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(Summary)

As I get older, it seems that the time goes by faster and faster. I’d like to sincerely thank you everyone for all your support this year.

The second year of the precious pre-anniversary activity period is about to come to the end. Next year will be the final year. Let us grow spiritually to become Yoboku who can achieve the tasks by aligning our minds with the mind of Oyasama.

Next year Shidokai* Besseki Group Pilgrimage to jiba will be held. The dates are as follows. May 25 and November 30. Although there are goals set individually and by each church, I would like you to add this Shidokai Besseki Group Pilgrimage as one of the goals for next year and bring back as many people as possible to Jiba.

By the way, there are motion detector lights installed everywhere these days. There is one mounted in the hallway of my room here at the grand church. When someone walks by, it detects the motion and it turns on the light.

I think it is important to point our sensors toward God the Parent and Oyasama.

In his address given in October, the Shinbashira said the following:

“In my New Year’s Address, I said, ‘The Ofudesaki says that natural disasters are expressions of God the Parent’s regret and anger. I believe that these expressions are intended to provide stern training and instruction for those of us who follow the path but who are slow in growing spiritually. I believe we should ponder over what God the Parent is trying to tell us and correct what needs to be corrected so as to move forward.’”

Using various ways and methods to show each of us the key points to grow spiritually, God the Parent, who is our parent, gives us the guidance and care as knots.

Let us detect the parental love of God the Parent and Oyasama, who are always ahead of us, by using our minds’ sensor, and change the orientation of our minds accordingly. If necessary, we may need to replace our mind wholly. I believe such efforts are needed.

Also, in his sermon given at the autumn grand service, Rev. Yoichiro Miyamori said, “Aren’t we missing any opportunities?”

God the Parent is providing us with great opportunities. Using soccer as an example, it’s like God is giving us a wonderful assist. So we cannot miss the scoring opportunity. In order not to miss the opportunity, let us turn on the sensor in our minds toward God the Parent and Oyasama.

In the coming year, let us turn on the sensor and encourage one another, and advance the path of salvation work and growing spiritually.

Lastly, in the Divine Directions, we read,

“Hard times help to bring forth fruits. There is no fruit in easy times. This I tell you.”
(December 6, 1899) *Partially trial translation

I ask for your continued support in the new year.

*Shidokai: Association of grand churches who branched off from Kawaramachi Grand Church.

(Summary)

What has left the strongest impression on my mind this year is a moment in time at the “Gathering to remember the Third Shinbashira.”

This was the year of the Third Shinbashira’s10-year Memorial, so we had the gathering in his honor. At this time, I would like to reflect on the words of the Third Shinbashira that left the strongest impression on me to wrap up this year and use it to encourage me in the coming year.

The talk comes from his address at the Boys and Girls Association leaders’ first meeting of the year on January 27, 1990.

“When I hear the wording that we are being kept alive, and I give thought to this, I get a strange feeling that I can’t quite put into words. If I were asked then, whether I don’t use this phrase, I do say it sometimes. Although I use this from time to time, I do have somewhat of a bad aftertaste in my mind sometimes. If I should explain why that is, it is because I feel a somewhat passive way of thinking. If I should be so bold as to say, it is because it feels like one is leaving things up to others, and I somehow don’t feel a personal sense of responsibility, and that is why I get a bad aftertaste when I use the words. . . . .When I think about it in this way, the expression, “We are being kept alive,” seems a little bit like a robot. So, I thought that we need to take one step forward and start by rejoicing in being kept alive, then rejoice in being allowed to live, savor the joy of living, and in such a way we must gradually teach this.”

This is a partial quote, but this is what the Third Shinbashira said.

The part of the address that moved me especially was the word “passive.” I felt this deep in my heart. The reason why is because I felt like these words overlapped with my own feelings.

I was the resident advisor at the Tenri High School Boys Dormitory at that time. I was serving my role reluctantly and half-heartedly because I was asked by the grand church head minister.

When I reflect on it, as I was born and raised at the grand church, the words “a passive way of thinking” in the address of the Third Shinbashira, I felt like I grew up with this same way of thinking.

When I was in sixth grade, I had to write an essay on “my future dreams.” I wrote, “When I become an adult, I will be a Seinen (a live-in staff member of the grand church).” It was not really a dream, but even as a child, I knew that my future was already decided. And sure enough, just as I had known since I was a child, I completed junior high school, I attended high school and college in Tenri. But right before I was to become a Seinen and return to the grand church, I became the resident advisor at the Boys Dormitory.

I was in the middle of the RA life. One day, when I was making my rounds in the students’ rooms during their free study time, I came across a student who was reading a manga comic book. That student was in his senior year and admissions tests were fast approaching.

I said to him, “It’s alright if you’re reading comics, but try your best at your studies. You want to go to college, right?” He responded, “Well, if I don’t get into college, I don’t get in. I can always return to my church or work at the Church Headquarters.” I thought to myself, “Ah, this student is just like me.” Through this student, I was shown myself.

Through my experience as the RA, I had many days like this. The Shinbashira’s words like, “passive way of thinking” and “not having a personal sense of responsibility” started to have a deep effect on me.

So, what should I do about it? The Shinbashira said that as long as you being kept alive, you can take a step forward and feel gratitude in living. I tried to take the Shinbashira’s words and apply them to myself.

When you simply think of the phrase "being kept alive" on its own, this can feel somewhat passive in attitude or somewhat lacking in initiative. On the other hand, "being allowed to live" conveys a sense of personal initiative, in an active and proactive stance. After some reflection, I have come to think that moving from merely “being kept alive” to “being allowed to live” suggests that we should not remain passively receptive to what is given to us. Instead, we should think for ourselves and take action of our own accord.

From that point on, even when I was doing the rounds, instead of just telling them to go study, I started engaging in small talk. During the Yoboku Course lessons held in high school, rather than just following the assigned texts, I made an effort to research additional material, add my own insights, and share my personal experiences. On days off, I would reach out to other RAs, take the students from Tenri to Nara Park, and engage in activities like spreading the name of God, and giving roadside speeches.

In this way, the address by the Third Shinbashira became one turning point for me, and I gradually began to find joy in my life as an RA. On one occasion, a third-year student nearing graduation said to me, “Yokoyama-san, I hated you up until halfway through my second year.” When I heard that, I responded, “Well, of course! I didn’t even want to be an RA in the first place, and I wasn’t motivated at all.”

Although I was told something like that at the time, I now feel genuinely happy that they could come to say something like that to me.

My life as an RA of the Boys Dormitory, which at first began reluctantly and half-heartedly, had become a good experience for me when I completed my three-year term as an RA. I think I came to believe that this was because of the words of the Third Shinbashira. Guided by these words, I was able to finish my three years at the Boys Dormitory with a sense of fulfillment.

Well, I think one of the obstacles or excuses when trying to engage in the pre-anniversary activities is age. I am getting older. I tend to say things like, "I'm getting old and I'm not young anymore," or "Leave it to the young people.”

Looking back on my younger days, I certainly don't have the enthusiasm I had back then, and in fact, sometimes I find it hard to keep up. At such times, I would get help from young and energetic people.

Young people have enthusiasm and energy that I do not have, and I feel that they give me the strength to work with them.

In the Ofudesaki, we read:

You are thinking that you are already near fifty.
Yet in the eyes of God you have many years ahead of you.
Ofudesaki I:63

In the coming year, with the words of the Shinbashira and the Third Shinbashira in mind, and with the help of the young people’s energy, I would like to make the final year of the “three years, one thousand days” the year to get in action and be allowed to live by thinking in my own way.

(Summary)

Please allow me to give a brief message.

I will refer to the words of the Shinbashira that he delivered at the Autumn Grand Service at Church Headquarters in October.

“As we entered the second half of the pre-anniversary period, we experienced some weather-related damage. Although earthquakes and heavy rains are two different phenomena, the fact remains that stern instruction was given twice through occurrences in the same region. I felt that the efforts we had been making toward the upcoming anniversary were not really sufficient in terms of responding to the intention of our Parent.”

I interpret his words, in terms of helping others be saved both physically and mentally, as there is more that we can accomplish.

We have about one year and one month remaining of the “three years, one thousand days” period, and building on top of our efforts so far, I hope we find the strength and motivation to try a little harder, do a little more.

On October 27th, at the Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association Convention, Rev. Daisuke Nakayama, the President of the Young Men’s Association, stated in his address, “the important aspect of purifying our minds each day.” I had two takeaways from his address.

The first one is to “Wait.”

When we have a lot of things going on and when we don’t wait, unintentionally, our minds may become irritated. We may want to object or argue, but if we wait a moment, we may see things from the other person’s point of view and start to grasp another perspective. For that reason, we wait. If we wait, we won’t get covered in mental dust.

In our daily lives, when are those times that we become angry or upset? It is when “things don’t go the way that we want them to go.” This world is not just having things go your way, but rather, how it goes the way God intends. In order to clear out the thinking that everything is all about you, I believe “Waiting” is a most effective way to do so.

The second one is to “point the arrow towards your own mind.”

The story was about writing down the words and actions of people you don’t like or can’t stand, and then writing down the mindset that could be behind them. Upon doing this, you can point the arrow towards your own mind and think, “Maybe this is similar to me.” Then you will notice a lot of dust of the mind in yourself that you had not noticed before.

During the final year of the pre-anniversary activity period, I believe that we can attain a stronger determination and more composure by dusting off and purifying our minds.

Let us not miss the chance to spread the teachings and to help others be saved. I hope that the next year to be filled with even more uplifting stories.

Let us maintain joy and brightness in our minds.

(Summary)

There are only about 40 days remaining in the second year of the “three years, one thousand days” effort toward the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama.

Last month, Grand Church Counselor, Rev. Yoichiro Miyamori joined us for the autumn grand service at our grand church. From 5:00 pm for one hour, he led a session to ensure the proper performance of the service.

The following day in his sermon at the autumn grand service, Rev. Miyamori questioned, “Are we missing our opportunities?”

He said, “I am sure that God must be giving us various opportunities in our everyday lives. I’d like you to think very carefully whether you might be missing them.”

I would like to firmly take the word “opportunity” to heart and make an effort to not miss them during this seasonable time.

Since October 26, 1838, Oyasama conveyed the intention of God the Parent, “to save all humankind throughout the world.” She taught us through spoken words, writing, and again as the Parent of the Divine Model.

What Oyasama consistently hastened from beginning to end was, the completion of the service.

In the Ofudesaki, we are taught:

If only the service is done without error,
the Gift of Heaven, also, will be given without fail.
(Ofudesaki X:34)

We perform the service in the morning and evening. We also perform prayer service, which can be done at any time during the day or night.

As important tools for the service that Oyasama taught us, there are musical instruments.

Speaking of the musical instruments, we can easily imagine nine instruments.

With regard to the musical instruments, we are taught in Ofudesaki as following.

Do not wonder what this is about.
I need musical instruments for the Service quickly.
(Ofudesaki XIV: 85)

What do you think about this Service?
Prepare for the performers including the musical instruments.
(Ofudesaki XV: 52)

Now a request. What do you think I request?
Quickly assemble the musical instruments and begin practice.
(Ofudesaki XV: 72)

Quickly begin to bring out the musical instruments at least.
I am hastening solely for the Service.
(Ofudesaki XV: 90)

There are male instruments, which are fue (flute), chanpon (cymbals), hyoshigi (wooden clappers), taiko (large drum), surigane (small gong), and kotsuzumi (hand drum), and women’s instruments, which are koto (zither), shamisen and kokyu.

When we perform the morning and evening services at our church, I believe there is a tempo that is just right.

Further, during the monthly service, when the hand movements of the service, singing and the nine instruments of the seated service as well as the first and the second half are performed with a good rhythm, it is wonderful and feels very uplifting. I believe that in order to perform such service, it is crucial that we unite our minds.

Furthermore, to perform the service in harmony, I believe we need to have a mind to “adjust yourself to the others.” The service would not be uplifting if we “expect others to adjust to you.”

There are two types of instruments: the instruments that play the rhythm and the instruments that play a melody. Needless to say, it is important that we perform with our rhythms, tunes, and minds harmonized.

In the Anecdotes of Oyasama, there is this story:

In his July monthly service invocation, our grand church head minister said, “This past June 24th, the third Shinbashira Zenye Nakayama’s 10-Year Memorial Service was held at Church Headquarters. Rev. Yoichiro Miyamori spoke to the many people who had returned and said, ‘At this time when we are making strides toward the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama during the three years, one thousand days period, let us remember once again the teachings taught to us by the former Shinbashira, firmly align our minds with the present Shinbashira, and proceed with our pre-anniversary activities firmly and with certainty.’ I pledge my firm resolve to repay the many blessings we have received.”

We are taught that the activity period leading up to an Anniversary of Oyasama are a seasonable time for salvation work, a seasonable time for spiritual maturity.

Let us advance firmly in this seasonable time so that we may be able to bring joy and peace of mind to Oyasama.

If only the Service is done without error,
the Gift of Heaven, also, will be given without fail.
(Ofudesaki X:34)

Thank you for your kind attention.

(Summary)

There are three things I would like to talk today.

The first is, “Don’t miss your opportunity.”

Are we missing our opportunities? I am sure that God must be giving us various opportunities in our everyday lives. I’d like you to think very carefully whether you might be missing them.

In our effort to spread our teachings and do salvation work, there must be many little opportunities. Are we missing them? I’d like us to be careful about that.

People often say that they can’t convince others to follow the teachings, or that you invited someone but they don’t come. But in actuality, you may be missing the chances that you are being given.

Time passes quickly. As we get older, it seems like the day goes by in the blink of an eye. This is called Janay’s Law.

Two years ago, the Shinbashira issued Instruction Four and we started the “three years, one thousand days” activity period toward the 140th Anniversary of Oyasama. Two years have already gone by. To me, it flew by in a flash.

When we received the Shinbashira’s Instuction Four two years ago, each church pledged to come up with their own goals by themselves, and we pledged that each individual would make our own goal and work diligently toward it every day. So, this anniversary is not one in which the Church Headquarters tells us, “This is what we are doing,” or “Let all of us do this together.” Each of us is making our own decisive resolve and each of us is putting it into action. This is our 140th Anniversary of Oyasama.

The reason for this is because there are these words in the Divine Directions, given on January 24, 1889:

Those who always rely on their parent’s care forever are hopeless. As children grow up, we cannot let go of their hands until the age of three. Similarly, in the path of single-heartedness with God, it will not do if you have to keep consulting forever and forever. A full-fledged adult in a distant place, it is the same truth as a three-year-old. To whatever kind of person, for single-hearted salvation, single-mindedness with the Sazuke, it has been given step by step. Osashizu, January 24, 1889 (Trial translation for this script)

What does this mean? It means that one should not be forever dependent on their parents. During the process of a child‘s growth, especially until about the age of three, parents must take good care of them because otherwise, there is no knowing what might happen. Parents apply much effort saying, “You must not go that way,” or “You must do it this way.”

However, as children grow up and become adults, if they continue to ask, “What should I do next?” or “How should I do this?” and “Mom, Dad, please teach me,” it would worry the parents. They must learn to take care of themselves. Only when this happens can parents feel at ease.

It is said that with this faith, it is the same. Years have gone by, and it has been over 130 years since Oyasama withdrew from Her physical life. As the years pass and generations come and go, it is no longer acceptable to keep asking, “What should I do? Please tell me.” One must learn to do things independently. If not, when engaging in missionary and salvation work, it would not be so easy to be heard. Even at that, aren’t we full-fledged Yoboku? It is the same as being three years old. We must not keep asking questions indefinitely. The truth of the Sazuke is given to anyone who is a Yoboku. We must reflect on the desire of the Parent, and what the Parent hopes for. I believe this is what it means.

It is only when one can make their own decisions and act independently that they can be considered a full-fledged Yoboku. I believe this state is what is referred to as spiritual maturity. While it is good to follow instructions, I feel that being able to act without being told is what will allow others to recognize and say, “that one has spiritually grown.”

When Instruction Four was announced, Church Headquarters conducted mission visits to the directly supervised churches. This was followed by coordinated “All Church Mission Visit.” The purpose of these mission visits was to encourage every member and every Yoboku, to read the Instruction, and make their own spiritual resolutions. The guidance did not come directly from Jiba but was meant to prompt individual decisions. The reason for this approach is that everyone’s roles, positions, ages, and environments differ, so not everyone can do the same thing.

Older individuals may not be able to get in action as energetically as younger people, while younger people might lack the experience that older people have. Each person’s role, position, and even differences between men and women, as well as their individual strengths, vary. Therefore, it is essential for each person to make their own decisions and put them into action. This self-determined approach is what truly matters.

Two years have passed and the Anniversary of Oyasama is now a year and a few months away. The Shinbashira teaches us that the day of the Anniversary is not the only day we observe, but rather the “three years, one thousand days” path that we follow is the actual performance. How you carry out yourselves every day is important.

Let’s look back on the last two years. It may be difficult to remember what resolution you may have made at the start, but please reflect on whether you were able to build on your resolution little by little.

Even if it is a little at time, you are still spiritually growing. I believe that is fine to grow even just a little. You may grow spiritually if you can look back on yourself and say, “Aw, look at how I have changed here.”

In the Ofudesaki, the phrase “day by day” is used 62 times. I think that is a lot. A few examples,

Day after day, the concern of the Parent
is only about the means to save you.
Ofudesaki XIV:35

Day by day, your innermost heart will be purified and understanding
will come. You will come to see the truth as you mature.
Ofudesaki VI:15

Day by day, hasten to begin the Service.
You will escape any danger whatever.
Ofudesaki X:19

We receive the daily workings of God the Parent. To be responsive to this, it is important for us to do something small each day. We are now on the second point.

The second point is “every day is important.”

In each day, we are able to see many opportunities.

In the Divine Directions, we are taught:

If you meet someone to whom the fragrance must be spread, tell it to him even on a street corner. This will be your work from now on.
Osashizu, April 7, 1907

As you walk down the street, if you run into someone, think to yourself, “Oh! Let me call upon this person!” and just call out to them. It will not do to think, “Maybe tomorrow.” This is the season to do this now. We are being told to not let this chance go by.

Because you are just meeting on the street, it does not have to be that big of a deal. You can say, “Would you join me at church next time?” or “What do you think about returning to Jiba with me?” Some words like that. I am not saying to do something massive. It is totally fine just to call out to someone on the street. Every day is the actual performance.

Let us resolve our hearts to follow the path of Divine Model, showing Oyasama the results of our spiritual growth. This is spiritual maturity. I would like for all of us to follow this path with each other, in the remaining year and a few months.

Last year, at the Autumn Grand Service, the Shinbashira stated:

“Oyasama patiently conveyed through spoken or written words and walked on the path Herself in accord with the intention of God the Parent without ever giving up and demonstrated the Divine Model to help humans live the Joyous Life.”

I believe the painstaking efforts Oyasama made were something unimaginable for us. It was only Oyasama who knew God the Parent’s desires, and She wanted to somehow teach us God’s desires. But how do you make humans understand God’s desires and lead the Joyous Life? This is what Oyasama spent Her enormous efforts on. Now, there must be a few things Oyasama wanted us to understand in order to guide us towards the Joyous Life.

The first point was the fact that God the Parent exists. That is why She said, “I am God of Origin, God in Truth,” when She became the Shrine of Tsukihi in the very beginning to teach us the presence of God, I believe. The first thing Oyasama wanted us to understand was the existence of God of Origin, God in Truth.

The second point She wanted us to understand was that this God of Origin, God in Truth, is the God who has been providing us with the boundless blessings ever since this world was a muddy ocean until today.

Thirdly, She wanted us to understand that God the Parent’s desire was to see us lead the Joyous Life. That is why the first words spoken through Her on October 26, 1838 was, “I am God of Origin, God in Truth. There is causality in this Residence. At this time I have descended here to save all humankind. I wish to receive Miki as the Shrine of God.” The effort Oyasama made, to have everyone understand the meaning of the first words of God, is the path of the Divine Model.

How can people understand the existence of God the Parent? What can She do for everyone to lead the life in a way God the Parent desires? What can She do to guide everyone to work to change the world the way God the Parent desires? To accomplish that, I think, with the determination to convey and help people understand the divine intention of God the Parent, Oyasama went through the hardships of falling into the depth of poverty, strong oppositions by the family and relatives and the village neighbors, and severe interference by the authorities.

The path of the Divine Model of Oyasama is to go through whatever challenges there may be to convey and help people understand the existence of God the Parent, God’s blessings, and the divine intention. This is the path we are to go through.

In the Divine Directions given on December 23, 1897, we are taught:

Think of Oyasama. . . Look at the life Oyasama led while physically alive—neither did She enjoy any pleasure nor receive any deserved result. While you are working, if there is sincerity in each of your minds, you will never go astray from the path. This much said, surely you understand. Henceforth, if you work, you will be able to see the result of your efforts. You must bear this in mind.

This Divine Direction teaches us to think of Oyasama, while going through 50 years of the Divine Model, who had no truth of so-called pleasure during Her lifetime and who withdrew without enjoying such truth. To the degree that you work, you will, to that degree, see the truth. You will see the blessings.

The Spiritual Development Course at the Church Headquarters is celebrating its 1000th term this year. Those who have enrolled in this October are exactly the 1,000th term. The current Spiritual Development Course started in 1941, and many students have entered the program since then. I have the opportunity to talk with instructors when they finish their three months of service. I tell them, “Thank you for your hard work during the past three months.” Then I ask, “How have your three months been?” Most instructors say, “It was a great learning experience.”

Most instructors who come to teach the Course are local church head ministers, and they are the lecturers. They are in the position to teach. However, when I asked them how the program was after three months, they said, “It was a learning experience.” That is to say “I learned something, and I was able to deepen my understanding.” In other words, they were able to deepen their understanding of the teachings by exerting efforts to help students understand.

Being able to deepen the understanding means that you have grown spiritually a little more than before. The effort to trying to convey and help them understand, and work diligently to somehow assist them attain understanding. Through these efforts, you will be able to grow spiritually.

Toward the Anniversary of Oyasama, by following the Divine Model, we strive to show Oyasama our state of spiritual growth. To grow spiritually, we can strive to convey and help them understand. By doing so, we can grow spiritually. This is the important point.

It does not matter if it is just a few words. The way you try to help someone understand; the way you try to convince him/her return to Jiba; the way you try to help this person learn about Oyasama; in your own words and in your own way, making such effort is to attain spiritual growth.

Please be thorough in this regard for the remaining one year and few months.

To grow spiritually, it is also important to simply do hinokishin. It is also important to return to Jiba alone. But spiritual growth is to make an effort to convey. It is about making effort to help people understand. The most important part of spiritual growth is to bring people back to Jiba.

In the Divine Directions, we are taught:

If you set about spiritedly, God will become spirited. If God becomes spirited, God will make the entire world spirited.
Osashizu: May 30, 1907

Oyasama anniversary is a very special occasion. Let us strive together for the remaining year and few months in good spirits.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.