Appointed as the director of the Tohon Overseas Mission Department
| (Tohon Newsletter Vol.1_No.1) by Rev. TAKAHASHI Sadatsugu The head minister of Soryo Branch Church in Kyoto, JAPAN (This is the translation of Rev. Takahashi's address extracted from the “Tohon” quarterly journal.) Up to this point, our Overseas Mission Department has worked as one section of the Domestic Mission Department. However, at this time Tohon Grand Church has officially established the “Overseas Mission Department,” and I was appointed as director of the Department, and I fully understand the responsibility of this position. I, personally, do not have any foreign language ability, talent, or even physical strength to complete this duty. Therefore, without the help of Rev. Ueda, Rev. Ogawa, staff of this Department, and the support of Tohon Grand Church, I could not fulfill [carry out] this work. I gently ask for your help and cooperation of all of you. In March 31, 1999, we held the first meeting of the Department and the following 4 subjects were discussed: 1. We guide and work with overseas fellows, making a more sincere effort to support them and delegate new overseas missionaries. 2. During our service in the Overseas Mission Department, we bring up (at least) one person (missionary) who devotes himself or herself to work as an overseas missionary for his or her life. 3. We hold language study programs such as Portuguese, which the Tohon Young Men’s Association holds lectures on, while, holding these study session in foreign countries. 4. We think about how we should perform “the Otsutome” (the service) in foreign countries, especially with those persons who can not understand Japanese. At the end of the meeting, I strongly demanded (requested) all staff members, “Please do not hesitate to say anything, and feel free to discuss even the most trivial matter.” Concerning the 1st subject, speaking of foreign countries, we cannot deal with them in the same way, since they are under various economic or religious circumstances. Therefore, the subsidy for missionary work must be considered according to the situation of each country and region. Concerning of opening new fellowship, we should wait patiently until the time comes, but we should conduct accordingly as soon as time is right. There are some places that have potential. Concerning the 2nd subject, the most important thing is the belief of missionaries. In addition, we delegate those missionaries to TLI (Tenrikyo Language Institute) for one year. Besides, it is necessary to let students study abroad. If we cannot speak foreign languages, we cannot convey our teachings to foreign people. Thus, it is necessary to send students in order to study abroad for a couple of years. Although they may study abroad, they may not be always engaged in missionary work or unable to do so. But ,even so, I hope they could be good partners or supporters of mission in future. However, though we may not be able to get good results, I think it is important to give foreign students the oppotunity to study Tenrikyo teachings in Japan and also experience Japanese life. Then we need love for the students since there are many differences between foreign customs and Japanese customs. We can then give [impart] the fragrance of the teachings to foreign people who stay or live in Japan. We need to continue the “Home Stay” plan done by Tohon church, and send people to the foreign countries for months in order to make them understand and practice the foreign missionary work. Also to collect such people will be useful. Concerning the 3rd subject , I want to resume a quarterly newsletter by placing good speeches in it as much as possible. I not only want to hold an English study class, but I also want to have other foreign language classes like the Portuguese conversation studies that the Tohon Young Men’s Association has now. Also, we will try to ask the Overseas Mission Department of Tenrikyo Church Headquarters to cooperate to produce the seminar of “the Doctrine of Tenrikyo” in local languages. We also need to hold for the overseas seminar in order to learn foreign affairs and customs by inviting overseas missionary as a lecturer or an instructor. It would, however, be more effective to participate in some seminars that are held in Tenrikyo Church Headquarters. Concerning the 4th subject, we are faced with difficulties in performing the service in foreign languages. For instance, Korean and Japanese language have the same word order of the subject, the predicate and the modifiers. On the contrary, English or Chinese are different from that of Japanese. (Therefore, I have thought we could more easily translate the Mikagura-uta from Japanese to Korean than to English. But this was my misunderstanding.) I think it is good for American followers to listen to the Otsutome, which is sung by the ex-Shinbashira, in a tape and a CD, and also to memorize only the Suwari-zutome in Japanese. Regarding overseas mission, I think there are many problems yet to be settled. At any time, a lot of people are needed to carry out overseas missionary activities, and it will take time to accomplish. The story of a Christian missionary at one small village in Holland [the Kingdom of the Netherlands] tells that all villagers unite their minds, raise money, and assist one missionary in order to send him as overseas mission. It is hard to carry out even a few of the things that I mentioned above. Therefore, we must do it gradually. I believe that there is no alternative. Thank you very much, and I kindly ask for your help and cooperation concerning this issue. Return to the top of the page. |
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