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Tenrikyo Women's Association was officially founded on January 28, 1910, but traces its origin to around 1895 or 1896, when Tamae Nakayama, the wife of the first Shinbashira, and other women started meeting once a month to study and discuss the teachings and practice the service dance together. Members of this association consider that their mission is to serve as the "foundation of the path" in a unity of mind by following the Divine Model of Oyasama. In order to fulfill this mission, the association encourages its members to talk things over with one another and help one another, join together in a unity of mind to deepen their faith and put the teachings into practice, convey the teachings to others and fulfill the tasks of "bearing and raising" the successors to the path. Women's Association President Masa Nakayama* tells the members: Let us . . . [make] a sincere effort, both to attain spiritual growth for ourselves and to convey Oyasama's teachings to others so they, too, may grow spiritually. Bearing in mind that our goal is to provide our communities with models of the Joyous Life where we help one another in a unity of mind, let us take advantage of our special attributes as women, applying these day after day in the cause of salvation. . . .The Women's Association prides itself on being the foundation of the path. We must, therefore, be prepared to live each day, sunny days and gloomy days alike, working to our utmost to serve this path of single-hearted salvation in joyousness, in the highest of spirits, and in single-heartedness with God (M. Nakayama 1997, 16, 18). This association holds its annual convention at Church Headquarters on April 19, the day after Oyasama's birthday. All members are encouraged to attend this convention, which affords an opportunity to listen to addresses by the Shinbashira and their president. The association also organizes many and varied chapter and regional activities for the members. The association's headquarters is managed by the Committee appointed by the president. The members of the Committee work in the following sections: Management Section, General Affairs Section, Accounting Section, Training Section, Young Women's Section, Publishing Section, and Overseas Mission Section.
Also worth noting here is Tenri Day Care Center, which is run by the Women's Association. This day care center looks after children while their parents attend Shuyoka, the Head Minister Qualification Course, the Besseki lectures, and other such courses offered in the Home of the Parent. In addition to enabling the parents to attend their classes and lectures without having to worry about their children, this day care center aims at conveying the joy of faith to the children through activities specially designed for them.
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