Nichiren Shu News Published by the Head Office of Nichiren Shu Buddhism & NOPPA No. 217 December 1, 2016 1 Seattle Nichiren Buddhist Church Celebrates 100th Anniversary By Eriko Rowe Photos by Jan Deputy-Louy Mr. Kaoru Mizuno, a Church Board Member, Rev. Chiko Kawaguchi, representative of offers the toast at the celebration banquet. Rev. Junko Kobayashi, Chief Administrator of Mrs. Fusako Kamihara, Church President, presents Nichiren Shu, officiating the Anniversary Service. a commemorative gift to Rev. Chiko Kawaguchi. as Nichiren Shu Buddhists but also to t t The Seattle Nichiren Buddhist Church assimilate with American society. celebrated its 100th Anniversary the The Church quickly established itself first weekend of October. Six of the as both a place for worship and as a Church’s previous resident ministers social center for Japanese-Americans attended the celebration: Rev. Kaishun were Rev. Yushi Hongo and Rev. Keiryo Rev. Ekou Murakami, the Church’s in Seattle, providing various services Nishigaya, Rev. Ryusho Matsuda, Rev. Inoue from the Head Office of Nichiren resident minister, planned the service. and community activities. Shokai Kanai, Rev. Taiga Ichikawa, Shu, Rev. Shoda Kanai from Kannonji, “The 100th Anniversary has been on my During WWII, the Church was forced Rev. Shobo Mitomo, and Rev. Kanjin Las Vegas, Rev. Shinko Matsuda from mind from the time I arrived in Seattle to close its doors. Many members either Cederman. San Jose Myokakuji Betsuin, Rev. Eisei two years ago,” she explained. “I wanted left the U.S. or were sent to internment The two-day celebration started with Ikenaga from the Nichiren Buddhist to make this a splendid event and sought camps. Fortunately, it remained a Banquet Dinner held on Saturday, Temple of Portland, and Rev. Tetsudo advice from Rev. Chiryo Moriwaki undisturbed during the war. Once the October 1. Around 170 people attended Takasaki from Nichren Buddhist and other senior ministers.” The altar war was over, members re-opened the the banquet, with more than 100 guests International Center. The master of showcased the Church’s treasure, the Church and provided shelter for people from outside the Church. Longtime ceremonies was Rev. Kobun Sasaki, Omandala Gohonzon created by the who were released from the camps but members and past resident ministers Manager of the International Affairs 18th Archbishop of Nichiren Shu, had no place to live. shared heartfelt stories while enjoying Division, Missionary Division. Nichimyo Asahi. Archbishop Asahi Mrs. Misao Korekiyo is a 97-year-old great food and musical entertainment. The service opened with a floweroffer- was known for his contributions to member. “Coming back, we were so An Anniversary Service was held the ing by an Ochigo Parade of children. international propagation. pleased and appreciated finding the next morning on Sunday, October 2, Kirisange, colorful lotus petals, were Rev. Ryucho Oka brought the Oman- Church open,” she explained. During officiated by Rev. Chiko Kawaguchi, thrown into the air symbolizing the dala with him from Japan when he was the service, she was officially recognized representing Rev. Junko Kobayashi, Buddha’s blessing while Rev. Kawaguchi dispatched as the first resident minister for her long years of devotion to the Chief Administrator of Nichiren recited Keisanmon, Message to the when the Seattle Nichiren Buddhist Nichiren Shu. She brought her treasured Shu. Sub-officiants were Rev. Ryusho Buddha. Church was established in 1916. Omandala, which had been given to Matsuda from San Jose Myokakuji 160 people attended the Anniversary her by the fifth resident minster of the Betsuin, Rev. Shokai Kanai from Service, including Church members, Church, Rev. Kanjitsu Iijima. He created Kannonji, Las Vegas, Rev. Chiryo ministers and other guests from various it while they were in an internment Moriwaki from Hokkeji, Hokkaido, temples in North America, Japan and camp in Idaho. “Whatever happened, and Rev. Ekou Murakami, the current Hawaii. Dozens of people from Japan I prayed. The Nichiren Shu faith has resident minister of the Seattle Nichren made a special pilgrimage to witness helped me live this long.” Buddhist Church. Assisting ministers and celebrate this historic moment for (continues on page 2) t t the Church. The Church is the second oldest Nichiren Shu institution in North America. It began with a group of devoted Nichiren Shu Buddhists in Seattle’s Japanese-American community. They decided to name it a “Church” to maintain their identity Children all dressed up for the Ochigo Parade. Mrs. Misao Korekiyo, a longtime member of the Colorful Kirisange Lotus Petals rain down The Omandala Gohonzon, written Rev. Ryucho Oka and the founders of the Church Seattle Nichiren Buddhist Church received a special at the beginning of the Anniversary Service. by Archbishop Nichimyo Asahi in 1916. on its first anniversary in 1917. award for her long years of devoted service. 2 Nichiren Shu News No. 217, December 1, 2016 people who have worked so hard to celebration saying, “It was truly Seattle (continues from page 1) build this Church and sustain it for a wonderful. I felt harmony and Itai century,” he said. He served in Seattle Doshin: many bodies united as one t t Also on display was the intricate from 2003 to 2008 and made special mind. This Church was created for relief of the Jigage, Chapter XVI of the efforts for propagation at a time when first and second generation Japanese- Lotus Sutra, carved in cherry wood by the American people were skeptical Americans, but now their children Mr. Kazuto Mishima, an 89-year-old about the religious activities of foreign who had come to Sunday School are member. “I only worked on it when I priests following 9/11. supporting the Church, and other was feeling good and in a good mood,” While the Church has mainly Americans have been joining. This he said. “It took me two years to finish.” served Americans of Japanese descent, Church’s future is bright.” His life has not been easy. He grew in recent years it has also become a Rev. Murakami has a renewed sense comfortable home for those with other of mission to keep the Church as a up in the U.S. but had to go back to Jigage, verse section of Chapter 16 of the Japan as WWII neared. He was almost Lotus Sutra, carved by Mr. Kazuto Mishima. backgrounds. Norma Middleton moved comfortable home for members while deployed as a Kamikaze pilot against the with her family from Salt Lake City, also making it more open and accessible U.S. He returned to the U.S. after the the celebration with his family. “I was Utah, and they all became members so that all people who are interested in war. Looking back on his life he said, so moved that I could come back with of the Church. “We felt so welcome Buddhism can easily share our practice “Nichiren Shu has been giving me the my son and see him in the Ochigo from the first time, and we became of the Wonderful Dharma. power to live.” Parade. I have such gratitude for the part of the family,” she said. “We like Beaming with a smile, Rev. Murakami Rev. Murakami. She is great, young, concluded the service thanking all compassionate and knowledgeable.” the attendees. “I was so moved by the Another member, Elizabeth Aurich, is beauty of the sound of Odaimoku, and an artist who has been actively involved especially the Four Great Vows. I am in the Church’s events as a volunteer. pleased that we could create this event “I was searching for a safe place for me with all these people attending. I want religiously and emotionally, and I found this Church to continue as a small but that here. People here are so warm. It’s bright beacon in Seattle.” a fun community, with dancers and After the service, everyone shared a musicians.” bountiful lunch served in the Church’s Rev. Shokai Kanai, another former Members from the Sunday School, Fujinkai Hall. It was a joyful time of resident minister, summed up the which was originally established in 1916. reunion. Past resident ministers were especially pleased to see familiar faces of people whom they had taught in REVEREND KANNO PREACHES (45) the Church’s Sunday School program decades earlier. The Seattle Nichiren Buddhist Church has created a tightly “ Those who hear this sutra, knit community and nurtured a strong cause others to hear it, keep it, sense of family with other Nichiren Shu cause others to keep it, copy it, Buddhists in North America. cause others to copy it or offer The 14th resident minister of the Rev. Ekou Murakami, Resident Minister of the Church, Rev. Shobo Mitomo, attended Church, concludes the Anniversary Service. flowers, incense, necklaces, banners, streamers, canopies, perfumed oil, and lamps of butter oil to a copy of it, will be Buddhism Q&A (4) palms pressed together, and spoke to the Buddha.” These examples show that able to obtain immeasurable By Rev. Gyokai Sekido, Ph.D. Gassho is the most suitable method to merits.” express the heart of worship and respect — Lotus Sutra, Chapter XVII, What Is Gassho? to the Buddha. The heart of the Buddha, Buddha The Variety of Merits Gassho, is the gesture of joining one’s Nature, lives in the minds of all people. palms and putting them to the breast All sentient beings equally possess the as a token of reverence. Place the palms seeds of Buddhahood and therefore “Immeasurable Merits” together and keep a slightly hollow have the potentiality of realizing We Buddhists show our thankfulness to our ancestors, friends and space between them to worship the Buddhahood. Gassho is the precious others who have passed away and from whom we have received Buddha.