On October 26, the Shinbashira led the congregation in the Autumn Grand Service at Church Headquarters’ Main Sanctuary, commemorating the day the Teaching came into being in the year 1838. He announced Instruction Two during his sermon, thereby providing guidelines for the activities to be conducted in preparation for the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama. The Service drew 102,000 followers–including many from overseas–who reflected once again on the Teaching’s day of origin, took to heart the Shinbashira’s message stressing the necessity of “cultivating the mind of saving others and . . . implementing salvation work,” and pledged to strive with unchanging sincerity for salvation work. The occasion marked the beginning of the anniversary activities.<\/p>\n
On that cool autumn morning, the followers began arriving early, having awaited this day with eagerness and excitement. As all four worship halls filled up quickly, many seated themselves in the Corridor, the Inner Courtyard, and other areas within the precincts.<\/p>\n
Shortly after 8:00, the Shinbashira, accompanied by other Service performers, paid respects at the Foundress’ Sanctuary and the Memorial Hall, before proceeding to the Main Sanctuary, where, seated on the dais, he delivered the Service prayer. In it, he expressed gratitude for the constant and unchanging blessings of God the Parent, who, out of parental concern for the salvation of all humankind, became openly revealed at the arrival of the promised time by taking Oyasama as the Shrine. The Shinbashira went on to say: “Today I should like to announce Instruction Two in the hope of helping all of us bring our minds into unity so that we may carry out the activities leading up to the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama in a unity of mind.” He mentioned that, as a means of strengthening this endeavor, officials from Church Headquarters would visit directly supervised churches between November and February. He then said: “Please accept our resolve to make great progress during the present season in advancing our salvation work, and grant us free and unlimited workings in response to our sincere and single-hearted mind so that we may advance the construction of the Joyous World by sweeping the dusts of the mind arising from human thinking, by spreading the Truth of Origin to the world, and by exerting layer upon layer of sincere efforts on the sure and firm basis of the Truth.”<\/p>\n
Following this, the Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements were performed, with the followers singing the songs for the Service in high spirits while at the same time pondering the profound intention and parental heart of God the Parent and Oyasama as expressed in the songs.<\/p>\n