The annual Founders' Day Ceremony on August 1 is the ceremony by which we profoundly appreciate present Patriarch Oshieoya and the First and Second Founders, who are still working spiritually for the rapid realization of true world peace.
On this day hundreds of thousands of PL believers, from the local
churches in Japan and from distant parts of the world, gather at the
PL Holy Land, the home of our spirit, to appreciate
and pray to the First and Second Founders.
The Founders' Day ceremony climaxes when Oshieoya, standing
before the altar of the Main Temple, purifies all the participants
through the Rite of Blessing. At this moment, from behind the Main
Temple, a thunderous burst of
"dedication fireworks" light up the sky.
Soon afterwards there follows an hour long display of the
world's greatest fireworks,
.
The First Founder prayed and asked God to shorten his natural life by
30 years, so that by his sacrifice, his teachings and virtue would
remain forever to save mankind. He repeatedly said,
"When I die this religion should spread all over the world.
Therefore, my death is meaningful for world peace; it is not something
to grieve or mourn over. Rather after my death celebrate together
with fireworks." The Second Founder sincerely wanting to
fulfill his wish created "The Art of PL Fireworks",
to honor and appreciate the life and virtue of the First Founder.
Since the First Founder passed away during the time of religious
persecution, the fireworks art couldn't be realized for some time.
In 1953, at Matsuyama City, the first fireworks display, was held, in
commemoration of the 15th Anniversary of the First Founder. The
following year in 1954, the site of the Founder's Day ceremony, as
well as the "Art of PL Fireworks" was moved to the new PL
Headquarters in Tondabayashi.
This annual event is the most popular entertainment in the area and is
looked forward to, not only by PL members, but by many residents of
Greater Osaka and the neighboring towns. Yet, we should always
remember that it is not a mere seasonal display of fireworks.
Rather it is the grand bouquet dedicated by all PL believers
throughout the world to the spirits of the First and Second Founders.
It is also the symbol of their prayer for the rapid realization of
true world peace. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that the great
truth of Perfect Liberty and the principle,
"Life is Art",
are positively expressed through the "Art of PL Fireworks."
Also on the Founders' Day, August 1, the annual Peace Tower Ceremony is held. The spirits of all those who have died in war, regardless of race, religion or nationality, are enshrined in the altar of the Peace Tower. In this ceremony we console their and pray for the everlasting peace of mankind.
