Some 520 teachers, former teachers, and others concerned with education gathered for the Meeting for Teachers Aspiring to Nurture the Mind, held on August 7 and 8 at the Home of the Parent. Formerly known as Tenrikyo Teachers Meeting, this event, now in its 46th year, was renamed this year to emphasize that this meeting was intended as a learning experience for participants. Another change that occurred was that Tenri University Corporation decided to support this annual event from this year.

On day one, the meeting heard a lecture on how to care for children refusing to attend school and those who are socially withdrawn, as well as on how to provide support for family members involved. The lecture was delivered by Mr. Takeo Muta, director of an education institute in Kanagawa Prefecture. He is a counselor with 30 years of experience working with children refusing to go to school and helping teachers address the needs of such children. His work aims at not only helping children return to school but also supporting their social and emotional growth so as to encourage independence. The lecture was followed by a question and answer session.

In the evening, the participants had group discussions to exchange concerns and opinions. There was also a session in which they were joined by Clinical Psychologist Keiji Mukaide.

Day two saw further group discussions, followed by an address by Rev. Tadakazu Yamada, chairman of the board of directors of Tenri University Corporation, who shared his insights into being educators who have faith. Later, Mr. Kazuki Tani, member of the Teacher's Organization of Skill Sharing (TOSS), delivered a lecture, sharing some of the methods of conducting classes advocated by the TOSS.