The Tohon Betsudo-tai Cross the Pacific--overseas mission tour in U.S.
| (Tohon Newsletter Vol.2_No.1_Total No.5) By Mr. Michikazu Toda A chairperson of Tohon Branch of Tenrikyo Young Men’s Association The Betsudo-tai is an unique missionary activity of Tohon Branch of Tenrikyo Young Men's Association (TYMA-Tohon), that has succeeded for over 20 years since Rev. Takahashi, now a head of Tohon Overseas Mission Department, was a chairperson of Tohon Branch. From September 18th through October 3rd, 2000, the Betsudo-tai, a study and training group of missionaries, was held by TYMA-Tohon at Honrikuto Church in Los Angeles, U.S.A. Twelve members of TYMA-Tohon, including me, participated the group and some members in L.A. joined with us. Under the slogan of "Train oneself through the missionary activities," we decide the mission post at local churches and concentrate on missionary works during certain days. This time, we crossed the Pacific to hold this Betsudo-tai at Honrikuto Church. The purpose of our Betsudo-tai was as follows; 1. Improve one's ambition toward the overseas mission. 2. Intensify missionary work. 3. Practice missionary works with the members in U.S. together. 4. Awaken oneself as Arakitoryo or a pioneer missionary. Though it was the first time for eight members among the twelve to go overseas, we actively started our missionary works just one day after we arrived in L.A. First of all, we visited Dendocho or Tenrikyo Mission Headquarters in America and were given a lecture on Tenrikyo in U.S. by the Bishop, Rev. Matsuda. Our first step of missionary was started from Kamina-nagashi, spreading the name of God the Parent (Oyagami-sama), in downtown of L.A. Following that, at Hollywood, Santa Monica and San Francisco, we had spread the divine name, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, and handed out over 1000 pamphlets to various people while we made the public preaching at the park or on the roadside. The preaching was very unique and we wanted you to listen to that if possible. Nioi-gake, the door-to-door missionary work, was held near by Honrikuto Church. Even though we were new there, we could talk to people about our teachings and administer the Sazuke, Divine Grant, to many people. We could feel God’s blessings and Oyasama, the Foundress of Tenrikyo, support us through these activities. By the way, Honrikuto Branch of TYMA (TYMA-Honrikuto) was organized at this time. Mr. Paul Tomizawa became a chairperson of Honrikuto Branch. At the sanctuary of Tenrikyo Headquarters in America we pledged to God the Parent together that we make an effort as Yoboku. And besides, we made a study caravan to go to Las Vegas and Grand Canyon to see a world biggest amusement center and a spectacular nature and visited the church of Jesus Christ of the latter day saints in Salt Lake City and the mission training center in Provo, Utah. In addition to that, visiting Tenrikyo Utah Church in Ogden and Tenrikyo Central Fresno Church in Fresno, we could learn many splendid things through church activities. We were impressed with the experiences of the head ministers of both churches. This wonderful Betsudo-tai moved our hearts though it was so packed schedule. We all appreciated the co-operation of Honrikuto Church and would like to say, “Thank you very much,” to Rev. and Mrs. Tomizawa and the members of TYMA in L.A. Return to the top of the page. Tour Schedule : from September 18th through October 3 |
| Date | Main Schedule | What to do | Place |
| Nov. 19 | Worshiping the Headquarters in America. Missionary Activity Starts. |
Lecture by the Bishop, Door-to-door missionary works, Spreading the name of God the Parent, Street preaching |
Los Angeles; Around the Mission HQ in America, Downtown |
| Nov. 20 | Missionary Activity | Door-to-door missionary works, Spreading the name of God the Parent |
Around Honrikuto Church, Santa Monica |
| Nov. 21 | Missionary Activity | Door-to-door missionary works, Spreading the name of God the Parent, Street preaching |
Around Honrikuto Church, Hollywood |
| Nov. 22 | Missionary Activity | Door-to-door missionary works, Spreading the name of God the Parent, Street preaching |
Around Honrikuto Church, Downtown L.A. |
| Nov. 24 | Making a study caravan to go to Utah. | ||
| Nov. 27 | Missionary Activity | Door-to-door missionary work with Rev. Obayashi. | Around Utah Church in Ogden, Utah |
| Nov. 28 | Visiting the church of Jesus Christ of the latter day saints in Salt Lake City and the mission training center in Provo. | Utah |
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| Nov. 29 | Missionary Activity | Spreading the name of God the Parent, Street preaching | San Francisco |
| Nov. 30 | Visiting Central Fresno Church | Lecture by Rev. Yukimoto | Fresno |
Members of the BETSUDO-TAI group :
(1) Michikazu Toda, (2) Masao Toda, (3) Michitada Yanagisawa, (4) Takemori Matsuki,
(5) Masao Sakata, (6) Masamitsu Umeda, (7) Taichi Suzuki, (8) Kazuhisa Akiyama,
(9) Toshimitsu Fukui, (10) Shigeki Tsukahara, (11) Saichi Oda, (12) Takanori Nagai
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