The August Monthly Service was solemnly conducted at Tenrikyo Church Headquarters on the 26th with the Shinbashira presiding. In the Service prayer, the Shinbashira thanked God the Parent for the many blessings we were shown during the month, including the safe completion of the Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba on August 4 and the huge success of the Students Training Course held for a week beginning on the 9th. Then, in reference to the fact that his mother, Masa Nakayama, had passed away for rebirth on the 15th, the Shinbashira said: “In the middle of the month, a sad event occurred at the Residence. Yet, we are determined to let this occurrence serve as a reminder to ponder over the parental heart and take an ever firmer step along the path of single-hearted salvation. Guided by the deep parental heart and basking in the free and unlimited blessings, we shall encourage the people of the world to abandon the cunning devices of human thought and achieve new heights in sincerity so that we may forge a firm foundation for the Joyous Life and live together in peace as true brothers and sisters. We ask for the blessings that will enable us to build a world filled with happiness and goodness as well as spiritual richness.”<\/p>\n
The Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements were then performed joyously while the congregation spiritedly joined in singing the songs for the Service.<\/p>\n
The sermon was delivered by Honbu-in Mantaro Yoshikawa, who focused his talk on the pressing need to nurture the young. First, he cited the example provided by Kokan, Oyasama’s youngest daughter, who walked to Osaka to spread the name of God in 1853, the very year when her father had passed away. Inasmuch as Kokan was still 17 at the time, Honbu-in Yoshikawa emphasized that Kokan’s example of following Oyasama’s instructions to the letter without entertaining the slightest trace of doubt is a precious model that young people would do well to learn from.<\/p>\n
He went on to say that parents and elders must initially make an effort to nurture themselves and subsequently make a sincere and concerted effort to nurture those who would follow in their footsteps.<\/p>\n
Referring to the passing of Mrs. Nakayama, he said: “The courage to overcome the sadness we feel today will burst forth in the course of our efforts dedicated to single-hearted salvation. This is clearly demonstrated in Kokan’s example. To emulate that example is not only the task entrusted to each and every one of us but also the best way for us to show our respect and appreciation to the late Mrs. Masa Nakayama.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The August Monthly Service was solemnly conducted at Tenrikyo Church Headquarters on the 26th with the Shinbashira presiding. In the Service prayer, the Shinbashira thanked God the Parent for the many blessings we were shown during the month, including the safe completion of the Children’s Pilgrimage to Jiba on August\u2026<\/p>\n