A Summer to Remember!
| (Tohon Newsletter Vol.4_No.1 Total No.13) An essay written by Miss Suny Nakajima (18) in Tokyo, Japan (Honsaka branch church) She was born in Australia, and came to Japan (Tokyo) when she was 13. She will be a college student in Australia next year. In the future, she hopes to work in the film industry. This summer, I had the most wonderful and most satisfying experience. I went to the Tenrikyo Gakushu for High School Students. And thanks to it, I had the best Summer holiday. I'd even go to say that it was the BEST I've had for a few years. To attempt conveying all the feelings and thoughts that so forcefully struck me at this Gakushu(* would be impossible. The truth is, I'm quite lost for words even now trying to begin recalling that one week. But I am determined to explain it as vividly as I can, for I want more than anything to share this feeling with others. 9th August 2002, by 6:30 a.m., I was all dressed and ready to leave. Today was the first day, the very start of the camp that lay ahead of me for one complete week. Neither was I presently too excited nor nervous about my going. This Gakushu was not something that I anticipated to keenly on. Thinking about it only registered in my mind, as another week going by. Many people had told me about it before, and I listened to their rumours of the Gakushu's 'amazingness', but I could not visualize much of it. I suppose that in a way, I did not want to hold my expectations to high. But I was indeed very mistaken about my expectations of it, as I soon found out. The moment I walked into the dormitory room, I changed my mind about the expectations I had had earlier. I liked the place now, and was getting quite excited about everything, finally. No one else my age was there yet ( I was the first to arrive ), but in the room sat one person. She introduced herself to me as the group care-taker. Her name was Sacchan, that's what she said I could call her, and so I did. After a short interview, I found a nice area in the room where I then put down my luggage. By this time, I was very much looking forward to meeting all my other room-mates that would soon become my new friends as we lived together for the short period. One by one they arrived, and I was comforted to find that they were all nice, friendly, and interesting people. Instantly, everyone became close, and acquainted with each other. Within the first hour, we all knew each other’s names, hobbies, likes & dislikes thanks to Sacchan's ice-breaking games. Each person came from a different place in Japan, ranging from Yamaguchi to Osaka to Tokyo to even Hokkaido. I learned so much from each of my room-mates. By talking to them, I was constantly gaining new knowledge and fresh ideas and outlooks. I was having so much fun already, and this was just the first hour! The next day, I went to school with all these other girls, who by now felt as close as real sisters to me. There, we met the other half of our class mates that we would study with and interact with during the Gakushu…the boys. The boys out numbered us by one person but it was not a very noticeable difference. Most of the girls were quite extroverted, and got along promptly with the boys, but others were more shy, and took their time. But however their approach was eventually, every one of us communicated freely and was just like one big family again. It was great. For the next 5 days, every morning our room woke up at 4:00 am, prepared for the day, and went to school after prayer. Each day, our class learned different lessons, and practiced various activities. We even went on an excursion to a TV/media station on the last day. For fun, we had dances in huge circles, and played many games. The cafeteria tables during lunch-time were also a place of free communication and interacting. Always there was a dramatic conversation taking place at mixed sections of the table. And words, gestures, and expressions were being exchanged in all directions. By the 5th day, we were all best friends. Although there was nothing more amazing we could have asked for from the Gakushu, everyone was somewhat quiet and downhearted on this last day. The problem was, none of us wanted to go home, but we all knew that it was inevitable that we would all have to part the next day. I was feeling nostalgic for the first day of the camp again. Everyday I was wishing I could go back to that moment when I first walked into that empty room. Now as I recall the hot but sunny days once more, I feel affection for these friends I made 3 months ago, just like it was yesterday. And I realize now that the rumours WERE true. That the Gakushu truly is an 'AMAZING' experience. One of the biggest lessons that I learned this summer, in conclusion of my 1 week camp, was that religion is something so infinitely magical, that sharing that same religion with someone else also makes that friendship infinite and magical. I want to share Tenrikyo with so many more people now! *) 'Gakushu' is an abbreviated word of 'Gakusei-seito-shuyo-kai' that means 'Students Spiritual Development Course' in English. Return to the text. Return to the top of the page. |
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