/p>\n

He then pointed out that adults should be able to nurture children, but they tend to fail to mature sufficiently to assume the responsibilities in the present state of society. Stressing the need to have a dependable guide for their thoughts and decisions, he emphasized the importance of getting rid of their bad habits and changing their temperaments, thereby nurturing the mind of simple openness, which will enable them to serve as Oyasama\u2019s useful instruments.<\/p>\n

Rev. Nakayama said, \u201cThere has been a social tendency that makes it hard for parents to convey their thoughts and ideas to their children in a society with diversified values.\u201d He said that we should take a fresh look at the parent-child relationships in case there is such a tendency among Tenrikyo families. He then said, \u201cNo matter how complex family environments and situations might be, it is of prime importance that parents, instead of someone else, take full responsibility for raising their children with the father being strict and the mother being loving and caring.\u201d<\/p>\n

He went on to say: \u201cIt is the role of churches and church head ministers to convey messages delivered in any given season from Jiba to the children, give them advice based on the teachings when they are troubled, and provide them with care and guidance from a broad and long-term perspective. . . . Whatever is left unattended or overlooked can be covered by various Tenrikyo associations.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also touched upon the opening of the Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba for the 177th year of Tenrikyo. Quoting the Shinbashira\u2019s words\u2014regarding the significance of nurturing children between the ages of 13 and 15\u2014delivered at the Boys and Girls Association leaders\u2019 first meeting of the year in 1997, he said, \u201cIn line with the Shinbashira\u02bcs words, if children can sow good seeds at their age by serving others and taking delight in bringing joy to others, they can be nurtured into Yoboku who can live up to the expectations of God and Oyasama when the time comes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Toward the end of his sermon, Rev. Nakayama stated that the former Shinbashira\u2019s passing away for rebirth was a serious knot in the midst of the seasonable time. However, reminding the congregation of how the early followers managed to overcome their sadness after Oyasama\u2019s withdrawal from physical life, he said, \u201cI believe if we do what we have to do in the time and place we are given with firm determination, we will be boosted by blessings appropriate for the season, thereby enabling us, our children, grandchildren, and those in generations ahead to continue making progress in spiritual growth.\u201d He concluded his sermon by calling for further efforts to ensure that we can return to Jiba on the day of the anniversary with the fruits of our pre-anniversary activities.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The July Monthly Service was duly conducted on the 26th in the Main Sanctuary of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters with the Shinbashira presiding as chief officiant. On that day, high atmospheric pressure brought scorching heat to Japan. The Japan Meteorological Agency announced that the temperature reached 35\u00b0C (95\u00b0F) at 231 of\u2026<\/p>\n

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