Finally, a cool autumn has come. I want to thank you very much for returning to the Autumn Grand Service of this grand church. Though I still lack in experience, I would like to speak about the meaning of the Autumn Grand Service. I should also like to confer with you on how to go about the activities for Oyasama's 120th Anniversary.First of all, I would like to talk about the meaning of the Autumn Grand Service, that is to say, the meaning of October 26th, 1838. Let us refer to the Doctrine and read the beginning of Chapter One "Oyasama."
"I am God of Origin, God in Truth. There is causality in this Residence. At this time I have descended here to save all mankind. I wish to receive Miki as the Shrine of God."
These were the first words declared by God the Parent, Tenri-O-no-Mikoto, through the mouth of Oyasama, Miki Nakayama.
Miki's family was greatly startled by the unexpected revelation. Using every possible argument, they refused God's request but God the Parent remained steadfast. Finally, forsaking all self-centered human thoughts and concerns of inconvenience to the family, they replied that they would comply with God's request. That day, October 26, 1838, marks the beginning of Tenrikyo.
I believe you have read this many times. Today, I would like to speak a little bit about Oyasama's husband, Zenbei, who had an important role with the Divine Model of Oyasama from the very beginning.
As we saw earlier in the first words of God, God "wish[ed] to receive Miki as the Shrine of God."
If we think about this, it is God who is the requestor, so I think it would have been possible for God to have made Miki Nakayama the Shrine of God without asking permission. However, God takes this clear step to make this request.
When I hear this, the story of the Truth of Origin comes to my mind. Similar to how God, "obtained their consent and received them [the first instruments used in human creation]," God the Parent also made a request to Zenbei.
When we think about this, we can sense God the Parent's thoughts toward Zenbei.
In Chapter One "The Shrine of Tsukihi" in the Life of Oyasama, Foundress of Tenrikyo, we read:
Miki had been sitting straight, night after day, for three consecutive days, holding the gohei in Her hands. She had taken neither meal nor rest during this time. Sometimes She would sit calmly, but at other times She would solemnly reveal the intention of God of Origin in a resounding voice, Her hands trembling and wavering so violently that the paper fringes of the gohei were torn to shreds.