Tenri Youth Hall 10th Anniversary Commemorative Gathering
On 2nd December, under refreshing summer weather in Brisbane, the Tenri Youth Hall 10th Anniversary Commemorative Gathering was splendidly held at the vestibule and dining hall of the Tenri Youth Hall. The gathering was attended by 48 people including not only Rev. Zensuke Nakata, the former chairperson of the Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association together with his 16 committee members who had planned and promoted the “Australia Mission” including the construction of the Tenri Youth Hall ten years ago, but also many local followers including those from Melbourne and Sydney.
The Tenri Youth Hall was constructed ten years ago as part of the commemorative projects for the 80th Anniversary of Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association within the precinct of the Oceania Centre, and its completion ceremony was splendidly conducted on 8th July 1998 with the honourable presence of the Shinbashira and Mrs. Harue Nakayama, where about 200 followers assembled from different places within the diocese. Since then for the past ten years, the Youth Hall has been greatly utilised not only as a base of activities for different Tenrikyo groups including the Young Men’s Association Australia Study Tour Group, but also as a place of accommodation and mutual friendship for followers in the diocese as well as a venue for the Centre’s educational and cultural activities. In this way, the Youth Hall has become an indispensable place in order for the teachings of the Joyous Life to become widespread into the communities in Australia.
On the morning of 2nd December, arriving at the Centre and worshipping, Rev. Nakata and his party stepped into the Youth Hall for the very first time in ten years, which made them feel very happy and moved. Then they saw around in every corner within the building, as if they remembered the days ten years ago. After a short break, they went out to engage in hinokishin of laying turf in the precinct of the Centre with pleasant sweat. After lunch, they energetically moved about to prepare for the gathering party by setting up the venue or going shopping.
At the gathering that started from 6 p.m. about 30 local followers assembled, including church and fellowship heads as well as the Centre’s staff members who deeply got involved with the activities of the Young Men’s Association ten years ago. They shared the joy of reunion with the committee members after ten years. The gathering started with the opening greetings by Rev. Adachi, TOC head, and then followed by the address of Rev. Nakata who said, “It is a great pleasure to ‘have returned’ to the Centre. At the same time, I have realised that the teachings of Oyasama have firmly taken root in this country step by step”, and then expressed his hope that the Oceania Centre including the Tenri Youth Hall will enrich its substance and the path in the region will steadily prosper. Then all of the participants, with laughter and admiration, enjoyed watching the video entitled “Ten Years of the Tenri Youth Hall” made by the TOC staff. After a toast, they all had a very good and significant time by fully enjoying various kinds of dishes including Aussie BBQ prepared by the Centre as well as conversation with each other and entertainments such as the TOC Fife & Drum Band performance.
On the following morning, after the morning service and breakfast, the group members planted a memorial young tree of Jacaranda, pledging to each other to come to Australia in another 10 years. Then they left the Centre around 10:30 a.m. with strong reluctance.
Marking an end of ten years since its construction and completing the 10th Anniversary Commemorative Gathering this time, the Tenri Youth Hall has just entered a new stage. On this occasion, all of us, Yoboku and followers in this diocese, would like to renew our resolve in unity of mind to make further efforts to utilise the Youth Hall more effectively ‘as a place for people to gather, for the fragrance of the teachings to be sprinkled, and for spiritual growth to be made’.
