On May 5, the Shinbashira, Zenji Nakayama, visited affected areas in Fukushima and Ibaraki prefectures to give encouragement to survivors of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in addition to those who were participating in relief efforts. This was his third visit to areas affected by the March 11 disaster. He visited Ibaraki Diocese Office in Mito City and Iwakidaira Grand Church in Iwaki City, Fukushima Prefecture to meet and speak with followers. He also met and gave words of encouragement to Disaster Relief Hinokishin Corps (DRHC) members presently active in Fukushima and Ibaraki prefectures. Read the rest of this entry »

Posting links to three Doyusha videos. (Sorry, videos only in Japanese. Translation of the narration provided below.)

• Disaster Relief in Inawashiro-machi: Disaster Relief Hinokishin Corps (DRHC) members belonging to Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association Headquarters were dispatched to Inawashiro-machi, Fukushima Prefecture, between April 13 and 23. They cooperated with members of Fukushima Diocese DRHC to serve pork soup at evacuation shelters throughout Fukushima.

• Disaster Relief in Higashimatsushima City: Tenrikyo Disaster Relief Headquarters has had a camp set up in an athletic park in Higashimatsushima City, Miyagi Prefecture since April 10. Higashimatsushima City was greatly impacted by the tsunami; sludge had surged everywhere. DRHC members from Hiroshima and Tottori dioceses recently helped clear the sludge. As of May 2, teams from 14 dioceses have participated in recovery efforts in urban districts, schools, and public facilities throughout Higashimatsushima City.

• Recreational Activites Provided at Rikuzentakata City: The Psychological Care Office of Tenrikyo Disaster Relief Headquarters dispatched staff to Iwate and Miyagi prefectures between April 22 and 24 to provide recreational activities at evacuation shelters. This was part of a plan to provide psychological support to victims displaced by the March 11 disaster. Members of Tenrikyo Boys and Girls Association Headquarters and the Tenrikyo Students Advisory Committee were joined by certified clinical psychologists and professional counselors. The team visited 14 sites, including evacuation shelters and child care centers, with the hope of providing children with a moment of fun through various recreational activities.

(By TR Translation Staff)

Related articles:

• 災救隊 福島拠点に2000人分炊き出し(4月27日記)
• 被災地の子供に明るさを 宮城・岩手へ“合同チーム”派遣(4月22-24日)

"Kaishow" at Hawaii Dendocho picking up donated candies to be given to children.

A closer look at at the photos of candy & snack donators.

A Tenrikyo follower in Hawaii, Tomohito “Kaishow” Kaisho, had decided that he wanted to help those in Sendai by going there! Friends from the Stamina Ramen shop of Tenri-shi planned to go to Sendai and cook and serve 2,000 bowls of Stamina Ramen for the people in Sendai.  As he explained, “We’ll just drive around and when we see people, we’ll stop, play music, and cook ramen.” He will be departing tomorrow.

A few weeks ago, a message circulated around the Tenrikyo Hawaii community to bring donated American or Hawaiian candies or snacks with a photo and message to brighten the lives of the children in the disaster-affected areas. As a result, he has collected dozens of candies and snacks to bring.

Tenrikyo New York Center (2006)

This is Part 4 of a 5-part series on in interview with the Arakitoryo newsletter and America’s Pioneer of Tenrikyo, Keigo Morishita.  Please check back on Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 if you missed them.  On this part, Keigo Morishita explains on his missionary work in New York and the construction of the New York Center’s new Shinden (sanctuary).
Read the rest of this entry »

Posting links to three recent Doyusha videos (sorry, videos only in Japanese)

• Hinokishin Day 2011. The slogan for this year’s Hinokishin Day was “Overflowing with gratitude and radiating with joy: Let’s do hinokishin.” Roughly 4,500 participants in Tenri—including Church Headquarters staff members and students of Shuyoka and Tenri schools—engaged in hinokishin activities at 53 sites throughout Tenri City.
• Roughly 50,000 members of the Tenrikyo Women’s Association participated in the 93rd Women’s Association Convention on April 19. The main event was held inside in the worship halls due to rain. Members heard addresses from President Harue Nakayama and her husband Zenji Nakayama, the Shinbashira.

• The Disaster Relief Hinokishin Corps received a request from a volunteer center in Kensennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture. Members from four dioceses were dispatched to help with disaster relief efforts on April 18. Corps members helped remove mud and debris from local homes.

*Updated to add fourth video:

• Boys and Girls Association staff members were dispatched to Iwate and Yamagata prefectures between April 12 and 14 to entertain children in evacuation centers. Staff from Kanagawa and Yamagata dioceses also participated. Activities included making balloon animals and presenting picture-story shows.

Related articles (Japanese only):

• 婦人会第93回総会 開催(4月19日)
• 災救隊 宮城・気仙沼へ相次ぎ出動(4月27日記)
• 山形・岩手の避難所でレクリエーション活動(4月12-14日)

This is Part 3 of a 5-part series on in interview with the Arakitoryo newsletter and America’s Pioneer of Tenrikyo, Keigo Morishita.  Please check back on Part 1 and Part 2 if you missed them.  On this part, Keigo Morishita explains on his first move to the United States and the establishment of Brotherhood Church.
Read the rest of this entry »

Disaster Relief Hinokishin Corps (DRHC) of Oyasato Diocese will be cooking at evacuation centers in Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures between April 13 and 22.

Prior to this on April 11, a base of operations was opened in a community center in Inawashiro-machi. Oyasato Diocese DRHC cooperated with Fukushima Diocese members to provide food.

Information source: 災救隊 福島・猪苗代拠点に炊き出し(4月18日記)

According to statistics from Church Headquarters, a grand total of 3,053 Disaster Relief Hinokishin Corps (DRHC) members took part in hinokishin efforts in the month since the March 11 Tohoku Earthquake.

Read the rest of this entry »

Foundress’ (Oyasama’s) Sanctuary

Oyasama‘s 213th birthday was celebrated at Tenrikyo Church Headquarters today. Happy Birthday, Oyasama!

Did you know… that the first time Oyasama’s birthday was officially celebrated was on April 18, 1934? In addition to holding the Kagura Service, celebrations currently include a chorus performance in front of the Foundress’ Sanctuary.

We at Tenrikyo Resource would also like to use this occasion to announce that the The Life of Oyasama, Oyasama’s official biography, is now online on the TR wiki.

Also, just to let everyone know, the wiki is a work in progress. We would like to encourage anyone who is willing to write pages or proofread for the wiki to go ahead and create an account.

4/21/2011 Update: The Doyusha website has posted a video relating to this year’s Oyasama Birth Celebration Service. Although the video is only in Japanese, it may be noteworthy to mention that there is a shot of followers holding banners that read “仙台” (Sendai), which suggest they are pilgrims belonging to the grand church of the same name.

4/23/2011 Update: Tenrikyo Online posted an article “68,000 Assemble to Celebrate Oyasama’s 213th Birthday.” This article describes this annual event at the Main Sanctuary.  A woman, amongst others from Miyagi Prefecture and other areas affected by the disaster that attended this event,  said: “Although my family was unharmed, many people lost their lives in an instant. Ever since that day, I have contemplated over and over on how we are to face this great knot. I came wanting to hear what Oyasama might have to say.”

We are continuing our series on Keigo Morishita’s interview from issue 240th of Arakitoryo!  Please read and enjoy!

Arakitoryo: Please describe the circumstances that led to you to discover the path.

Morishita: When I was running the bar in Kobe, I was married to my first wife. She was the daughter of a woman who owned a nearby coffee shop. Business went well and we were blessed with two children. I was also rolling in the dough. However, our relationship was starting to sour. Read the rest of this entry »