{"id":6562,"date":"2018-02-20T02:33:56","date_gmt":"2018-02-20T02:33:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=6562"},"modified":"2018-02-20T02:37:43","modified_gmt":"2018-02-20T02:37:43","slug":"tenrikyo-assoications-announce-their-guidelines-and-plans-for-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=6562","title":{"rendered":"Tenrikyo Associations Announce Their Guidelines and Plans for 2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Boys and Girls Association<\/strong><\/p>\n

On January 27, Tenrikyo Boys and Girls Association held its leaders\u2019 first meeting of the year in Dining Hall 2, drawing 1,678 participants\u2014including heads of directly supervised chapters and diocese chapters as well as members of the nurturing committees of those chapters.<\/p>\n

This year, the association will be promoting the same guidelines for association activities as last year: \u201cLet\u2019s implement the Joyous Life each day and convey to children the joy it brings.\u201d The three concrete goals for association activities are also the same as last year: (1) Having all chapters conduct children\u2019s sleepovers and get-togethers at their churches; (2) Conducting hinokishin<\/em> activities in districts and encouraging participation by whole families; (3) Redoubling efforts to nurture members in junior high school\u2014conducting and enhancing the \u201cWorkshop for Children of the Path\u201d in directly supervised chapters and the \u201cWorkshop for Association Members in Junior High School\u201d in diocese chapters.<\/p>\n

At the meeting, the new theme for the Children\u2019s Pilgrimage to Jiba for 2018 (Tenrikyo 181) was also announced, namely: \u201cGratitude! In joy we are united, to the Home of the Parent!\u201d The association emphasized the message \u201cLet\u2019s promote our regular activities and increase the number of children returning to the Home of the Parent!\u201d<\/p>\n

The meeting began with an address by the Shinbashira, who also serves as president of the association. In his address, the Shinbashira first pointed out, \u201cWhat we need to keep in mind at all times as we follow the path is to emulate Oyasama and hand down the path of single-hearted salvation to the generations to come without mistake, besides following the path ourselves toward spiritual maturity.\u201d<\/p>\n

He then said that there can be different ways of guiding people and conveying the path to them depending on their age bracket or their level of spiritual growth. He said: \u201cTenrikyo Boys and Girls Association was established for the purpose of working with young children so that they would make the teachings second nature and eventually become people of the path who can work for the path splendidly. Just like the Young Men\u2019s Association and the Women\u2019s Association, its aim is to help its members make progress along the path of spiritual growth. After children finish their membership in the Boys and Girls Association, they are to follow the path on their own volition and serve as Yoboku, who strive to maintain the mind of saving others. This is what the Boys and Girls Association should be ultimately aiming to accomplish. I would like to make sure we all understand this point.\u201d<\/p>\n

Moreover, he said, \u201cWhat Oyasama showed us and left for us through the Divine Model is the foundation that enables us to nurture and guide children of the path.\u201d He explained that \u201cOyasama\u2019s uncompromising attitude that gives way to nothing in order to fulfill the intention of God the Parent is a precious example that we should be following, as we are entrusted with the responsibility to hand down the path to the next generation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Whether or not the Boys and Girls Association activities are going in the direction of single-hearted salvation is determined by whether those involved in the activities ask themselves if their minds are thoroughly single-hearted with God. The Shinbashira then went on to list some key points to keep in mind\u2014\u201cwhether adult leaders themselves are making an honest effort to put the teachings into practice\u201d or \u201cwhether they are not focused too much on entertaining the children.\u201d He then requested the participants to make adjustments from time to time in organizing their association activities and to guide the children of the path with a deep conviction of faith and with a strong sense of commitment to fulfilling whatever tasks they are given.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, the Shinbashira emphasized that the activities of the Boys and Girls Association can be regarded as faith-based education that can be offered regionally. He expressed his earnest wish for the adult leaders to promote activities so that in 20 or 30 years\u2019 time today\u2019s children will follow the path with confidence and, working with future generations of children, will strive to extend the path ever further.<\/p>\n

The Shinbashira concluded his address by saying: \u201cChildren grow physically and spiritually as they get older. It is my earnest hope that they will make good use of what they learn while they are members of the Boys and Girls Association, using it as nourishment for their spiritual growth, and continue following the path in the future. . . . Please maintain the attitude of nurturing and promote association activities vigorously.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chairperson Chikara Iburi then took the podium to explain the activity guidelines and concrete goals for this year. He said: \u201cIt is crucial to provide as many opportunities as possible for children to come in contact with and implement the teachings of Oyasama in their daily life. I strongly request that you carry out association activities proactively in your respective communities and at your respective churches.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially,\u201d he emphasized, \u201cchildren\u2019s get-togethers at churches are significant because those gatherings will provide precious opportunities to establish a close relationship between churches and children, which is important for the children\u2019s lifelong journey to spiritual maturity.\u201d<\/p>\n

With regard to the third concrete goal, namely, \u201cRedoubling efforts to nurture members in junior high school,\u201d Chairperson Iburi asserted that those years in junior high school are crucial in making a smooth transition to the next stage in their spiritual growth and said, \u201cBased on an increased understanding of the characteristics of children in that age bracket, the association headquarters will organize activities that cater to their needs as well as seminars that will assist in the effort to nurture them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Women\u2019s Association<\/strong><\/p>\n

On January 27 and 28, Tenrikyo Women\u2019s Association held a seminar for the chairwomen of directly supervised chapters and diocese chapters at Moya 38 with an attendance of 247 people. The association announced that it will continue to promote its slogan for spiritual maturity:<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s follow the Divine Model and become the foundation for the Joyous Life.<\/p>\n

The activity guidelines are also the same as last year:<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s grow spiritually into true Yoboku with our sights set on making repayment for the blessings we receive.<\/p>\n

1. Let\u2019s study the teachings and make them our own.
\n2. Let\u2019s nurture those close to us into true Yoboku.
\n3. Let\u2019s sprinkle the fragrance and help save others, aiming for a million members.<\/p>\n

In the seminar, Association President Harue Nakayama delivered her address. She started by explaining the importance of the Truth of Origin based on the Ofudesaki. Referring to one of the key concepts in the Ofudesaki, namely, God the Parent\u2019s intention to save the world by teaching the Origin, she said: \u201cWe should not just understand God\u2019s intention in our heads but try to settle it in our mind and convey it to others. Taking delight in the fact that we are fortunate to have been taught the Origin, let us work to implement what we need to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

She mentioned that the Women\u2019s Association 100th Convention would be held this April and that the Women\u2019s Association would be celebrating the 110th year of its establishment in two years. She then concluded her remarks by saying, \u201cLet us fulfill our role as women of the path by following the path while keeping in mind the intention of the Parent of Origin, so that we can bring as much joy as possible to God the Parent and Oyasama.\u201d<\/p>\n

During the seminar, the participants also had study meetings and group discussions.<\/p>\n

The association is planning to hold various events and activities this year such as the following: The Women\u2019s Association 100th Convention will be held in the Inner Courtyard of Church Headquarters on April 19. Following the convention, all the participants will perform the service together. In preparation for the 110th anniversary of the association, the Women\u2019s Association will be sponsoring the Seminars for Branch Chapter Chairwomen at each directly supervised chapter between February 10 and June 30. Other activities include regular events such as the Lecture for Mothers and various seminars.<\/p>\n

Young Men\u2019s Association<\/strong><\/p>\n

On January 25, Tenrikyo Young Men\u2019s Association held its monthly meeting at Yoki Hall. It was attended by 418 people, including chapter chairmen from directly supervised churches and dioceses as well as members of the steering committee.<\/p>\n

Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of Tenrikyo Young Men\u2019s Association. Under the slogan \u201cWork with your mind\u2014open up the world,\u201d the association is continuing to encourage every member to make honest efforts to seek the path and spread the teachings this year. Also it is once again promoting the guidelines \u201cBe grateful and take on new challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n

At the beginning of the meeting, Association President Daisuke Nakayama took the podium to address the participants. Touching upon its 94th convention to be held on October 28, 2018, as the 100th Anniversary Convention, he mentioned that the anniversary is not a goal but the beginning of a new endeavor to shape the future of Tenrikyo. He went on to say, \u201cIn order to ensure our full readiness to embark on a new stage, let all of us spend the remaining nine months making strenuous efforts to conduct the association activities.\u201d As for the guideline \u201cLet each of us bring one new person to worship,\u201d which was established in January last year, he said that there is joy that can only be savored by those who have brought new people to worship.<\/p>\n

He asked the members to work hard at fulfilling the goal so that the joy of bringing new worshipers will be experienced by as many people as possible, who will in turn proactively tell other members about this joy, as well. He concluded his remarks by saying: \u201cI am personally committed to trying to conduct our 100th anniversary activities with more enthusiasm than anyone else. Let\u2019s all work hard to carry them out while having fun!\u201d<\/p>\n

Association Chairman Yoshihito Ando then explained the association\u2019s activity goals. Regarding the effort to spread the teachings, he announced two concrete goals: \u201cSprinkle the fragrance from heart to heart in a conscious effort to bring new worshipers\u201d and \u201cPromote Arakitoryo Nioigake Day.\u201d Regarding the effort to seek the path, the association is working toward the following two concrete goals: \u201cLet us practice filial piety, maintain harmony in our husband-wife relationship, and implement the Joyous Life\u201d and \u201cLet us study the teachings and cultivate the ability to convey the teachings to others.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was also announced that, toward the 100th Anniversary Convention, the association will use the motto \u201cAll Association Members Assemble!\u201d On the day before the convention, the association will hold \u201c100 Fest\u201d in the daytime in the areas on both sides of the South Gate and in the evening in the open space in front of the Oyasato-yakata\u2019s East Center Wing. Further details will be provided in due course.<\/p>\n

As for the \u201cWorldwide Nioigake Month,\u201d the association announced that it will be held in June under the theme \u201cBring New Worshipers to Start a Chain of Salvation Work!\u201d With respect to the activities to be conducted by the chapters, Arakitoryo Nioigake Day (day focused on sprinkling the fragrance of the teachings) is scheduled for the second Sunday of each month.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Boys and Girls Association On January 27, Tenrikyo Boys and Girls Association held its leaders\u2019 first meeting of the year in Dining Hall 2, drawing 1,678 participants\u2014including heads of directly supervised chapters and diocese chapters as well as members of the nurturing committees of those chapters. This year, the association\u2026<\/p>\n

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