There are a total of 1,466 students (as of the end of May) engaging in spiritual training in three sessions of Shuyoka: the 779th, 780th, and 781st sessions. Shuyoka was established in April 1941, following the reorganization of the spiritual training programs at Jiba. Since then, over 630,000 people have completed the course. People from all parts of Japan as well as various places in the world return to Jiba to attend Shuyoka. Some of them strive to further their spiritual growth by learning the teachings, while others seek a dependable guide when a major change occurs in their life, such as marriage, new employment, or retirement. There are also those who, returning to the Home of the Parent for the first time, are looking for salvation from illnesses and troubles.
The first English class was held in April 1975, and the first Chinese class was offered in April 1980. Both classes have been held annually since then. The Thai class, offered in May 1988 for the first time, is held once every two years. Korean and Indonesian classes have also been held in the past. This year, the first French class began in June, and the first Spanish class will start in August. Nigel Sanigar from London, England, who is enrolled in this year's English class, came to learn the teachings of the path. He said, "When I first learned the teachings about 'a thing lent, a thing borrowed,' and 'passing away for rebirth,' I was convinced that these were the teachings that I had been searching for all along." He started going to Tenrikyo UK Centre and, in 2004, returned to Jiba for the first time. In January 2006, he returned to the Home of the Parent to attend the Oyasama 120th Anniversary Service. During his stay, he attended the Besseki lectures and fulfilled his desire to become a Yoboku. Mr. Sanigar entered Shuyoka with a resolution to walk the path in single-heartedness with God. He said: "Every time I pray in front of the Kanrodai, I feel serene. I have a strong conviction that the teachings of this path will certainly appeal to anyone in the world. I would like to truly settle the teachings in my mind at Shuyoka, so that I can share this wonderful faith with as many people as possible."
Suchart Wongboonyakul, a follower from Bangkok, Thailand, is a class monitor for this year's Thai class. Because of his seniority at age 67 and his gregarious personality, his classmates affectionately call him "Grandpa." He always has a smile on his face and does hinokishin with enthusiasm. In December 2003, Mr. Wongboonyakul underwent surgery for a cataract in his left eye. However, the optical nerve in his left eye did not heal well, resulting in a temporary loss of sight. Since then, he has gone through three additional surgeries and regained some vision in his left eye. He said: "The vision in my left eye is still clouded, but I have normal vision in my right eye. For the most part, I have no problem seeing things in my daily life. I am grateful for the fact that I can see things normally." He learned about the teachings of the path when one of his friends in the neighborhood sprinkled the fragrance of the teachings on him. In May 2005, he returned to Jiba for the first time. He said: "There are so many things I don't know about this path. That's why I feel so eager to learn the teachings every day." These Shuyoka students traveled long distances to attend the course. Although the languages they speak and the expectations they brought with them to Shuyoka may have varied, they now have something in common: all of them have a strong desire to learn and implement the teachings and are focused on making spiritual growth. |
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