Newsletter No. 11

Three Wheels NEWS London Shogyoji Trust January 2007 Number 11 THREE WHEELS ACTIVITIES The 71st London Eza held on 17th December 2006 In the weeks leading up to the 71st London Eza Three with enthusiasm. Having just returned recently from Wheels underwent major renovations, including a Japan I was personally delighted to witness Dharma complete rewiring, the fitting of a new boiler and two friends working together so harmoniously and happily, new washrooms, repairing of various leaks and so just like I had seen at Shogyoji. on. Both visitors to and residents of Three Wheels At the Eza Reverend Kemmyo Sato, just returned from will undoubtedly appreciate the greater comfort and Japan the previous evening, gave a short talk about facilities. Deep gratitude must therefore go to the his impression of his forty days away. In particular members of the Shogyoji Samgha, both in Japan and he described attending a conference about the work the United Kingdom, whose dana, in the form of both of D.T. Suzuki, and told us about the wonderful money and physical labour, made these improvements encounters he made with many young scholars there. possible. On behalf of everyone who attends Three Several of these scholars were so moved to hear of Wheels, thank you all! Sensei’s encounter with D.T. Suzuki that they came to tears. Reverend Sato was pleased to discover that In particular the current residents of the Three Wheels these young academics were aware of the dimension taya, Mrs. Hiroko Sato, and the Punwani and Ishii of religious experience that lies beyond the reach of families worked extremely hard to clean up the temple the intellect alone. so that it would be ready in time for the Eza, and endured a great deal of disruption to their daily lives In addition Reverend Sato talked about his happiness with great humour and resourcefulness. A sizable that many English Dharma friends have now visited number of friends of Three Wheels also helped to Shogyoji, and how the ongoing faith-encounter return the temple to a useable condition, and did so between individuals from both Britain and Japan Andrew Webb reading John White’s talk 1 transcends the divisions of culture and nationality. to mitigate and transform the carelessness and waste In this vein he reported listening to a conversation that often characterizes human interactions with the between Reverend Keimei Takehara (the son of wider environment. Shogyoji’s head priest) and Professor John White (Honorary Secretary of the London Shogyoji Trust) in Following the main talk there were reports from two which they agreed that the single important issue, with English people who had recently stayed at Shogyoji regards to the future of Shogyoji and Three Wheels, is temple in Japan. As one of these two I will have to not institutions, buildings, or organisational structures, leave it to someone else to give their impressions but the attainment of faith by individuals. elsewhere. For myself, however, I was delighted that so many English members of Three Wheels have now Professor John White was unable to attend the visited the samgha in Japan and have a deeper mutual Eza and on his behalf Andrew Jishin Webb read appreciation of the wonderful nature of the Shogyoji out a talk which the Professor had recently given Dharma movement. at Shogyoji Temple. It was entitled, ‘Reflections Arising from Amida’s Eighteenth Primal Vow’ and Finally the Eza concluded with a party; including a was both an exposition of the interconnectedness meal, games and music. Friends of Three Wheels had and interdependence of all things – as described by donated various gifts which were raffled off to raise both Buddhism and modern science – and also a stern money for the London Shogyoji Trust, and Reverend look at the fact that we human beings are a predatory Kenshin Ishii organised an enjoyable and amusing species that most often live in wilful ignorance of our quiz. Gary Robinson, a long-time member of Three impact on the world. Reverend Sato then pointed out Wheels, also performed two very personal pieces of that we should not run away from the uncomfortable music on his guitar which created a very relaxed and truths that Professor White’s talk highlighted, and contented atmosphere or the Three Wheels end of noted the role of repentance in relation to the impact year party. our lives make on the world around us. For example, in Shin Buddhism, we chant a verse of repentance Best wishes to all the friends and members of Three before meals in order not to forget the sacrifices which Wheels and Shogyoji for the year to come! support our existence. It may perhaps also be inferred that cultivation of such a daily awareness may help Andy (Kyoshin) Barritt Hoonko Ceremony at Three Wheels At the 70th London Eza we celebrated Hoonko the 16th September from Japan, this time accompanied Otorikoshi, the annual memorial service to Shinran by his wife and family. Their contribution to Three Shonin the founder of Shin Buddhism, together with Wheels has been greatly valued by all. friends from Japan and all over the United Kingdom including Scotland and Wales. We were also very After these introductions Reverend Sato gave to pleased to welcome a number of first time visitors us a deeply informative talk entitled ‘Difficulties to Three Wheels and hear from them during the Encountered Translating Buddhist Terms into discussion at the end of the meeting. English”, in which he explored these problems in depth, discussing specific examples from his long experience Reverend Kemmyo Sato opened the 70th London Eza by in the field of translating and giving teachings on Shin welcoming four special guests from Japan who live in Buddhist texts to an English speaking audience. the Shogyoji Temple taya: Mr Izumi Ida, his wife Mrs Junko Ida, Mr Satoru Ishii and his wife Mrs Michiko Next the four guests from Japan gave short talks of Ishii. Through their deep interest in the spiritual life greeting and thanks. Mr Izumi Ida gave a warm and of Three Wheels Mr and Mrs Ida promised last year to witty speech in which he likened his attempts to learn annually attend Hoonko Otorikoshi at Three Wheels. English to “running up a down escalator sweating It was a happy occasion for all of us to welcome them profusely”. This led his to reflect on the many obstacles back again. Reverend Sato then introduced Mr and Reverend Sato must have had to overcome when, in Mrs Ishii who are the parents of Reverend Kenshin his mid-fifties, he came to live in London and began Ishii. Kensin-san returned back to Three Wheels on to learn practical English. Mr Ida then paid tribute to 2 “the steady practice of the Buddhist way of life” of it when he delivered one of their malas (a Buddhist Reverend Sato and his wife Hiroko, who, over the last Rosary) to His Holiness the Dalai Lama together with ten years with the support of Professor John White, a letter explaining the aims of their project to promote have been involved in many spiritual exchanges with peace and harmony. Pam expressed her gratitude to a wide and ever increasing circle of individuals and Reverend Sato for making the work of Peace Mala organisations. known to His Holiness which led to them receiving a ‘message of Peace’ and an endorsement of their Reverend Sato then invited everyone present to share project from the Dalai Lama which provided them any comments they may have and welcomed the new with considerable inspiration and encouragement. visitors to Three Wheels. Pam Evans, a director of the ‘Peace Mala’ organisation gave a report on their Andrew Webb work and the contribution Reverend Sato made to From left to right: Mr. Izumi Ida, Mrs. Junko Ida, Mr. Satoru Ishii and Mrs. Michiko Ishii. Reconciliation Ceremony at Three Wheels Saturday, 19th August The Tenth Annual Ceremony to pray for world peace astounding degree of honesty and sincerity on the and reconciliation again included a memorial service part of those who spoke. The veterans of both Japan and for soldiers who died in Burma during the Second Great Britain, the political and BCS representatives, and World war. Reverend Kemmyo Sato of Three Wheels, all talked very candidly, but without rancour of their feelings Representatives from the Japanese Embassy, the Burma about the events of the war, and Satoru Yanagi again Campaign Society and Three Wheels joined war sent a most moving letter in which he recounted how his veterans and members of the public in witnessing visit to Shogyoji at the age of fifty and his subsequent a Buddhist service of sutra chanting and incense encounters at Three Wheels had transformed his offering and in listening to a number of speakers. outlook.Sadly, many veterans who have contributed to the peace dialogue have now passed away or were too unwell to attend. However, it is to be hoped that The meeting was notably characterized by an the extraordinary spirit of reconciliation that the 3 Burma Campaign Society has helped to foster will be human dignity across cultural and racial boundaries. transmitted to future generations. Certainly, as a The memory of the veterans I have encountered young person attending the ceremony, I feel that at Three Wheels will remain as an inspiration to me I learnt of a special form of courage even greater always. than the courage that the veterans displayed in the war; the courage to overcome hatred, bitterness Andy (Kyoshin) Barritt and grief in order to affirm the values of friendship and Philip Malins offering incense at the Reconciliation Ceremony MY JOURNEY TO SHOGYOJI TEMPLE IN JAPAN In November 2006 the great kindness of Rev.

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