Tenrikyo Overseas Department held the 5th Gathering for Successors of the Path in Latin America from February 21 to 22 at Buenos Aires Church in Argentina. The gathering was attended by 26 followers between the ages of 18 and 40 from a total of eight countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Venezuela.

This gathering is designed to provide an opportunity for young followers, who will take the lead on the path in Latin America in the next generation, to become better acquainted with one another, deepen their faith through various training sessions, and renew their self-awareness of being successors of the path. The participants listened to lectures such as those entitled "The Greatness of the Path" and "Experiences with Missionary Work in Argentina," which were given by lecturers with extensive experience in missionary work including Rev. Shin Yang-Ki, head minister of Buenos Aires Church. After each lecture, the participants were divided into five groups and actively engaged in discussions on such topics as "What Can We Do to Construct the Joyous Life World?"

As in the previous gathering, there was time allotted for a "Workshop on the Teachings," where four groups of participants came up with skits based on stories from Anecdotes of Oyasama, the Foundress of Tenrikyo. This workshop sought to get the participants to become more familiar with the Divine Model of Oyasama by having them study anecdotes carefully and reenact them. Imagining what it was like back when Oyasama was physically present, the participants even made some simple clothing and stage props. In front of the lecturers and other participants, they enthusiastically performed the skits portraying early followers' devout conviction of faith indicated in the anecdotes.

The participants also earnestly engaged in practicing the service dance and spreading the name of God the Parent on the streets.

One participant says: "Since Latin America is huge, there are not many chances for me to get to know other followers my age from other countries in this region. At this gathering, however, I have been able to reaffirm my tasks as a Yoboku through exchanging ideas and thoughts with my fellow participants from various countries." Another participant says: "The anecdote my group reenacted as well as other groups’ skits gave me an opportunity to look back on how I had lived. I have come to realize the importance of living each day in accord with the teachings."

March 31, 2009 16:35JST