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Nichiren Shu News Published by the Head Office of Nichiren-Shu Buddhism & NOPPA Nichiren Shu News Published by the Head Office of Nichiren-shu Buddhism & NOPPA No. 185 August 1, 2011 1 World Missionary Conference in Minobu Rev. Kanjo Bassett the 8 members of International Executive the Nichiren Shonin’s grave (Gobyosho) to Japanese population is shrinking, the country Committee giving all the opportunity to listen pay respects followed by a short memorial has to rebuild, and Nichiren Shu temples in The 8th World Missionary Conference and engage in group discussions and find ceremony held in memory of Oversea’s Japan face shrinking income in the years was held was held from June 15th to the 17th solutions. ministers. This was followed by 2 days of ahead. starting with a short opening ceremony at the Previous conferences were held in Tokyo group discussions. On the last day, the missionaries attended head office of Nichiren Shu then moving to but this year reflected the restrained mood in The challenges facing Nichiren Shu the Kaibyakue service at Kuonji temple Minobusan for the main event. The annual Japan after the Great East Japan Earthquake missionaries are many: declining Japanese celebrating the day of Nichiren’s arrival at conference is an important meeting to and tsunami disasters. Most of the conference American temple populations in America, Minobusan in 1274. It was a fitting end to the discuss missionary challenges and the state took place in Minobu University classrooms. the shortage of native speaking missionaries conference to reflect on Nichiren Shonin’s of propagating the dharma and Nichiren’s Several missionaries said, “It’s like being back in Latin American, the need for more sutra challenges in his own time as the missionaries teachings outside of Japan. This year 17 at school.” books and teaching materials in several headed back to their missions to face their missionary ministers attended along with The first order of business was a visit to languages. All of this takes place while the challenges with renewed spirits and resolve. (clockwise from top) Only steps remain at Myojoji Temple in Iwate prefecture after the tsunami, Rev. Komano talking to evacuee at Kannon Kyokai Miyagi prefecture, Fallen statue of Nichiren Shonin at Unzanji Miyagi prefecture, Rev. Watanabe and members of the Shumuin collecting donations at Kamata Station, Volunteers clearing rubble at Myojoji, priests praying for victims of the tsunami extend the lecture even if we had not completed lectures but also an exchange of ideas Hokekyo Lecture in Cambodia the schedule. After the explanation of Chapter or discussions with Japanese Buddhists. 26 (Darani) we had to take time out for Q&A. Afterwards, all the ministers assembled By Rev. Tsuoh Yokoi In the message, Rev. Watanabe mentioned Many questions were asked about Nichiren Shu. to do a Peace March and joint prayer at Missionary Department, Shumuin how thankful the Japanese people were to For example: Why sutras other than the Lotus Killing Fields, where thousands of people receive donations from villages near Phon Sutra are not recited in Nichiren Shu? Why were killed during the Pol Pot Regime. On June 7, 2011, the Sixth Hokekyo Penh where landmines were still a threat. is the Hokekyo the ultimate Sutra? Why The Theravada, Mahayana and Muslims Lecture was held in Phnom Penh, Also the feeling of “wanting to do something does Nichiren Shu bring the Odaimoku first assembled to hold a prayer for world peace. Cambodia. Catuddisa Sangha (a group for Japan” was deeply felt and appreciated. before all other things and no other special On June 9, Rev. Noda held a talk for some supporting the development of villages in The Hokekyo Lecture in Cambodia has training? If Nichiren Shu expects to receive villagers. The theme of his speech was “Helping Cambodia), the Ministry of Cult and Religion been continuing since 2006 and this is the peace through the Odaimoku what makes one another and cooperation within the of Cambodia, and Nichiren Shu have been sixth year. From the second year, the study it special compared to other religions? So community.” This theme was a request from supporting this activity. Religious members of the Hokekyo, chapter by chapter, has many questions were asked concerning the Cambodian side. During the dictatorship from different groups, Islamic groups, and been conducted by Rev. Yosei Ikegami, of Nichiren Shu and Hokekyo, which showed of Pol Pot, people did not assemble to carry minority ethnic groups of about 150 people Minobusan University. This time, the schedule that the participants were really eager to learn. out things because they feared government crowded the Basak Hall in Phnom Penh. was to cover from Chapter 22 (Transmission) After the lecture, I asked some participants pressure. Everything was done on an individual The event started off with the national anthem through Chapter 28 (Encouragement of their impression. Many said that they were basis. Now, even after the civil war, the villagers of Cambodia followed by a prayer by a 100 Universal-Sage Bodhisattva). Whenever we happy to have an opportunity to study do not know how to cooperate with one priests all chanting in unison. Mr. Min Khin, the hold sessions with Theravada Buddhists, we something about a Japanese Buddhist sect. another. This is one of the reasons for the minister of the Ministry of Cult and Religion must keep in mind that the priests cannot take They also said that they wanted to make slow development among the villagers. They welcomed the attendees and then gave a their meals after noon (vinaya), therefore the use of the words of the Hokekyo and use listened intently to Rev. Noda’s lecture in English silent prayer for the lost lives of the disastrous lectures had to end before noon. We could not it in their meditation. Some wanted not only that was translated into the Khmer language. earthquake that hit Japan on March 11. He was also surprised that Nichiren Shu was able to hold the Hokekyo lecture in Cambodia at such hard times and prayed for the earliest recovery of the devastated areas. He also said he hoped that this friendship between the two countries would continue. Before the lecture began, Rev. Kangyo Noda, the minister in charge of Nichiren Shu Southeast Asia read a message from Chief Administrator, Rev. Shobin Watanabe. Stupa being constructed Stupa being constructed Stupa being constructed 2 No.185, August 1, 2011 Nichiren Shu News Buddhism and International Society (4) Rev. Kanshu Naito, Ph.D Buddhism and America (3) diversification of 1774 against all demands imposed by and experimental nation. He actually r e l i g i o u s Britain, that was the “Intolerable Acts” survived with thoughts changing in the ages Towards the end of 17th century the denominations and, after the Boston Tea Party (1773), a between Puritanism and reason. He, who reins of the theocratic government began what was more, resistance movement against the Tea gave form to a model in this new nation, a to be shaken and new values came to urged the nation Act. The British Army and the colony self-made man, depicted his own attitude captivate people as the expansion of the and churches to be militia collided at Concord and Lexington about life vividly in his most important colonies began. Before that time, religion separated. These and the Revolutionary War began. work, The Autobiography (1818). In this or belief was the important, but slowly also proved to The drafting committee of the autobiography which Americans still now the “age of reason” or the “age of the have been popular declaration, consisting of Thomas Jefferson often read, we can understand how well he enlightenment” began. The colonies Rev. movements leading (1743-1826), Benjamin Franklin (1706-90), acquired Puritan morals and that he spared developed geographically, too. However, Kanshu Naito to the Revolutionary John Adams (1735-1826), etc. promulgated no effort to put them into practice. Here he since the British king tried to own more War. Because the democratized thought the Declaration of Independence on showed 13 virtues to practice in his daily colonies at this time, the regal power and of salvation, teaching the proof that July 4, 1776 and the 13 colonies became life. Like an active and practical man, he big capitalists were linked closely and people were selected by God consisted in independent of their mother country, the gave these virtues from the easier one to came to have common interests with simple and innocent hearts which could British Empire. The Revolutionary War the difficult in his practice. Here are some each other. These powers caused big gaps experience religious passion pushed their ended up in a victory for the colonies interesting virtues: 1. TEMPERANCE: to appear between themselves and the individual values to the front and taught in 1781. The independence of America Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. common people. As the number of people them that they did not need to be afraid of was officially recognized by the Treaty 2. SILENCE: Speak not but what may moving around increased with activated the rulers, so-called “political authority”. of Paris in 1783. The spirits of the benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling distributions of goods, land became the We again understand how religion Declaration of Independence are based conversation. 9. MODERATION: Avoid target for speculation. Unstable factors at helped to save people both politically on the fundamental idea that “All men are extremes; forbear resenting injuries so the bottom of their consciousness clearly and socially in this case and was closely created equal.” The federal government much as you think they deserve. Especially appeared under these circumstances. related with political activities.
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