{"id":835,"date":"2011-11-01T02:16:06","date_gmt":"2011-11-01T02:16:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=835"},"modified":"2011-11-18T06:50:11","modified_gmt":"2011-11-18T06:50:11","slug":"autumn-grand-service-2011","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/online.tenrikyo.org\/?p=835","title":{"rendered":"Autumn Grand Service 2011"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>On October 26, the Autumn Grand Service commemorating Tenrikyo\u2019s day of origin was conducted at Tenrikyo Church Headquarters with the Shinbashira presiding as chief officiant.<\/p>\n

October 26, 1838, marked the arrival of the promised time, when God the Parent became openly revealed in the world for the first time, as well as the beginning of the \u201cfinal teaching.\u201d The Sanctuary precincts were crowded with some 80,000 Yoboku and other followers who returned from both within the country and from overseas to attend.<\/p>\n

Soft rays of sunshine pierced through the clouds and brisk autumn winds blew in the Home of the Parent on that day. The Service began at 8:00 a.m., the hour at which Oyasama was settled as the Shrine of Tsukihi.<\/p>\n

In the Service prayer, the Shinbashira said: \u201cWe Service performers as well as church head ministers and other Yoboku are determined to follow the Divine Model and make constant efforts to carry forward the path of single-hearted salvation, which consists of the Service and the Sazuke that You taught us. We also resolve to deeply ponder the Truth of Origin and widely convey to the world the truth that nature\u2019s workings are God the Parent\u2019s blessings. We are therefore determined to work to our utmost ability in these endeavors with the hope of realizing a world in which all people will come to help one another as brothers and sisters\u2014a world where God and human beings can live in joyful harmony as Parent and children.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/a>\"\"<\/a>This was followed by the joyous performance of the Kagura and the Teodori. Worshipers filled the four worship halls and corridors, singing the songs for the Service with their minds in unison.<\/p>\n

The Shinbashira then delivered the sermon, first touching on the significance of holding the Autumn Grand Service on October 26 every year. He then spoke of how it was the mission of churches to offer examples of the Joyous Life in local communities and went on to explain the ideal daily frame of mind all Yoboku should have.<\/p>\n

Regarding the latter topic, the Shinbashira stressed the importance for all Yoboku to continue to turn to the Three Guiding Principles\u2014namely the \u201cspirit of single-heartedness with God,\u201d \u201cattitude of hinokishin<\/em>\u201d and \u201cunity of mind\u201d\u2014as guidelines on how to conduct themselves in both mind and action in their daily lives.<\/p>\n

Further, he noted that this year, which saw the March 11 disaster in northeastern Japan, \u201cmarks the halfway point between the previous anniversary of Oyasama, namely the 120th Anniversary, and the next one, the 130th Anniversary. He then continued: \u201cI cannot help feeling that God the Parent is strongly urging us to take a fresh and critical look at the present condition of the path, which, through perfecting the Service, is intended to lead to the reconstruction of the world into the Joyous Life. I feel that God is urging us to correct what needs to be corrected in the way we follow the path on the basis of the teachings and in the light of the Divine Model so that we can perform our tasks in a way that accords with and responds to God\u2019s intention. In this sense, then, I believe that we really must focus our mind much more sharply as we perform our tasks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>The Shinbashira then explained that the anniversaries of Oyasama \u201crepresent junctures whereby we set ourselves a goal toward which all of us in the Tenrikyo community work together in unity of mind while conducting anniversary-related activities in the hope that we can show the everliving Oyasama the results of our activities and a new level of our spiritual growth and, thereby, bring joy to Her.\u201d In closing, he said: \u201cI would like to ask all of you Yoboku . . . to return once again to the origin of the teachings . . . and to correct what needs to be corrected in your way of handling the mind and performing your tasks so that you can embark on a new journey with a fresh mind and in high spirits.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

On October 26, the Autumn Grand Service commemorating Tenrikyo\u2019s day of origin was conducted at Tenrikyo Church Headquarters with the Shinbashira presiding as chief officiant. October 26, 1838, marked the arrival of the promised time, when God the Parent became openly revealed in the world for the first time, as\u2026<\/p>\n

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