Honored by the presence of the former Shinbashira, Tenrikyo Mission Headquarters in South Korea held its monthly service on August 18. Some 5,000 followers assembled at the mission headquarters in high spirits to welcome the former Shinbashira, who was making his first visit to South Korea, and reaffirmed their commitment to the further growth of the path in South Korea.

The weather had been windy since dawn because of a typhoon approaching the Korean Peninsula. However, followers started to gather at the mission headquarters even one hour before the starting time of the service. The congregation quickly filled the 200-tatami-mat worship hall and overflowed into the precincts. Soon the two thousand chairs set up in the precincts were fully occupied.

Shortly before 10:00 A.M., the former Shinbashira arrived in the worship hall and led the congregation in worship to commence the monthly service. Following that was Bishop Yoshimi Maegawa's reading of the prayer in Korean. Reflecting on the course of the path in South Korea during the period following the relocation of the mission headquarters in 2002, he stated in his prayer: "We have been shown wonderful blessings during this year of the 120th Anniversary of Oyasama. Building on the joy we have felt at receiving these blessings, we would like to make further progress in advancing the path in South Korea." The seated service and the Dance with Hand Movements were then joyously performed.

This was followed by an address delivered by the former Shinbashira. After describing his joy at being able to visit South Korea for the first time, he expressed his appreciation for the sincere efforts the congregation had been devoting to the path each day. Emphasizing that all people in the world are brothers and sisters as the equal children of God the Parent, he explained how followers should work for world salvation. He said: "In my understanding, Oyasama sometimes used the expression 'people in the world' to refer to those who have yet to know the intention of God the Parent or Her teachings. In South Korea as well as many other countries, there are people who know the teachings of God the Parent, yet in every country there are also those who do not. This means that you will be engaging in world salvation when you sprinkle the fragrance of the teachings on people in the country where you live. It is thus important to give serious thought to how you can contribute to world salvation now." He went on to say that the important thing for followers is to actively devote themselves to the salvation of others by doing whatever they can. At the end of his address, he stressed the importance of nurturing the next generation of the path and said, "I very much hope that you will take an honest look at where your steps are leading you, place total trust in the teachings of Oyasama, set your sights high, and spiritedly work in single-heartedness with God."

Commemorative photographs were taken after the address, and the former Shinbashira planted a tree to commemorate the occasion.

At 9:00 A.M. the Shinbashira and the other Service performers left the Staff Quarters to offer worship at the Foundress' Sanctuary and the Memorial Hall before proceeding to the Main Sanctuary.

In the Service prayer, the Shinbashira expressed gratitude for the blessings constantly provided by God the Parent. With the anniversary year approaching its final stages, he spoke of how "we should reflect upon our progress and express our gratitude for God's blessings, whereby we have been guided through splendidly. At the same time, we should ponder over our future directions and prepare ourselves for new things to come." He continued: "All of us Yoboku should guard against being swept along by the current of the times and go back to the origin of the teachings once again, so that we can engage in self-reflection and engrave the truth of the teachings ever more deeply in our hearts. Based on this faith of single-heartedness with God, we must resolve to firmly implement the teachings." He concluded his prayer by encouraging all Yoboku to join hands and unite our minds to make new progress in advancing the path to construct the Joyous Life World.

The Kagura Service and the Dance with Hand Movements were then performed joyously while the congregation filling the four worship halls, Corridor, Inner Courtyard, and surrounding precincts single-heartedly joined in singing the Songs for the Service.

Following the Service, Honbu-in Ichiro Yokoyama took the podium. Currently serving as executive director of Tenri Yorozu-sodansho Foundation, he spoke on the history of the foundation, along with the second Shinbashira's advocacy of medical care and spiritual salvation. Rev. Yokoyama stated: "In the United States, where medical technology is advanced, there has been a growing recognition that prayer is effective in curing diseases. A book entitled Prayer Is Good Medicine recently became one of the best-selling books. Sixty-seven years ago, the second Shinbashira said that we ought to provide medical treatment to patients but, at the same time, need to think about the salvation of their minds."

He also went on to explain how Ikoi-no-Ie Hospital currently treats more than 600,000 patients a year and how the Religious Counseling Department, which seeks to bring about patients' spiritual salvation, engages in salvation activities on more than 60,000 occasions every year. Also, its staff members administer the Sazuke to about 90% of the patients staying in the hospital. He continued by saying: "As medical technology advances, doctors and medicine tend to be seen as a primary means for treatment of diseases; however, in our everyday life, we as Yoboku should strive to administer the Sazuke to people suffering from illness."

He then spoke on the Divine Model, saying: "On the day of origin of the Teaching's founding, God the Parent declared world salvation through the mouth of Oyasama. Oyasama started with the salvation of the people at the lowest stratum of society saying, 'First, I desire to save the farmers.' Reflecting on this aspect of the Divine Model, I feel it is important for us to make steady progress by fulfilling our immediate responsibilities in our daily life while always aiming for a great dream with a positive mindset."

He concluded his sermon by saying: "Visiting one's church daily, sprinkling the fragrance of the teachings by distributing pamphlets, and engaging in hinokishin by picking up litter--these are not really difficult things to do. Yet, it takes a lot of effort to continue doing them for many years. As it is often said that perseverance is a key to success, even powerless people can receive a big blessing by continuing their efforts. I hope that we can sow seeds of the Joyous Life for the people around us by finding joy in the things that happen to us, always keeping a bright, positive mind."