Sunlight filters through paper lanterns as drums and flutes set a gentle rhythm—this is the heart of Tenrikyo services, where every gesture brims with gratitude and hope. At the center stands the Kanrodai, a hexagonal stand marking the Jiba, or “origin place.” Gathering in crisp white robes, practitioners bow deeply toward this sacred point, clapping hands twice in unison to awaken divine attention.

Morning Services often begin before dawn, offering eighty‐two melodies called the Mikagura‐uta. Accompanied by shamisen, kokyū, fue, and taiko drum, these tunes guide faithful through the Kagura Service—an elegant dance performed by chosen members. Each movement symbolizes aspects of creation: the turning of heaven, the blooming of life, the nurturing embrace of the Parent. Streamed live these days (a nod to virtual worship born from recent health precautions), the ritual connects pilgrims from Tokyo high‐rises to countryside hamlets in real time.

Once a month, congregations across the globe unite in the Tsukinami-no-ritual. The air hums with chants and hand claps as ministers recite the Ofudesaki scriptures, weaving words of divine parenthood into everyday worries. Visitors often describe a sense of communal heartbeat, as if each clap echoes shared joy.

Seasonal Festivals at the Founding Shrine in Tenri turn this devotion into a grand celebration. Streets brim with processions, taiko troupes, and lantern-lit parades. During the January Grand Service or August Grand Service, tens of thousands make the pilgrimage, praying for world harmony—especially resonant as cities everywhere embrace sustainability and collective well‐being in 2025.

When sorrow strikes—be it illness or natural disaster—the Sazuke, a healing prayer bestowed by ministers, offers comfort. Hands laid gently upon the recipient, the ritual weaves divine care into personal struggle, a timely reminder that spiritual nourishment isn’t just ceremony, but a lifeline. Every clap, every bow, every melody folds into the tapestry of a faith that turns ordinary moments into sparks of joy.