{"id":4017,"date":"2016-08-16T10:52:51","date_gmt":"2016-08-16T10:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=4017"},"modified":"2016-08-24T06:26:58","modified_gmt":"2016-08-24T06:26:58","slug":"oyasama-130th-anniversary-children%ca%bcs-pilgrimage-to-jiba-draws-over-280000","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=4017","title":{"rendered":"Oyasama 130th Anniversary Children\u02bcs Pilgrimage to Jiba Draws Over 280,000"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The Oyasama 130th Anniversary Children\u02bcs Pilgrimage to Jiba was held between July 26 and August 5 under the theme \u201cSpreading smiles! Help each other!\u201d This year, in commemoration of the anniversary, the pilgrimage was lengthened by an additional day. During this 11-day period, a total of 280,426 children and staff members, including some 1,657 children and adult leaders from 29 overseas countries and regions, returned to the Home of the Parent.<\/p>\n

During the Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba, the high temperature in the Home of the Parent exceeded 30\u00b0C (86\u00b0F) every day. As a measure to maintain the health of participants and prevent heat stroke, first-aid stations with the full support of Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital were set up at 14 locations and staffed by nurses from this hospital as well as students from Tenri Health Care University.<\/p>\n

The Children\u02bcs Pilgrimage officially kicked off after the completion of the July Monthly Service on the 26th. Immediately afterward, large numbers of children began swarming to various attractions and educational and training activities, each of which was associated with one or another of the \u201cthree promises\u201d for the Children\u02bcs Pilgrimage to Jiba: (1) Savor the joy of living; (2) Take good care of things; and (3) Help one another.<\/p>\n

As for the educational and training activities, the \u201cOyasato-yakata Lecture\u201d and the \u201cService Practice Classroom\u201d gave the children an opportunity to learn the teachings and practice the service dance and the musical instruments used in Tenrikyo services. Children could also participate in hinokishin<\/em> activities at the Home of the Parent. Cheerful voices of children shouting \u201cIchi<\/em>, ni<\/em>, san<\/em>, shi<\/em> (One, two, three, four)\u201d could be heard at the corridor-cleaning hinokishin<\/em> site in the Sanctuary Corridor. At the venue for earth-carrying hinokishin\u2014which is one of the original activities of the Children\u2019s Pilgrimage\u2014there were many children carrying earth in straw baskets suspended from 1.5-meter (5-ft.) wooden poles.<\/p>\n

Organized for the children\u02bcs entertainment were a variety of thrills and adventures such as the \u201cChopin\u02bcs Miracle Adventures\u201d and the \u201cNinja Village\u201d as well as a musical production of a children\u02bcs story and stage performances including a variety show featuring dance, music, comedy, and magic. Several swimming pools as well as a number of playgrounds equipped with a variety of entertaining gadgets and contraptions were also provided for the children\u02bcs enjoyment. In addition, a variety of athletic competitions were held, such as the \u201cChildren\u02bcs Olympics\u201d and a martial arts competition for children.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>After the evening service on July 26, fireworks lit up the sky to mark the start of the Oyasato Parade\u2014which is always one of the highlights of the children\u02bcs stay in the Home of the Parent. Many brass bands and fife and drum bands as well as pilgrimage groups from some overseas countries and regions participated in it. Children seated on bleachers lining the parade route were drawn to the spectacular performances.<\/p>\n

July 27 marked the first day of activities such as offertory gagaku<\/em> and fife and drum performances and the \u201cMorning Service.\u201d At the \u201cMorning Service\u201d event at 8:00 a.m., great numbers of children filled the North, South, and East Worship Halls to attend the performance of the seated service led by the Shinbashira, who played the wooden clappers.<\/p>\n

After the service, the Shinbashira gave a talk to the participants. He first referred to the official title of this year\u2019s Children\u2019s Pilgrimage that includes the expression \u201cOyasama 130th Anniversary.\u201d He then clarified the differences between Oyasama\u02bcs anniversaries and those of our ancestors by saying that Oyasama did not pass away but withdrew from physical life. He continued: \u201cThe reason why we observe Oyasama\u2019s anniversaries every ten years is to remember the intention behind Her withdrawal and to make a committed effort to bring Her joy. . . . Oyasama cannot be physically seen but She remains here in this Residence, always watching over us. Thanks to Her, we can live each day with a sense of security.\u201d Walking around the worship halls, he asked the children: \u201cWhen did you make your dad, mom, or friends happy recently? What exactly did you do to make them happy?\u201d Their answers included \u201cWhen I did some house chores\u201d and \u201cWhen I did some hinokishin<\/em> for others.\u201d<\/p>\n

After listening to those children with a smile, the Shinbashira said: \u201cWhen you do something that makes others happy, they are happy and you also have a good feeling. When both you and they are happy, that will be the source of the Joyous Life. And I am sure that God the Parent and Oyasama are also delighted to see that happen.\u201d The Shinbashira then talked about the importance of the Boys and Girls Association Pledge. \u201cWe are taught three important points: namely, \u201cbe faithful to the teachings,\u201d \u201cdevote [oneself] to hinokishin<\/em>,\u201d and \u201chelp others at all times. . . . You will see reminders of these points throughout the Children\u2019s Pilgrimage sites. These three points are all part of the important teachings of Oyasama,\u201d he said. He concluded his talk by saying: \u201cWhat Oyasama wants to see us do is build the world of the Joyous Life by helping one another. In order to do that, we should implement what we are taught as straightforwardly as possible. I hope you will try to implement the teachings of Oyasama in your daily life, not just while you are here in Jiba, the Home of the Parent, but also after you go back to your home. Having made that request, I would like to conclude my talk this morning.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba came to a close on August 5. In the Oyasato Parade that night, fife and drum bands were joined by Boys and Girls Hinokishin Corps members, nurses from Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital, students from Tenri Health Care University, and high school students and other staff members who had contributed their hinokishin during the Children\u2019s Pilgrimage. The appearance of the marching band of Tenri Kyoko Gakuen High School marked the end of the Oyasato Parade and the beginning of the \u201cFinale\u201d held in front of the Main Sanctuary. Two representatives of the Boys and Girls Hinokishin Corps offered words of appreciation to the Shinbashira. Fifty members of the Boys and Girls Hinokishin Corps then presented the Shinbashira, his wife, and Successor-Designate Daisuke Nakayama with bouquets of flowers. This was followed by everyone singing this year\u2019s theme song \u201cSpreading smiles! Help each other!\u201d Another round of fireworks brought the 11-day event to a close.<\/p>\n

Following the morning service on August 6, the Shinbashira thanked the organizers and people who had engaged in hinokishin<\/em> during the period. The Shinbashira then asked his listeners to incorporate their memories and experiences gained through their hard work into their daily life so that they can make continuous efforts to live up to God the Parent and Oyasama\u02bcs intention.<\/p>\n

\n

Overseas Pilgrimage Groups Return to Jiba<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Pilgrims from overseas participating in the Children\u02bcs Pilgrimage to Jiba made an invaluable contribution to the children\u02bcs festival by adding an international flavor to it. According to the statistics compiled by the Overseas Department, the numbers of people from overseas who returned to Jiba during the period were: 182 from North America (U.S. mainland and Canada); 68 from Hawaii; 13 from Australia; 24 from Sri Lanka, 22 from Thailand, 13 from Laos, 11 from Nepal, 4 from the Philippines, 2 from Singapore, 1 from Indonesia, 1 from Vietnam; 342 from Taiwan, 339 from South Korea, 43 from Mongolia, 20 from Hong Kong, 6 from the Chinese mainland; 440 from Brazil, 35 from Colombia, 14 from Mexico, 9 from Peru, 7 from Argentina, 6 from Venezuela, 4 from Panama; 31 from France, 9 from the U.K., 4 from Italy, 3 from the Netherlands, 1 from Germany; 3 from Kenya. In honor of these pilgrims, a welcome-back party was given on July 28 in the Overseas Department\u02bcs parking lot, providing a perfect opportunity for them to enjoy one another\u02bcs company.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Among those who joined the Children\u02bcs Pilgrimage from Hawaii were eight children who belong to the Hawaii Tenri Dojo. They participated in the martial arts competition and gained invaluable experience. Rev. Melvin Iwata, who is in charge of this group and the head minister of Honolulu-ko Church, said, \u201cI\u02bcm really glad to be able to guide these children from the Hawaii Tenri Dojo to the Oyasama 130th Anniversary Children\u02bcs Pilgrimage to Jiba. They must have experienced the atmosphere of the Home of the Parent and Japanese traditional Judo.\u201d<\/p>\n

As the blazing heat of midsummer sent children scurrying in search of refreshments, members of the Boys and Girls Hinokishin Corps served them ice-cold tea as one of the corps\u02bc many hinokishin<\/em> activities. This year, a total of 180 boys and girls from overseas countries and regions took part in the Hinokishin Corps between July 26 and 29.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Oyasama 130th Anniversary Children\u02bcs Pilgrimage to Jiba was held between July 26 and August 5 under the theme \u201cSpreading smiles! Help each other!\u201d<\/p>\n

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