Interview with the Happy Science Religious Second Generation! What is the lifestyle of young believers in Happy Science?

Among the members of Happy Science, the community composed of members aged 23 to 35 is called the 'Youth Division'.

This time, we focused on the members of the Youth Division and asked about the activities and daily lives of young believers.

We spoke with...

● Mr. Masato Tominari (28 years old)

Living in Tokyo. An engineer working for a major heavy machinery manufacturer. He has been living as a second-generation believer of Happy Science since childhood. 'Recently, I started cooking for myself. What I often make is enoki mushroom wrapped in meat. My current goal is to be able to roll a dash-maki egg well.'

● Ms. Miho Hamajima (25 years old)

Living in Tokyo. Works in the food and beverage industry. She has been living as a second-generation believer of Happy Science since childhood. 'If I can find some time, I would like to go to a small island in Okinawa called 'Kohamajima' and spend time watching the stars by the seaside. I feel a sense of familiarity because it resembles my last name (Hamajima) (laughs).'

Mr. Tominari: I was first invited by a staff member of Happy Science who had taken care of me during my student days, saying, 'There is a retreat for the Youth Division, so come along.' After meeting seniors there, they kept introducing me to more people, saying, 'How about meeting this person?' and I kept connecting with more and more people.

Ms. Hamajima: I didn't participate much in the student division, but after I started working, a woman of the same age moved near my branch open_in_new. She was an activist in the Youth Division and invited me to a 'girls' gathering.' By participating in that gathering, I made my first acquaintances of the same age in Happy Science. Since I had some familiar faces, it became easier to attend the next gathering, and I soon made close friends... that was the beginning.

Mr. Tominari: The Youth Division consists of peers who are learning the same teachings of Happy Science. Because we are of the same age, there are feelings we can understand, and I think various anxieties can be alleviated.
Ms. Hamajima: I really love the Youth Division; everyone gets along well. Everyone is good at finding the good points in others and is kind. Seeing the seniors like that made me think, 'I want to be like them,' and it actually changed how I interact with people, allowing me to build good relationships at work.

↑ The lip balm that Ms. Hamajima loves was a birthday gift from a friend in the Youth Division. Her name is engraved on it.

Mr. Tominari: I think many people feel they have 'grown' since coming to the Youth Division. Around me, there are people who were shy and passive, but as they regularly met with youth members, their expressions brightened, and they started volunteering to help with branch activities and even brought friends along. There are also those who became top in sales and got promoted after starting Youth Division activities.

Ms. Hamajima: There are many people who will praise you straight away if they see something good about you, so I think you can become aware of your strengths. I also started to think about how I can utilize my strengths in my work and life.
When working, there are many times when I compare myself to excellent people or get scolded by my boss, and I feel down, thinking, 'I can't do anything at all.' But when I come to the Youth Division, where everyone recognizes each other, I can escape the loop of self-denial and find joy in talking to people.

Mr. Tominari: It's common for me to think, 'I wonder how that person is doing?' and then receive a call from them. It's truly a case of telepathy, and I feel connected with my friends in the Youth Division.

Mr. Tominari: The charm is the 'people' themselves. You can meet various people with different perspectives and positions. Talking to those who have clear goals and are working hard energizes me, and I feel it's a relationship where we can mutually improve each other. Everyone has feelings of empathy and gratitude, so it's very natural for them to say, 'Thank you for today.' That's why I can trust them and consult with them. I have been blessed with friends since joining the Youth Division, to the point where people often ask me, 'How do you know so many people?'

Ms. Hamajima: First of all, everyone has dreams and ideals. Also, knowing that everything in their hearts is transparent before God, everyone is truly kind, and there is a sense of security in being accepted from the bottom of their hearts. It's very reassuring, and there are strong connections that won't easily break.

Mr. Tominari: Because there is trust in having the same beliefs, we can get along well even if we live in different prefectures, and I meet with nearby friends almost every week. We coordinate our schedules to go to the temple open_in_new for training, go out for meals, and I have friends who go to the gym together.

↑ A gathering of male members, commonly known as 'Men's School,' which is held regularly among Mr. Tominari and his friends.

Mr. Tominari: The activities we do in Happy Science are about introducing the teachings to those who do not yet know about Happy Science. We want to help lighten the emotional burdens of people by sharing what we have learned and what has cleared our minds regarding common concerns and worries of this generation, such as work, love, life planning, and money.

Additionally, Happy Science has many themes where young people can be active, so for example, we plan events to promote Happy Science movies or participate in political activities.

Ms. Hamajima: I usually go to the branch, distribute religious magazines, and participate in the Happiness Realization Party open_in_new's street campaigns. Recently, for a Youth Division project, we had an okonomiyaki party together. We borrowed the branch, listened to a lecture by President Okawa open_in_new, and then had fun making okonomiyaki together. Youth Division gatherings are generally held about once or twice a month.

Mr. Tominari: On days when I'm completely exhausted, it's tough, but basically, I pray (reciting the fundamental scripture 'Shoshin Hōgo' open_in_new given only to members) in the morning and at night. I also listen to President Okawa's lectures during my commute to keep my mind in order.