The September Monthly Service of Church Headquarters was performed on the 26th in the Main Sanctuary with the Shinbashira presiding.<\/p>\n
To commence the Service, the Shinbashira, accompanied by the other Service performers, worshiped at the Foundress’ Sanctuary and the Memorial Hall before proceeding to the Main Sanctuary, where he read the prayer to God the Parent. The Shinbashira began the prayer by thanking God the Parent for the daily blessings we receive. He then said: “All of us Service performers as well as church head ministers and Yoboku have made a pledge to implement salvation work in anticipation of the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama and have been exerting ourselves to fulfill it. This month, in particular, has been designated as a special month for sprinkling the fragrance of the teachings, and all of us Yoboku will be going out to sprinkle the fragrance of the teachings on Tenrikyo Nioigake Day, which will be observed at the end of this month.” He went on to say: “The people of the world tend to follow a dreadful and dangerous path because they are unaware of the Truth of Origin of this world. We ask, therefore, that You help us make them aware of the original Parent and convey the Parent’s intention to them, so that, together, we may advance along the path of the truth of heaven in high spirits.” Further, referring to the previous day’s ceremony to commence the construction of South Right Wing 2 of the Oyasato-yakata building-complex, the Shinbashira said, “I pray that You will enable all followers of the path to unite their minds ever more firmly, sow seeds of sincerity, and advance the construction of the Joyous Life World in pace with the material construction.”<\/p>\n
Following the prayer, the Kagura and the Dance with Hand Movements were joyfully performed while followers joined in the singing of the Mikagura-uta, the Songs for the Service.<\/p>\n
The performance of the Service was followed by the sermon delivered by Honbu-in Seitaro Yamada. Regarding the significance of the Oyasato Construction, he said: “Only when people who have returned to the Home of the Parent and savored the unbounded joy of being embraced by their true Parent reflect that joy to their local communities will the world truly settle and a life of happiness be attained. In order to make this happen, the Oyasato Construction is indispensable.” He also said: “The construction will be accomplished when our minds of sincerity focused on saving others are united into one. Let us, therefore, be thorough in striving to accomplish it.” He further pointed out that this year marked the 150th year since the first missionary work was conducted in 1853, when Kokan, Oyasama’s youngest daughter, went to Osaka to spread the name of God the Parent, despite the great knot of her father’s passing away for rebirth. He then said: “It depends solely on the mind whether a branch will break at a knot or a bud will sprout from the knot. Especially at times when we are shown a knot, let us be ever more spirited and stride along the path of single-hearted salvation. While making efforts to do so, the path will open before us.” He closed his sermon by calling on the followers, “Let each of us be aware of our respective positions and treasure each day while devoting ourselves to implementing salvation work and sowing seeds of sincerity through the Oyasato Construction.”<\/p>\n
On the following day, the autumn memorial service was performed. After the prayer was read by the Shinbashira and the Yorozuyo as well as the Twelve Songs were performed in the Main Sanctuary, a ceremony was held in the Memorial Hall. In the ceremony, the Shinbashira delivered a eulogy in memory of the painstaking efforts made by our predecessors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The September Monthly Service of Church Headquarters was performed on the 26th in the Main Sanctuary with the Shinbashira presiding. To commence the Service, the Shinbashira, accompanied by the other Service performers, worshiped at the Foundress’ Sanctuary and the Memorial Hall before proceeding to the Main Sanctuary, where he read\u2026<\/p>\n