Joyous Life Lecture 2011

The Joyous Life Lecture for 2011 was conducted at six venues in the Oceania diocese from 9th to 20th March, inviting Rev. Louise Sasaki, wife of the head of Tenrikyo Fellowship of Joy in New Jersey, USA. The Lecture was attended by a total of 114 people including 53 non-Tenrikyo followers, starting on 9th March from Auckland, New Zealand, followed by Canberra, Perth, Melbourne, Lennox Head and Brisbane.

The Lecture in Auckland was held for the first time in two years at the Beautiful New Zealand Fellowship on 9th March, which was attended by 15 people including Yoboku and followers as well as non-Tenrikyo followers who listened attentively to the lecture. It was especially prominent this time, again, that some Japanese ladies, who had participated in the “Lecture for Mothers” held twice recently, attended with their family. During the Q & A session, the demonstration of “Yorozuyo” was performed in response to a request by a participant. After the Lecture, a dinner party was held and all the participants and their children had a very good time together.

The Lecture in Canberra was conducted as a sequel to last year’s lecture, but the venue this time was in a classroom on campus at the Australian National University. The event was held as part of the “Japanese Seminar Series” sponsored by the Asian Department. Although the number of the attendants was small because it was held at the very beginning of the new academic year, they listened keenly to Rev. Sasaki’s talk, followed by a lively question-and-answer session. Thus the Lecture in Canberra became very significant and fruitful.

Then, on 11th, Sunday afternoon, the Lecture in Perth was held for the first time in two years. The venue for the Lecture this time, unlike the previous years, was conducted at the residence of Mrs. Naoko Onda who migrated with her family from Auckland, New Zealand about one and a half years ago. The event was attended by 18 people, most of whom were their non-Tenrikyo friends and acquaintances. They enjoyed listening attentively to Rev. Sasaki’s talk, followed by a lively question-and-answer session. After the session, they shared a wonderful time with each other by having BBQ and potluck meals in a cozy atmosphere.

The Lecture in Melbourne was held on 15th at the Ohkoh Joyous Fellowship located near the city centre, not like the previous years, eagerly attended by 11 people including those who belong to Ohkoh Branch Church and friends of Mr. & Mrs. Furukawa who hosted the event. After the Lecture, a dinner party was held where it was impressive to see that Rev. Sasaki actively spoke to each participant.

On Saturday afternoon, 19th, the Lecture in Lennox Head was conducted for the very first time in this district at the residence of Mr. Noel Wright, a follower of Mrs. Michiko Jones who had laid the foundation of Tenrikyo in Australia. The venue for the event was filled with 20 people including Noel’s family and friends, as well as Rev. Motoichi Shiba, head minister of Notoku Branch Church, who had just visited his followers in Australia. Following the Lecture, the demonstration of the Seated Service and “Yorozuyo” were performed in response to a request by some participants, which all of them observed with interest. Then a lunch party was held and all the participants had a significant time where some of them asked the lecturer a personal question.

The last Lecture was held on Sunday afternoon on 20th March at the Oceania Centre in Brisbane. The same as the one two years ago, the Lecture was held in the meeting room at the Youth Hall right after its March monthly service was completed as a substitute for the monthly service sermon, and joined by 44 people including the attendees of the monthly service as well as non-Tenrikyo followers who had been invited by devout Yoboku and followers. In addition, a Japanese translation was provided for the convenience of the Japanese followers who did not understand English well, which made them very happy. After the Lecture, a luncheon party was conducted where the participants had a very significant time together, enjoying talking to each other during the meal in a casual and friendly atmosphere.

Reflecting upon the Joyous Life Lecture this time, we held the Lecture at four new venues out of the six, excluding the ones at Auckland and Brisbane where many non-Tenrikyo followers attended through sincere invitations by the host of each venue or their related Yoboku and followers. This is totally in line with the original purpose of the Joyous Life Lecture which is “an introductory lecture of Tenrikyo for those who have not known the teachings”, which made us feel very significant and meaningful. In this regard, we would like to make further efforts to pursue this tendency and convey the teachings of the Joyous Life to as many people as possible. We humbly ask for your further support and cooperation.