Sunday, December 02, 2007

2007 December Message

With Gratitude to the Outgoing Year
Rev. Tetsuya Abe
Acting Chief Hawaii Missionary Area

   On Sunday, November 11, Seicho-No-Ie Hawaii held a Public Lecture at Ala Moana Hotel with Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara, Bishop of U.S. Missionary Headquarters, and Rev. Hiei Ando, National Ordained Minister. It was truly a successful event with 130 attendees in the morning and about 90 in the afternoon. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to all concerned including attendees and staff.

   Before the Public Lecture, the 15th Seicho-No-Ie Hawaii Leaders’ Seminar was held at Jisso Center under the guidance of Rev. Teshigawara, Rev. Ando, Rev. Leslie Iwatani, and myself. About 30 leaders attended the seminar and deepened their awareness of one of the three pillars of the Seicho-No-Ie teachings, "All religions emanate from one universal God." The seminar basically consisted of what we had learned at the Special Conference for World Peace with Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi in New York, namely about Islam.

   You can refer to other articles of those events in the Newsletter; however, I would like to mention my personal impression.

   At the Leaders’ Seminar, I was in charge of the lecture titled, "Seicho-No-Ie and the Oneness of All Religions." Since Rev. Teshigawara advised me to include an introduction to Islam in my lecture, I studied very hard about Islam even though it was for a short time. By studying about Islam and listening to three other lectures at the seminar, I was reminded of the profoundness, beautifulness and mercifulness of Islam which I learned in New York from Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, vice president of SNI, and Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl, and I strongly resolved to try to be familiar with Islam as much as possible.

   Regarding the Public Lecture, to our surprise and joy, we had an unexpected number of participants, including almost 40 first-timers. Publicizing in The Honolulu Advertiser was a great success; however, I believe creating an attractive flyer, including writing and improving the contents, distributing them with love, and promoting the event to our families, friends, and others also contributed to our success. In addition, a week before the Public Lecture, 10 SNI leaders visited about 200 neighbors on Matlock Ave. and distributed a packet containing a Truth of Life magazine, public lecture flyer, and good-word card. This was also very effective especially from the spiritual point of view. Of course, it goes without saying that the attendees are the greatest contributors to our events.

   By the way, we only have one month left to this year. How was this year for you? By recalling what happened to you this year, you will find many happy, encouraging, and grateful things. On the other hand, you may find unhappy, sorrowful, and painful matters. Please reflect upon yourself calmly and be grateful for the positive happenings from the bottom of your heart. And also be grateful to the negative incidents by believing that they polish and train your soul, and elevate you to be a very considerate person.

   For myself, it was a year filled with exciting changes. In the first half of the year, I was assigned to Hong Kong and Germany to conduct activities there, and came to Hawaii on June 1st to assume the position of Acting Chief of Hawaii Missionary Area. It seemed to be an unanticipated huge role for me; however, thanks to the love and contribution of our leaders and members, I managed to do my job without any problems so far. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Lord of Seicho-No-Ie, to Dr. Masaharu Taniguchi, Rev. Seicho Taniguchi, Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, and all of you who have provided me with countless and priceless support in various ways.

   Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Friday, November 02, 2007

2007 November Message

For our beloved Earth
Rev. Tetsuya Abe,
Acting Chief Hawaii Missionary Area

   With the cool morning and evening temperatures, we can feel autumn in the air. My wife and I love this season very much because of the breeze and birds cheerfully singing in the morning as we practice Shinsokan Meditation. Feeling this seasonal change and seeing a beautiful sunset over the magnificent sea, I can sense that "the Earth is alive!"

   We will soon have a free Public Lecture on Sunday, November 11 at Ala Moana Hotel. Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara, Bishop of United States Missionary Headquarters, and Rev. Hiei Ando, National Ordained Minister, will guide us with their inspiring lectures. Please look at the attached flyer once again. Let us share the joy of learning and practicing the teachings with your families, relatives, neighbors, and friends. I am looking forward to seeing you there.

   Recently, there was an announcement that this year's Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Al Gore, former U.S. Vice President, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It is the second time for the Nobel Peace Prize to be awarded to persons who contributed to environmental preservation activities following Wangari Maathai of Kenya, vice minister of environment, in 2004.

   In Seicho-No-Ie, Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, vice president of Seicho-No-Ie, continues to teach us that the issue of "Environment, Peace and Resources" has been closely connected for years; therefore, to realize peace by faith, we need to take action to preserve our environment from a religious perspective. Namely, we care for Earth and save energy as a manifestation of deeds of love based upon the teaching of "Be grateful to the whole universe" as stated in "Divine Message of Grand Harmony." I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Dr. Masaharu Taniguchi who founded the teachings, and strive to put into practice the teachings given in accordance with current situations by Rev. Seicho Taniguchi and Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi.

   In the Hawaii Missionary Area, we are heading in the direction of focusing on the green issue, thanks to our members’ cooperation. At the leader's seminar held at Jisso Center from August 31st to September 2nd 2007, Gary Tashiro, president of Seicho-No-Ie Hawaii, delivered a wonderful lecture on why Seicho-No-Ie is involved in ecological issues by presenting the message by Rev. Seicho Taniguchi and Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi as well as the U.S. movement policy for 2007, and he introduced his family's eco-friendly actions. After his lecture, all participants who were inspired by his lecture discussed what we could do as a group and their ideas were given to Clifford Nishimura, committee chairman of environmental issues in the Missionary Area. In addition, I have heard that our friends on the neighbor islands are now participating in these activities in their own way.

   We attended the in-person meetings of the SNI, Inc. Board of Directors at the New Gardena Hotel from October 12 to 14. Among the 22 participants at the meeting were Gary Tashiro, Gordon Ogi, Kevin Ichishita (SNI, Inc. Board members from Hawaii), Rev. Leslie Iwatani and myself. We discussed how to move forward in the International Peace by Faith Movement in the United States.

   Rev. Teshigawara taught us in the meetings, "The more we understand the teachings of Seicho-No-Ie and deepen our realization of the truth, the more we will want to do something good for the environment. To practice the teachings and to care for the Earth are one."

   How about sharing your experiences to save energy or do something friendly for the Earth? I welcome your comments. Ph: 537-6965, FAX: 524-9026, E-mail: snihi@hawaii.rr.com, Both English and Japanese are available. Thank you very much.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Training

   Our household policy for child raring is not to force the child what she doesn't want. However, she is still using a diaper after her three-year-old birthday, we decided to have her take to the bathroom even though she feels annoyed. At first she couldn't pee-pee at all, my wife dared to remove her diaper but put her underpants. As a result our daughter wet her pants as expected, however, after that accident, whenever she wants to go to bathroom she came to call my wife and said that she wants to go there. She seems still to be unwilling to sit on the toilet, its success rate is increasing.

 I have learned through my daughter that a new born baby has an ability to suck on something but cannot eat without learning how to do. What I saw my daughter learning various things step by step impressed me that I was raised like this way and I've been now learning one by one.

  English didn't emerge from my mouth just after I arrived here and there was a chance that I stopped to say something when I wanted to say actually, but through my situation that I have to communicate with other members in English in my daily work, my English is improving little by little. I appreciate this environment.

  I recalled the teaching that says "Do Your Best to Fully Utilize the Present Moment" and want to put it into practice in my daily life.

-TA

Thursday, August 02, 2007

2007 August Message

Seicho-No-Ie Is Wonderful! Let Us Express Words of Joy!
Rev. Tetsuya Abe
Actind Chief, SNI Hawaii Missionary Area

   It has been a month and a half since I arrived here in Hawaii. I cannot find the appropriate words to express my appreciation to you for your heartfelt hospitality and countless support that you have extended to me. On July 6, my wife and 2-year-and-10-month-old daughter happily joined me to start our new life. It is a great pleasure for us to join you to promote our movement that conveys the wonderful Seicho-No-Ie teachings here in Hawaii.

   One of the things that impressed me the most since I arrived is that whomever I met kindly said, "Please tell me whatever you need" or "I want to do anything that I can to help you." This fills my heart with a deep sense of gratitude. Again, thank you very much for your kindness.

   Well, as you already know, Dr. Masaharu Taniguchi, Holy Master, founded Seicho-No-Ie to enlighten our way of thinking by using the creative power of words which will lead to a happy and cheerful life and in the end realize world peace. Dr. Taniguchi taught about "Power of Words" in Truth of Life, Volume 30 as follows:

   As thus mentioned, we need to pay attention to our words. The Bible says that the "Word is God and everything is created by words." In this way, it is true that the key to happiness is in our words. Therefore, it is Seicho-No-Ie's Humanity Enligtenment Movement that stresses the importance of “Words” to use and read only good words. And it lets all mankind know the power of words and to draw out their divine nature with good words.
(Seimei no Jisso "Truth of Life" Vol. 30, p. 10)


   For the sake of putting the spirit of Seicho-No-Ie into practice in your daily life, "Sundial Diary" was published at end of last year (Edited by Mrs. Junko Taniguchi, Vice President of the White Dove Association, it is not yet available in English). The diary encourages you to record only what is positive and joyful, and words of gratitude.

   Since keeping a diary from the beginning of this year, I feel I’ve become good at finding praiseworthy points in people and things, and in deepening my faith that whatever happens to me is only to elevate my soul. Incidentally, almost everyday I write, "May God's infinite love flows into all members in Hawaii and make them all happy and prosperous" which also gives me a great sense of joy.

   So let us record only the good in our minds. And lead a joyful, cheerful and happy life. Then manifest and sincerely extend that to everyone around you! Thank you very much!

Monday, July 02, 2007

Aloha Message!

Aloha! Mahalo Nui Loa! Thank you very much!

   I am Rev. Tetsuya Abe and I have been assigned to the Hawaii Missionary Area as Acting Chief to succeed Rev. Shozo Sawa who will be retiring at the end of June.

   It is my great pleasure to meet you all. I was in Hawaii in 2000 to attend the 19th International Spiritual Training Seminar at Jisso Center when I was a reporter at the Public Information Department, Seicho-No-Ie International Headquarters. It seems only yesterday that we were greeted by the bright blue sky and radiant smiles of all the members here. By participating in the seminar, I was extremely moved to share the joy of believing in the absolute Goodness of God with people of various cultural backgrounds. Then and there, I had a dream to join the movement, expanding the joy of practicing the teachings of SNI with those in the United States.

   After I was transferred to the International Department in 2002, I was assigned to support leaders in Europe and South Korea, attending many seminars as the minister representing International Headquarters. I met many wonderful members at the Spiritual Training Seminars and Leaders Seminars held in South Korea and Europe, as well as Readers Meetings and Leaders Seminar in Hong Kong. At these seminars, we studied together the basic teachings of SNI such as, "Man is a child of God," "Our environment is a reflection of our mind," and "All religions emanate from one universal God" and shared the joy of practicing the teachings with the attendees. Through these experiences, I have gained an invaluable spiritual asset that encouraged me to propagate the teachings of SNI in the global arena.

   Now, I am honored to join you here in Hawaii as a person responsible to promote the Humanity Enlightenment Movement-International Peace-by-Faith Movement. I would like to keep in mind the fact that the SNI movement in Hawaii has a long, valuable history and there are many distinguished senior members who have dedicated themselves. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to them as well as to Rev. Shozo Sawa who has given priceless guidance and Rev. Leslie Iwatani who has long contributed to the movement here.

   I will strive to develop our movement and make as many people as possible happy by deeply awakening to the basic teaching that we are children of God as taught by Dr. Masaharu Taniguchi, studying the teachings as delivered according to current situations by Rev. Seicho Taniguchi, President of SNI, and Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, Vice President, and following the guidance given by Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara, Bishop of U.S. Missionary Headquarters.

   Actually, since the day I arrived at Honolulu Airport, I have felt like I AM already an AMERICAN and a HAWAIIAN. Let us join hands and promote the International Peace-by-Faith Movement in a bright and cheerful manner. Thank you very much! Mahalo Nui Loa!

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

I had a relatively long talk with my wife on the phone. I mainly reported her on how my work at Matlock Center, a base of propagating the teachings of Seicho-No-Ie in Hawaii, is going and also how our future life here will be going. I am now getting the picture about activities in this Missionary Area. What I can say now is all people here are kind, friendly and enthusiastic about learning the teachings of Seicho-No-Ie. Every single man and woman who I met told me like, "If you have some problem, please tell me without hesitation." I feel relieved every time I hear that. I would like to make a further effort to meet their expectation and contribute to expanding our movement that makes people happy in a real sense.

-TA

Saturday, June 02, 2007

Just Arrived!

  I arrived at Honolulu airport on 10:00. I was honorly greeted by Rev. and Mrs. Shozo Sawa, Rev. and Mrs. Leslie Iwatani, Mr. and Mrs. Gary Tashiro and Mrs. Edna Nishimura. It was a first step for me to lead a new life in Hawaii. Rev. Sawa will be retired at the end of this month, therefore, I will be assigned as Acting Chief of Hawaii Missionary Area. I would like to be active and helpful to contribute to spreading the teachings of Seicho-No-Ie as much as possible.
  Since Rev. Sawa is going to return to Japan on 23rd this month, he lost no time in succeeding his job and gave me some explanation on his work in a concise manner.
In the evening, I entered a Japanese restaurant where I ate curry and rice. But unfortunately it included four loafs of beef, I could not eat them. Other than that, it was satisfactory.
  Last not but least, I really appreciate who support me in various ways.

Thursday, May 17, 2007

VISA

  Today, I went to the U.S. embassy in Tokyo with my wife to be interviewed for R-1 and R-2 VISA, or a Non-immigrant visa for religious affiliated people and their family. Thefefore, we asked a nearby nursery school to take care for our 2-year-and-8-month old daughter beforehand.
  However, there was an abrupt accident. The daughter got a high fever of 40 degrees centigrade yesterday and went to see our home doctor. He diagnosed her as a simple cold but since the fever was really high, the nursery school isn't supposed to accept such a sick kid. And we also cannot leave her home alone. We were really at a loss, then, my wife consulted my younger sister who worked as a public nurse by phone. She immediately lent a helping hand to search for a service available such an emergency. It is fortunate to say that such a service is accessible in Nagareyama City where we live. My sister gave my wife some information of facilitator of "Family Support," including her name and phone number.
  My wife called the facilitator in no time whether someone can come home to take care of our sick kid. She was kind enough to make an effort to look for someone available, and she ended up finding a very kind elderly woman who deals with this situation. We were astonished to see that happened so smoothly and were grateful for all concerned.
  Today, when we saw the woman, Mrs. Watanabe, at our home in the morning, we were impressed by her tender and mild atmosphere. Though our daughter burst into tears when my wife and I left home, but according to Mrs. Watanabe, she's stopped crying for ten minutes or so and started to play in a cheerful manner.
  At the U.S. embassy, we had to wait more than an hour and half before our interview. The officer we met pointed out a lack of document, therefore, our section which is responsible for the matter started to contact with our U.S. organization to meet their demand. I've heard that when it arrives at the embassy, we are going to obtain R-1 and R-2 visa and are able to go to Hawaii as scheduled.

-TA

Sunday, May 06, 2007

Religion and Me

There was an eye-catching story that tells "Religion now getting an 'A' at U.S. universities" on the May 3rd issue of International Herald Tribune. According to the article, two-third of 112,000 freshmen surveyed said they prayed and almost 80 percent believed in God. The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 by Islamic extremists and increasing number of international students seem to be some of the reasons.

When asked why I came to believe in the religion that I trust, though it is not easy to answer in a concise manner, I will reply that the religion has a dynamic power to change your life.

I was introduce to the religion, which is called Seicho-No-Ie(SNI) or home of infinite happiness and prosperity, by my parents, but it was when I was 18 years old that I started to learn the SNI teachings with passion. Before that I considered religion as something that helps people who are not confident or independent. When I attended a spiritual training seminar in Uji temple in Japan, however, I completely change my mind toward religion; A true religion has a power to change your life in the right direction and guide you forever.

That experience in Uji was a real eye-opener that I never, ever forgot through my life. Rev. Kamino Kusumoto, elderly SNI ordained minister, who does not speak fluently but speaks words by words in a heartfelt way, shared the attendee with how he devoted all his life into the way propagating the teachings. Listening to that, I realized that I had only understood the SNI teachings superficially but rather I should put it into practice to my everyday life.

Since then, my life, fate and environment have completely changed and began my new life as giving spiritual gift to others.

One year after I joined SNI International Headquarters in 1992, the International Peace by Faith movement was launched. After being involved in a youth movement for 5 years, I was transferred to Public Informaition Department where I was in charge of International affairs. Reading reports on events held in a global arena and writing articles, my enthusiasm to the movement was bubbling up and desired to share the spiritual joy with people of all over the world by attending those events. At last I attended an International Spiritual Training Seminar held in Hawaii in 2000, where I was deeply inspired and encouraged. Then I started to learn English so as to propagate the teachings in English and am now doing that.

Before participating the spiritual training seminar at Uji temple, I never dreamed of engaging in religion or working in English. Now I am going to Hawaii to make as many people as possible by conveying the teachings. Religious faith certainly changed my life brilliantly.

-TA

Saturday, April 14, 2007

Go to Hawaii

Long Time No See!

I am now assigned to go to Hawaii as Acting Chief of Seicho-No-Ie Hawaii Missionary Area on the day of July 1st. It was adopted at the Seicho-No-Ie Top Level Conference held on March 7th. My wife and I are devoting ourselves to preparation for the move, because I am scheduled to go there earlier than expected though the date of departure isn't fixed.

After the decision, I became to feel that I am supported by much more people than I recognized. Some are kind enough to be pleased with my move as their own affairs, while others worry about my family members. Fortunately my wife likes to go abroad and is eager to learn English so that she can communicate with local people there, therefore, my wife, my 2-year-old daughter and I take this as an ouspicious occasion.

-TA

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Early Bird

What time do you usually wake up in the morning? You may say it depends on what time you go to bed. It is true.

About a dozen years ago, a Japanese woman, a prestigious environmentalist as well as a simultaneous interpreter, published a bestseller book titled, "You can do everything you want by waking up 2 o'clock in the morning." She describes herself "a common household wife" who turned into a interpreter in two years while doing child rearing. But you should not be deceived the word "common," because she has a graduate degree from Tokyo university, top-notch in Asia.

Setting aside her academic background, however, according to her book, she always goes to bed 8 o'clock in the evening and wakes up 2 o'clock in the morning. This is why she can make use of even 4 hours for her own affairs before every other family members wake up.

I was impressed by her way of living, but I cannot do the same thing. But I agree with her idea of making use of morning time. It is true that increasing numbers of companies in Japan are holding a morning in the meeting rather than in the evening. They say it helps employees work more productively.

As for me I usually wake up 5 o'clock in the morning. I spend one hour doing meditation and Seicho-No-Ie's Holy Sutra reading, which provides me with spiritual enlightenment. In other words, these make up a vital spiritual training for me that enables me to see a brighter side in my life and every man and woman as a child of God. After these conducts, I spend time keeping a diary, watching a movie with a portable DVD player in English, or studying English by using other material. Morning time is said to be compared to gold of the day, I completely agree with this notion.

-TA

Saturday, March 03, 2007

Intercultural Communication

In the end of last month, we had a Delegetes' Conference, at which Seicho-No-Ie movement policy for 2007 was disclosed and discussed by mainly Japanese leaders with a dozen of world leaders. As a member of the International Department of our organization, I took care of those representatives from the U.S., Brazil, South Korea, Taiwan and Germany.

After the Conference, I joined some of the members and went to a sushi restaurant. What the background of them and the languages available are as follows:

 Japanese American who lives in California
    ---- English, Japanese(very little)
 Japanese German who lives in Germany
    ---- German, English, Japanese(to some degree)
 Korean who lives in South Korea
    ---- Korean, Japanese, English(listening only)
 Japanese who lives in Germany
    ---- Japanese, English
 Japanese who lives in Japan but has lived in the U.S.
 for 10 years
    ---- Japanese, English
 Japanese who has lived in Spain for study
    ---- Japanese, Spanish(to some degree)
 And me, who lives in Japan with no experience living
 abroad
    ---- Japanese, English...

We all enjoyed cheerfully talking about sushi and so on. Sometimes the German told us how to call a name of fish in German and some of Japanese encourage westerners raw fish. I believe it was a precious time for all of the participants.

Some say that difference is a source of conflict, but I don't think so. Through this experience, I become more confident that difference is rather a source of abundance.

-TA

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Children learn from learning Parents

I read a piece of issue on the "Asahi Shimbun," Japanese leading Newspaper, that says a child whose parents are enthusiastic with learning something tend to study hard at school. According to the writer, junior high school teacher, when listening spontaneously to conversations among students, he found that they were proud of their parents learning something. A student saying "My mother joins chorus. Her practice sometimes bothers my homework" seems to be proud of her mother, the author said. A further student showed a picture letter drawn by her mother to her company with a happy look.

The teacher introduces this story when he is consulted by some parents who gripe that, "My sons or daughters never study at home. How can I have them work hard?"

I totally agree with him. It is true that Kids want to be proud of their parents. If kids are very young, they undoubtedly imitate what their parents do. From that perspective, I really admire my 80-year-old father-in-law because he keeps studying at the University of Air and leads a vivid life.

As for my wife, while she is rearing a two-year-old daughter, she studies baby massage and the teachings of Seicho-No-Ie, which not only shows how to lead a fruitful life based on true faith but also deals with the latest issue like Climate Change or the state of the art scientific technology. I believe her behavior has a good impact on our kid's education.

Anyway, I will keep it in mind and this blog as much as possible.

-TA

Friday, February 16, 2007

An Awesome Grandma of Saga

I read a very impressive non-fiction book written by a Japanese comedian, Yoshichi Shimada. The book is "Saga no Gabai Bachan," or "An Awesome Grandma of Saga."

The author's father passed away from hibaku, or receiving nuclear radiation during World War 2 in Hiroshima when Shimada was very young. This is why his mother had to work until late night, so he was transferred to a rural town in Saga, western Japan, when he was eight years old from an educational perspective. When he had lived with his mother, though his life was hard and lonely, he led a relatively happy life except for his mother's absence during night time.

Therefore when he heard that he would move to Saga he expected to be a more comfortable life there, while felt isolated being separated from his mother. However he was astonished and shocked to find out that his awesome grandma was further needier than his mother.

What impressed me most is that the awful grandma was an extreme optimist. She once said laughing, "There are two kinds of poor in the world. One is gloomy, the other is cheerful. We're happy because we are cheerful poor. Do not worry about that because it is not recent that we've got poor but we are 'hereditary poor.'" In this way, whatever happened to her, she was never upset and took it in a very positive manner.

Another episode that strikes me is as follows:

Yoshichi: Grandma, I don't understand English at school.
Grandma: Write your answer sheet that "I am Japanese(that I don't need English)."

Y: I am also bad at History...
Grandma: Do you also hate History? Write that I don't care about the past.
(He actually wrote that way but his teacher heavily scolded him...)

Y: I need to write something about my father as my home work, but I don't remember who he is. How do you think I should do?
Grandma: Write only "I DON'T KNOW." with a big letter in the paper.
(He got a perfect score by writing that way)

Other than that, there appears lots of heartfelt community members, teachers, friends and so on.

This book has gotten extremely vogue among Japanese people because it I think speaks well for good old Japanese, which has been fading away these days. The impressions also comes across to me.

The book is written with very plain Japanese, so if you can read Japanese or want to learn Japanese and its heart and culture, I strongly recommend you to read it. It only costs 540 yen or 4.5$.

-TA

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Bridging the Gap

I found a very intriguing story about a Japanese group, members of which kept planting seeds in an abandoned and devastated Chinese village, on the English version of Asahi Shimbun, one of Japanese leading newspaper.

The paper features a serial of issue titled "Bridging the Gap." As you may know the relationship between Japan and China is sour mainly due I think to misunderstandings. I feel very pity of the fact that Japanese soldiers exerted kinds of atrocities on people in China during Japan-China War and we need to reflect upon those situations in a sincere manner, but there is another fact that such brutalities have been much focused on school education in China. More than that, I feel very sorry that some Japanese nationalistic legislators said what hurt Chinese people several times.

Despite that, the news reasonable and moderate citizens keep efforts to bridge the gap pleased and relieved me a lot. The project is organized by Osaka-based nonprofit organization Green Earth Network and its Chinese counterpart office in the city of Datong, Shanxi province over the past 15 years. According to the article, since Shanxi province was the location of harsh combats during the War, when 58-year-old secretary general, Kunio Takami, visited the village and planted for the first time, he was disdained and told as demon. However their continuous dedications broke the ice and started to bear beautiful fruit. The group so far "provided nearly 800,000 apricot saplings to farmers and schools, as well as instructions on how to grow the trees," the issue said.

As a result, once ravaged village was revitalized and local peoples' memories of Japanese military acts were separated from current Japanese people. In August, Takami was awarded to be an honorary citizen. Now that whenever he visits the village, he is greeted by cheers.

I am really moved by the story. Heartfelt dedications by selfless people not only revivified the land but also bridged the gap between China and Japan. Whatever difficulty I face in my life, I want to do what I can step by step. You can read whole story by the address.

http://www.asahi.com/english/Herald-asahi/TKY200702050124.html
-TA

Monday, February 05, 2007

Biofuel Technology

The news on the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change is spreading around the world. We've already known and sensed that human activities have contributed to climate change, but this report is a final declaration for human being to be able to SURVIVE or NOT as a member upon the Earth.

More than that, we have futher news that shows even though the goal is admirable, if the steps to achieve that goal is not appropriate, the outcome will not be good. The article titled "Scientists are taking 2nd look at biofuels Dutch efforts verge on nightmare" may be an eye opener for even those environmentalists enthusiastic about promoting biofuel technology.

According to the article, increasing demand for palm oil in Europe caused devastation of Southeast Asian rain forest. Worse than that, space for the expanding palm plantations was often created by draining and burning peat land, which sent huge amounts of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. As a result, the article said, "Indonesia had quickly become the world's third-leading producer of greenhouse gases that scientists believe are responsible for global warming, ranked after the United States and China, concluded a study released in December by researchers from Wetlands International and Delft Hydraulics, both in the Netherlands." Here is an address of the issue:


http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/01/30/business/biofuel.php

I think we need to concentrate more our energies, technologies and efforts on alternative energy like wind, solar and hydrogen one.

-TA

Saturday, February 03, 2007

Effective Diet

Recently, my wife has successfully losed her weight by about 10 kilograms in the two years and half. But she said that there is no intention for her to slim down but she only hopes to be healthy preparing for the next pregnant, although there is yet any sign.

All she has done is an exercise of stretch, taking the dog for walk and avoiding snack as much as possible. She has eaten regular meals three times a day but prevented foods with beef, pork and poultry by religious and ecological reasons.

Actually, when she gave birth her first baby in August 2004, there was a critical accident that her placenta started to leave the fetus in the womb. Very fortunately, the baby was not damaged by that incident, but so huge was our anxiety. This is why she decided to create a healthy and sound body for a future better childbirth. She is even now keeping these efforts, so I am looking forward the following outcome.

From this fact, I learned that to set a clear goal is really efficient when it comes to realizing your dream. In addition that, if the goal comes from an unselfish desire, you may get to the objective easily.

-TA

Monday, January 29, 2007

Family Reunion

My wife, a 2-year-old daughter and I went to Shizuoka to have a family reunion on Sunday.

Total of 13 family members gathered and enjoyed eating lunch, which some of them sincerely prepared, and chatting. Among of 13 were one boy and two girls of 2 years old and one 5-year-old girl, therefore, the site was filled with cheerul shoutings like a nursery. These kids were really energetic, powerful and persistently asked me to play with. I, who innately like to play with kids, amused them and myself by doing various things. I expected to have been tired at that time, but I wasn't. I suppose this is because not only I give them my energy, but they also provide me with their fresh energy.

The oldest among them was my grandfather, who was celebrated his 88 years old birthday by all participants. Incidentally, his mother, great grand mother to me and passed away about 20 years ago, had lived so long as 99 years and 10 months. We all hope him lead a sound and healthy life.

-TA

Friday, January 26, 2007

State of the Union Address

US President George W. Bush delivered State of the Union Address. I could not listen and watch it, but I read the whole article on the White House's website.

I appreciated that Mr. Bush referred to environmental issues, connecting the environment to national security as a theme of importance. I strongly hope he takes this issue more seriously and put it into practice immediately. Whether what he said is true or not will depend on the kind of budget he will propose for alternative energy development.

However, I am disappointed that he reiterated his justification of his Iraq policies despite the opposition of the American public in the latest election.I accept that U.S. is in a difficult situation in Iraq whatever policy they take, but I hope they reconsider Iraq policy to a direction where international community can cooperate together.

-TA

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

Sundial Diary

I started to keep a diary from the 1st day of the year. However, the diary is different from a common one that you only record what is good in it. You may know that a sundial only show the time when sun is shining, like this, the "Sundial Diary" should be written only the bright side of your life. It was complied under the supervision of Mrs. Junko Taniguchi, Vice President of Seicho-No-Ie White Dove Association.

It has been about three weeks since my wife and I started to write the positive sides of our life, our desire, our gratitude, and so on every day. So far, it has astonishingly been working well. By writing a positive aspect, we unconciously tend to find brigh, pleasing and grateful elements in our daily life. This brings our home happiness and harmony.

This notion is basically suggested by Dr. Masahar Taniguchi, founder of Seicho-No-Ie, over 70 years ago, this idea is I think increasingly necessary this day and age, when bad and negative news are inclined to be broadcasted by mass media.

How about trying at your home?

-TA

Sunday, January 21, 2007

Business Trip to HK

I went to Hong Kong for business purposes from 12th to 15th January. This is the second visit to HK to me within a year. We had Chinese and Japanese readers' meetings, a parents' class and a workshop for executive members in this region. All lectures were delivered in Japanese with a translation into Mandarin Chinese. The main theme provided was "Global Environment Preservation Movement and our ordinary life based on a religious faith."

I am a minister of a religious organization, based on Japan spreading to about 30 countries and regions, which currently focuses on global preservation movement based on a true faith as well as preaches our religious principles. At the meetings in Hong Kong, I told them that what kind of God we believe, how we see this world and what we consume make a big difference when it comes to thinking about world peace.

According to the leaders there, especially in recent years, many many people who live in mainland China have been flooding to Hong Kong. This is why I saw quite a few Chinese people from mainlnad China in the meetings. When I asked some shop workers how to go to a subway station, all of them could not understand English. Therefore what they told me must be true. I felt this is what is Hong Kong because "dynamic change" is one its characteristic.

Friday, January 05, 2007

A Happy New Year!!

I hope you spent a sound and cheerful holiday season.

As for our famiy, my wife and I concentrated on Year End Cleaning at home, Osoji in Japanese, and welcomed the New Year with a fresh feeling. But really unfortunately, all of my family ―my wife, my daughter and I ―had a caught early this month. This is why we spent this new year holiday in the bed!

Now we all are fine. Then, I am grateful to what we can lead an ordinary life without any problem.