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Nichiren Shu News Published by the Head Office of Nichiren Shu & NOPPA

No. 235 December 1, 2019 1 JODO-E AND OUR LITTLE By Rev. Ryuoh Faulconer

Prince Siddhartha, after years of prac- were placed under the tree. The a bush, so I made a tree out of wire and went into storage. The space we were ticing various austerities, sat beneath a was competing with Christmas, also in paper mache, beneath it we placed a using for temple activities was much Bodhi tree for 49 days. On December December. The Americanswould still statue of the historical Buddha touching smaller and didn’t have enough space 8th, he attained Enlightenment and celebrate Christmas, but the addition of the earth. The Bodhi Tree had leaves to set up decorations, so our services became the Buddha. We refer to that Jodo-e adds more wonder to the holiday made by the , both wishes and became less ornate than they had been day as Jodo-e. season and helps to spread Buddhism to prayers were written upon them. Glitter in the past. This special day is celebrated by new people. was used to decorate the leaves, and they This year, we officially opened our many Buddhists around the world. In I carried this tradition with me to New would sparkle in the candlelight. temple in a wonderful new space on America, Jodo-e is not familiar to most England when I became the minister About four years ago, we moved our October 12. We decorated for the people, but December is filled with many here in 2007. I had a hard time finding temple, and most of our temple items Oeshiki service, had a beautiful service celebrations that Americans know, like along with a member taking vows and Christmas and Hanukkah. officially becoming part of our Sangha. Back when I was a layperson, many Many people from the other offices and years ago, I remember going to the stores in our building came over and temple in late November, where I met visited the temple space. with the priest who would later become We are very excited about our new my master. space, and we are already planning for He was getting ready for Jodo-e, the decorating for December. We will put up Buddha’s Enlightenment Day. He had lights in blue, red, yellow, and green— found a bush which had died. He gave the colors of the four directions. And the bush a new purpose by putting it into we will again make a Bodhi Tree with a Christmas tree stand. The branches leaves made by our Sangha with wishes were bare, but they had a nice shape. and prayers for the future. We will place It was about three or four feet tall and the historical Buddha under our tree wide. He put a simple, white cloth and have a service to commemorate around the base to cover the stand and this sacred day in Buddhism. If you then started tying heart-shaped leaves, find yourself in New England, please which he had cut out from paper, onto stop by and visit us. Our website is the tree. It soon became our little Bodhi Enjoying Our New Space: We’re all looking forward to the return of our little Bodhi Tree tradition. www.kosen-ji.org. Our Sangha wishes tree. Presents for the kids in the Sangha everyone a happy Jodo-e.

EUROPEAN RETREAT AT RENKOJI TEMPLE: “PRACTICE OUR FAITH WITH JOY, DETERMINATION AND DEVOTION”

By Rev. Shoryo Tarabini Rev. Okuda was previously an overseas uniqueness of the Shinja Daiko soon had to become formally recognized as an missionary in Brazil. Many people came everyone chanting the Odaimoku with official religious structure in the town Every year, we have strived to hold an from all over Italy, Holland, Mexico, such joy and energy that no one wanted and region of Piemonte. He also visited annual retreat to fully immerse ourselves and Portugal this year. Each day saw an to stop. In fact, we chanted more than the site where a statue of Nichiren Dai- in study and practice in order to deepen increase in the number of participants, an hour beyond the originally allotted shonin will stand at the town’s entrance our faith in Nichiren Shu Buddhism. with nearly 50 people participating by time. Since then, we have been beating in the planned Peace Park of Cereseto. Following an Italian pilgrimage in July, the last day. The retreat was conducted the drum in the Shinja Daiko fashion The final day, Sunday, began in the we began preparing to host numerous in English, Italian, Spanish, and Portu- at every service. Rev. Sasaki mentioned morning with the consecration of a new other believers from Europe. Since so guese. Centered around the concluding that it seemed as though we had all Odaimoku Tower meticulously carved many people expressed their desire to Oeshiki Ceremony, the entire course encountered something new, and the in stone over a period of four months come to this year’s retreat, which lasted was concentrated primarily on the life fresh spirit in the way we all chanted by Dario Bic, one of Renkoji Temple’s for three days from September 27-29, and teachings of Our Founder, Nichiren was truly invigorating. members from the alpine Aosta region. we decided to also hold the Oeshiki Daishonin. The theme of this year’s Other lectures presented during these The retreat concluded with the Oeshiki Ceremony two weeks earlier than usual retreat was to “practice our faith with three days were: Nichiren Daishonin’s Ceremony, a commemorative photo so that more people could have the joy, determination and devotion.” Major Disciples and Lay Believers, The and a celebratory luncheon. Everyone opportunity to attend. For more than In his opening remarks, Rev. Sasaki Classification of the Buddha’s Teachings continued for days to write on their a month, members came to the temple began the retreat talking about the (教相判釈 , Kyoso Hanjaku), and The Facebook and Whatsapp messages about every week to clean and prepare the spirit of Gassho and deep respect for Persecutions of Nichiren Daishonin. the joy they felt in practicing Nichiren temple so we could welcome the each other. After orientation, we began Furthermore, a full-length film that was Shu Buddhism and expressing their and members of Nichiren Shu from all with a lecture by Rev. Okuda on the translated simultaneously regarding the gratitude for the wonderful opportunity over the world to Renkoji Temple. subject of The Five Periods and Eight Life of Nichiren Daishonin was aired over to have encountered such great teachers. This year, we were fortunate to be Teachings (五時八教 , Goji Hakkyo). In the two days. During the retreat, we also They all expressed their desire to share able to have with us Rev. Kobun Sasaki the afternoon, we held Taiko Practice, observed , Shakyo what they had learned with those who from the International Missionary teaching everyone to beat the drum in (literally “ copying,” but in this had not been able to attend and to Department of Nichiren Shu in the Shinja Daiko (Lay Believers’ Drum) case it was copying a passage from the continue with the same spirit in their and Rev. Yodo Okuda from Nagoya. manner. The resulting rhythm and the Rissho Ankoku Ron) and Shodaigyo with personal daily practice and faith. the chanting of the Hiki Daimoku. The second evening concluded with eating vegetarian pizza around a large campfire and ending with the launch of numerous floating lanterns on which everyone had written their prayers, the Odaimoku, and their personal wishes. During the retreat, Rev. Sasaki met with Cereseto’s mayor, Mr. Enzo Lavagno, to discuss the future of Mayor Enzo Lavagno in the center with Many followers from around Europe joined in this retreat in Cereseto. Renkoji Temple and Nichiren Shu in Revs. Sasaki and Tarabini to his left and right. Italy, including our temple’s application 2 Nichiren Shu News No. 235 December 1, 2019 GREATGREAT FIGURESFIGURES WHOWHO HADHAD FAITHFAITH ININ NICHIRENNICHIREN SHUSHU (8) JOKAN MANDAI (1675-1712) WHO HELPED INCREASE THE ITINERANT MEDICINE TRADE

By Rev. Sensho Komukai peddler’s next visit. Thus, the itinerant trade system of selling medicine started, In the New Year of the Edo Period in the and it became a common sight that late 17th century, a feudal lord (daimyo) itinerant medicine peddlers from Toyama had a severe stomachache in the Edo-jo traveled around the country. Castle. He looked very pale. The pain Dr. Mandai produced the han-gon-tan was so excruciating that he burst out in medicine to save many lives, and he was a cold sweat all over his body. Unable to held in high esteem as a contributor to the stand seeing him writhing in pain, Lord growth of the itinerant medicine trade Masatoshi Maeda, daimyo of Toyama in Toyama. When he passed away, the Domain, took out a medicine from his medicine peddlers in Toyama wished to still held at Myokokuji Temple every basket and gave it to him. Immediately, the Life of Medicine-King ,” which receive some of his remains, and they year on June 5. Those involved in the daimyo in pain recovered. Other feudal says, “This Sutra is a good medicine for entombed them in Myokokuji Temple pharmaceutical industry come to attend lords from various provinces stared in disease, saving all living beings from all in Toyama City. Memorial services for the service to praise the beneficial influence wonder at how effective the medicine sufferings and from all the bonds of birth expressing gratitude toward him are of Dr. Mandai. was. They all wanted to know the name and death.” He even carried a statue of of the medicine and pleaded with Lord Medicine-King Bodhisattva with him at all Maeda to provide some medicine for them times. With the spirit REVEREND KANNO PREACHES (60) in preparation for a sudden illness. The of Medicine-King medicine Lord Maeda gave was called Bodhisattva, Dr. Man- han-gon-tan, literally meaning “a pill to dai was determined to “I will never break my vow bring one back to life” (han, to revive; gon, produce the medicine to become the pillar of Japan, a soul or a spirit; and tan, a pill). Most of from his ardent desire the daimyo earnestly requested someone to help those suffering to become the eyes of Japan, from Toyama to come to their domains from acute illness. and to become the great to sell the medicine. Lord Maeda was vessel for Japan.” The han-gon-tan medicine originated impressed with the —Kaimoku-sho (Open Your Eyes) in Okayama Domain of Bizen Province. doctor’s unselfish Jokan Mandai, the doctor of the domain, disposition, much after traveling around the whole country, like a bodhisattva. stayed in the castle town of Toyama. Lord Considering it highly Masatoshi Maeda, who happened to hear important to extend The Mind of of the effective medicine, entreated Jokan medical aid to all the the Odaimoku to produce more han-gon-tan medicine. poor and isolated The medicine had been a wonder drug villages where no one Nichiren Shonin proclaims the above “Three Great Vows” in his originally made according to a secret had ever shared in the benefit of medical essay Open Your Eyes which he wrote on , where he inherited recipe and never allowed to services, he adopted a method of selling was exiled from 1271-1274. These vows symbolize our Founder’s be taken out of the feudal domain. Dr. medicine known as “use first, pay later” Mandai, however, made the han-gon-tan system, in which a peddler put different determination, prayers, and pledges. “Pillar” means spiritual medicine and presented it to Lord Maeda. kinds of medicine in a chest and delivered foundation, “eyes” mean religious and cultural perspective, and He had great faith in the , it to a customer’s house. A charge for “great vessel” means the safety of the entire country. The ideas especially in Chapter 23, “The Previous the used ones would be paid for on the expressed using these symbols are adaptable not only for Japan but for the whole world and the whole universe. More importantly, they are symbols meant to appeal to ordinary people. In these vows, he Fourth Workshop in Brazil tells us to keep a firm religious belief on which you can rely, the Odaimoku; to chant the Odaimoku on the basis of a lofty religious By Rev. Yodo Okuda the attendees. I wish I had done more and cultural level; and to keep the Odaimoku, praying not only research about the area where we rented for our own happiness but also the happiness of others. Nichiren The fourth Nichiren Shu Workshop in the space, as we ended up spending extra Brazil was held on August 24-25 in Sao time looking for places to eat. Shonin chanted the Odaimoku facing the rising sun at Mount Paulo, Brazil. Since we have no temple of However, I felt that each member’s Kiyosumi in on April 28, 1253, proclaiming the our own in Sao Paulo, and the number responsibility has become stronger, founding of Nichiren Shu. He chanted the Odaimoku with these of attendees this year was limited, we and the connection between members pledges and appeals in mind for us as ordinary people. rented space from a Brazilian Jodo is good. Though we were able to get help Shinshu priest whom we know. from a priest from a different order, In 1260, when He was living in , he presented a treatise, This year’s theme for the workshop we need to build a place of worship for the Rissho Ankoku-ron (Bringing Peace to the Country by Establishing was, “Daily prayer practice and how Nichiren Shu in Brazil. Hopefully, next Righteousness), to the government. In it, Nichiren Shonin states, to carry out Shodaigyo (chanting the year, one of our shami will enter Shingyo “You should promptly change your faith and follow the Lotus Sutra, Odaimoku in unison) correctly.” It has Dojo and take his vows as a Nichiren Shu been five years since we lost our official priest. We must all support him so that the good sutra.” Bringing Peace to the Country by Establishing temple in Brazil, so propagation has been we can realize the dream of setting up Righteousness is not only the title of the treatise presented to the done online. Fortunately, followers in big a temple of our own in Brazil. government. It is also a call to action. “Righteousness” means the cities like Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and —Translated by Sandra Seki “Odaimoku.” With these words, Nichiren Shonin is telling all of us Recife, as well as other local areas, are enthusiastic and actively hold meetings to always keep the Odaimoku in mind as we engage in our respective and practice sessions. Whenever they fields. He calls for politicians to do their duties, government servants assemble, they recite from the Lotus to do their work, managers to run their companies, parents to raise Sutra and practice Shodaigyo. their children, people to relate to their families, and educators to The sessions must be based on good manners and correct procedures, like teach children.... all with the mind of the Odaimoku! This is what the strict mannerisms of Budo (Japanese Nichiren Shonin is telling us in the Rissho Ankoku-ron. In the martial arts), or else the sessions are treatise, he also says to us as priests, “If you bend, your shadow not worth the time and effort. I would will bend,” meaning, “When you go in the wrong direction to find like to focus on adhering to the proce- dures and correct manners during the the right path, the world also goes the wrong way.” prayer session. Since there were only 15 participants Honorable Rev. Nissho Kanno, Archbishop of Nichiren Shu, Fourth Nichiren Shu workshop held in Sao Paulo, Chief of Ikegami Honmonji Temple, Tokyo this year, a lot of time was spent on Brazil brings enthusiastic participants together. questions and answers and talking with No. 235 December 1, 2019 Nichiren Shu News 3 Temples Associated with Nichiren Shonin in Kamakura: Ryukoji Temple

By Rev.Kanshu Naito elaborate sculptures decorating the gate. Kanagawa Prefecture. A big white (Persecution Memorial Service) are held On the left side, behind the gate, there is for some of the Buddha’s genuine ashes September 11-13 each year. Mando (a Ryukoji Temple is located near the site a dungeon called Goreikutsu, meaning was built in 1970 to commemorate the festival in which lanterns are offered where the Tatsunokuchi Persecution “spiritual cave,” where Nichiren Shonin 700th anniversary of the Tatsunokuchi in penance to Nichiren Shonin) are took place in 1278. It was previously was temporarily imprisoned while at Persecution stands to the left of the same dedicated by neighboring religious located at the foot of a low hill near the persecution site. A bronze statue of hill. Some people from the tribe of associations from evening to night Katase-Enoshima in Kamakura. Nichiren Shonin is enshrined inside. In India come to maintain it once every few on September 12, and many people Kumaomaru, later known as Nippo the center of the magnificent main hall, years. It has twelve plates with carvings gather to watch the Mando Parade. Shonin, who followed Nichiren Shonin which was built in 1832, stands a statue depicting Nichiren Shonin’s life on all Men from the neighboring town pound to the Tatsunokuchi Execution Site, of Nichiren Shonin, carved by Nippo four sides. steamed rice into cake on the morning built a temple called Shikikawado at Shonin himself. The solemn and grand memorial of September 12 while chanting the Tatsunokuchi in 1337, 55 years after Nippo Shonin also carved the statue of services called Tatsunokuchi Honan-e Odaimoku and hand-made Nichiren Shonin’s death. It was later Nichiren Shonin that is now enshrined peony flower-shaped cakes(botamochi) named Jakkozan Ryukoji Temple. The at Ikegami Honmonji Temple. Both covered with sweet black sesame seeds name “Jakkozan” came from Nichiren statues are said to show the living image to Nichiren Shonin. This tradition goes Shonin’s “Letter to Shijo Kingo” (1271), of Nichiren Shonin. The stone called back to the historical event when the in which he wrote, “Tatsunokuchi in “Shikikawaishi” (a stone covered with Nun of Outlook Platform (Sajiki no Soshu Province is the very place where leather), which Nichiren Shonin was Ama) offered botamochi to Nichiren Nichiren gave up his life. The place is, forced to sit on during the Tatsunokuchi Shonin on the way to Tatsunokuchi. therefore, comparable to the Buddha’s Persecution, is placed inside the temple. Even today, the botamochi in small paper land... Since all the events leading to the In front of the building which enshrines bags are thrown to visitors who come Tatsunokuchi Persecution took place the stone, there is a big hanging frame to pay homage at the temple after the for the sake of the Lotus Sutra, this that says “Shikikawado,” meaning services held at 6:00 p.m. on September place should be called the “Leather Mat Temple.” A five-story 12 and at midnight on September 13. The of Tranquil Light.” built in 1910, made of Japanese botamochi are offered by Joeiji Temple, The main gate of the temple was built Zelkova with a copper roof, rises upward Kamakura. These are called ‘botamochi in 1864. It is made of Japanese Zelkova to the sky on the right side of the hill which did not sever the head,’ and people and roofed with copper. Various Chinese behind the main building. This is the eating the botamochi can be assured of historical events are carved on eight only formal style wooden pagoda in safety throughout the year.

Buddhism Q&A (15) environment rather than demons for instance), but the point is that according Health and Wellness Retreat By Rev. Ryuei McCormick to the teachings of Shakyamuni Buddha, By Rev. Cederman hours and by cutting the time for rest. If Grand Master , and Nichiren not, you will repent forever.” Directly to Are hardships necessarily Shonin, phenomena have a variety Seattle Enkyoji Nichiren the point! If we don’t correctly understand the effect of “karma,” or of causes and conditions of which holds a bi-monthly retreat that focuses on this, we can learn the true meaning by actions done in past lives? the outcome of past karma is just one Health and Wellness. Our last retreat, held engaging in such practice. contributor. The fruition of karmamay October 4-6, was a great success. In this retreat, we learned about our It may surprise people to learn that on be a decisive factor, and most relevant First, I would like to explain why we hold body types based on Ayurvedic medicine, several occasions Shakyamuni Buddha in many cases, but that is not something these retreats and their importance. Many which was a major influence on ancient rejected the that everything is we should presume without the insight temples simply hold services and have an Buddhism and is taught in the Great determined by karma. In one such instance, of a sage, an advanced bodhisattva, or occasional retreat. Here at Enkyoji, we Calming and Contemplation of Master the wanderer Sivaka asked the Buddha a buddha. are focused on experiential Buddhism, so Tiantai. This allows us to understand whether everything a person experiences is While present circumstances have at that practitioners can see tangible change our natural balance and work towards the result of what was done in the past. In least partially been determined by past and growth in their lives through practice restoring it. We begin with the basic his reply to Sivaka (Connected Discourses actions, the important thing to understand and study. We do this by developing and human action of eating. Ki, or energy, 36.21), the Buddha asserted a variety of as Buddhist practitioners is that, in deepening our practice within the context both positive and negative, starts with other causes and conditions besides karma each moment, we have the freedom to of our lives. Even for myself as a priest, I what and how we eat. I think that many that contribute to what is experienced in determine our present actions. We can need to continue to feel and see the benefit people are surprised that something so the present. commentaries on the choose to either reinforce old karmic of my practice to encourage and support simple, and yet so profound, is the basis of Buddha’s discourses later enumerated five patterns and bind themselves more closely others. If I don’t see it, how can I transmit Buddhism. We also shared many different types of causation: (1) inorganic change, to unwholesome patterns of cause and it to others? Another essential factor is to teachings that can help rebalance and (2) biological processes, (3) non-volitional effect, or we can forgenew, more liberating be able to have the proper physical and maintain focus in our lives such as Forest mental processes, (4) volitional activity, ways of being in the world and cultivate mental balance to allow what is hidden Bathing (Shinrin-yoku) or Mountain and (5) the selfless activity of awakened wholesome patterns of cause and effect to be revealed through the regulation of practice. This begins with introducing beings. It is the fourth type of causation, that will ultimately unbind us from our lives. This is something that many morning practices that are essential to volitional activity, that refers to the law of those old karmic patterns. Our practice modern Buddhists do not consider in their maintain happiness and balance for one’s karma, whereby wholesome deeds lead to of chanting the Odaimoku is aimed at practice, nor have they been taught about daily life. These provide the basis for other pleasant fruitions, and unwholesome deeds helping us develop the wisdom to cultivate it. Buddhism, in many ways, has been practices. Many people come every time we lead to unpleasant fruitions. the latter more responsible, awakened, and treated as a philosophy found in a book. hold these retreats, studying and growing Nichiren Shonin also acknowledged that liberating course. However, Buddhism was meant to reveal deeper in their amazement of the Buddhist karma was not the only cause of misfortune our true nature. That can only be attained teaching. I hope that you will come join us. and hardships. In a letter, A Reply to Lay if we are in the right state of being. As Our next retreat will be held from Priest Lord Ota (Ota Nyudo-dono Gohenji), Master Tiantai teaches us in the Smaller December 6-8, 2019. All are welcome! Nichiren Shonin wrote about the causes Treatise on Calming and Contemplation of illness to a sick lay follower. He cited (小止観), this begins with regulation of all the teaching of Great Master Tiantai in aspects of our lives. Master Tiantai states The Great Calming and Contemplation as an example, “It is like playing a harp. that there are six possible causes: First, you must tune the strings so that (1) disharmony among the four elements they are neither too tight nor too loose, (earth, air, fire, and water), (2) immoderate and then you can begin playing wonderful eating and drinking, (3) inconsistent music.” This means that if we do not practice of meditation, (4) problems caused properly prepare for practice in body, mind by a demon, (5) actions of a heavenly and spirit, we will not be able to correctly demon, and (6) karmic retribution. attain the benefit. Our Founder, Nichiren We might come up with different ways We welcome readers’ questions about Shonin, showed his understanding of this of classifying or naming the factors that Buddhism and Nichiren Shonin. Please idea in a passage from the Tokidono Gosho bring about illness as opposed to medieval send us your questions by e-mail to that many of us gloss over due to its harsh scholastic Buddhist categories (e.g., we [email protected] tone. “Nichiren’s followers must strive to might talk about stress or toxins in the or contact us through your local temple. attain by shortening sleeping 4 Nichiren Shu News No. 235 December 1, 2019

Nichiren Mission of Hawaii Rev. Shokai Kanai Indigo Blue Puunene Nichiren Mission Our temple held an introductory workshop Rev. Jinshi Sasabe with Temari’s Ann Asakura on November 9 and 16. Temari is the Center for Asian Nichiren Shu Head Office Bon Dance in Maui and Pacific Arts, founded as a nonprofit Rev. Gitetsu Shiota I participated in the Bon Dance and Segaki organization to promote traditional crafts. Nichiren Shu Scholarship service on June 8 at the Puunene Mission in The workshopwas held at the Nichiren Maui. About 200 hundred people attended Mission Social Hall. On October 23, Rev. Gitetsu Shiota, this event. We chanted the “Odaimoku” as Participants learned how indigo per- Executive Director of the Missionary an offering to the ancestors at the Segaki manently dyes fabrics and how to use Department, presented the Nichiren Shu service. After the service, I beat the drum resistance methods and control hue shades. Scholarship to Jung Yong Hyun, a stu- while reciting Chapter 16 of the Lotus There were lectures on indigo, and the dent from South Korea, who is currently Sutra before the Bon Dance. Rev. Josho participants examined an international studying at Minobusan University. This Yamamura and I recited from the Lotus collection of indigo-dyed textiles. scholarship is funded by the Shumuin Sutra for about an hour in the Hondo and given to promising foreign students during the Bon Dance. After everything them. If even one of them did not exist, studying Nichiren Shu . was over, we helped clean up. we would not be in this world now. Jung’s master, Rev. Renkei Suzuki of I was surprised to see so many people People often ask me where they will go Myogyoji Temple in Kanagawa Prefecture, participate in the Bon Dance. Most of the after they die. It is very easy to answer told Jung Yong Hyun that, after he becomes participants probably did not know the that. They are not in the western world an ordained Nichiren Shu priest, it will be meaning of the dance. That is a shame, or the eastern world or another world his responsibility to propagate Nichiren because it is important to understand far away. They are in this world with us. Shu in South Korea, following in the the meaning. The meaning of the dance I would like to explain the importance footsteps of Rev. Woo Beop-Hyoen who is to give thanks to our ancestors because of the offerings to our ancestors to many has already established Hondoji Temple in we appreciate that we are here because of people in the future. Toechon Gwangji-si, South Korea.

THANK YOU FOR THE PAST SIX MONTHS THIS EDITOR’S FINAL NOTE

it is necessary to communicate with the It has now been a full decade since I was members at all times. Third, Bishop Kanai asked by the former editor of Nichiren Shu taught me that it is very important to have News, Rev. Keiryu Shima, to take over his a lot of questions about various things and position. Though I had been working on to always have excitement for whatever the staffof the paper doing translations I do. and compiling articles from the very first In May 2021, we will be celebrating the issue of the paper in 1976, taking on the 800th Anniversary of Nichiren Shonin’s duties as editor was far beyond anything birth in Hawaii. My training is almost that I was prepared for as an individual. I over, but fortunately I will stay to help with was honored by his trust, but at the same the preparations for the commemorative time I was completely overwhelmed. services in Hawaii as an assistant minister It has been incredibly challenging at By Rev. Jinshi Sasabe for the Nichiren Mission of Hawaii. times, but with the help and support of I’d like to express my gratitude to all the Nichiren Shu community worldwide, There are two reasons why I wanted togo to the members for their kindness to me at everyone at Nichiren Shu Headquarters, Hawaii as an overseas missionary trainee. all times and their constant support of the the people at NOPPA, and help from the First, my cousins live in Vancouver, Cana- Mission. I think that the role of a priest ministers and members of the international different throughout the world. da, and I visited them many times since I is to convey the teachings of the Buddha Sanghas it was possible. There is no way I Their enthusiasm to spread the was a child. I also visited various countries, and deliver the power of the Buddha to the could have done this alone. There are far is amazing, and Nichiren Shu News is such as India, with my father. That got me people who need it. So, I will try my best too many people to thank individually said to be a helpful tool in propagating interested in foreign culture. to propagate the merits of the Odaimoku over these years of working on the paper, Nichiren Shu. Next, I trained at Ikegami Honmonji to as many people as possible in Hawaii. but there are many genuine friendships I will be stepping down as editor at the Temple in Tokyo, which is one of the I must return to Japan to obtain a special that have grown out of this experience. end of the year, and I am passing the baton major Nichiren Shu temples, for a year visa from the American Embassy in Together, we have been able to move the to Rev. Sensho Komukai, who has also been after graduating from university. Many Tokyo. Therefore, Iam returning to Japan paper forward. translating and writing articles for the foreigners came to the temple, and temporarily but I will certainly return to I would like to especially thank the paper. Rev. Komukai has my full support, they asked me a lot of questions about the Nichiren Mission of Hawaii as soon assistant editors, Revs. Shinkyo Warner and and I know that he will do great things in Buddhism. I couldn’t answer their ques- as my visa is granted. Ryuei McCormick, as well as our art direc- this role, and I encourage everyone to help tions sufficiently in English, and I was Thank you everyone! See you soon! tor Alan Rowe, for all of their incredible him in this new endeavor. quite frustrated. That is why I came to work and commitment to putting I hope all of you will continue to Hawaii as an overseas missionary trainee. out a quality paper. I would also like support Nichiren Shu News so that it will I have had many valuable experiences to especially thank my dear friend, continue to help propagate the Lotus Sutra that I never would have experienced in professional photographer Jan Louy, who throughout the world! Japan. After spending six months in has been a tremendous source of support I want to thank you everyone for your Hawaii, I learned three important lessons and inspiration over the years. support! It has been my privilege and for my future. First, it is important to As the editor of Nichiren Shu News, honor to work with all of you. express myself clearly to others. Second, I was able to connect with members of —Sandra Seki, Editor

Calendar for December 2019–January 2020

DEC 8 Jodo-e (Enlightenment Day) commemorating the day JAN 1 Memorial Service for Shonin, one of the six main disciples when the Buddha attained Enlightenment. of Nichiren Shonin. DEC 31 New Year’s Eve Service; Bell Ringing Ceremony JAN 13 Minobusan Opening Ceremony for the New Year at Kuonji Temple held throughout Japan. JAN 21 Memorial Service for Nichiro Shonin, one of the six main disciples of Nichiren Shonin

Nichiren Shu News c/o The Head Office of Nichiren Shu, 1-32-15 Ikegami, Ota-ku, Tokyo 146-8544, Japan; Tel. +81-3-3751-7181, E-mail: [email protected] Nichiren Shu News was founded by the Nichiren Shu Overseas Propagation Promotion Association (NOPPA), Nichiyu Mochida, President. Funding is provided by NOPPA and the Head Office of Nichiren Shu, Hosei Nakagawa,Chief Administrator. Editorial Board Sandra Seki, Editor, Ryuei McCormick, Assistant Editor, Keiryu Shima, Chief Advisor, Hoyu Maruyama, Kanshu Naito, Shinkyo Warner, Advisors. Art Director Alan Rowe