Wednesday, January 02, 2008

2008 January Message

For a Year of Practicing the "Sundial Way of Life"
Rev. Tetsuya Abe
Acting Chief Hawaii Missionary Area

   A Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you are having a happy and cheerful holiday season.

   My family and I will spend this holiday season outside of Japan for the first time. (I am writing this article on December 13.) Since I came to Hawaii, I've often felt surprised or awakened because there are many things that I've never experienced before. In other words, I've found different ways of thinking or customs that are not familiar to me. I believe such experiences enrich me spiritually and dramatically elevate my soul. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for this wonderful opportunity and to all the leaders and members who support us.

   We are going to have an International Spiritual Training Seminar from February 22 to 24 after three years. It is a great opportunity for us to be spiritually awakened and to learn to improve our daily life. The seminar will be conducted by ordained ministers including Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara, Bishop of United States Missionary Headquarters. Please be sure not to miss this event and to invite your relatives and friends who live out of state. We also need a kitchen staff of volunteers.

   We are fortunate to have an inspiring message from Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, vice president of Seicho-No-Ie, in this newsletter. In his message, he taught us to get back to the basics of the SNI spirit, namely, the "sundial way of life." He means we should not lead a life ruled by desire by focusing on what is inefficient or lacking but lead a life of gratitude for "nature's blessings" or things "we have been given," which is the Seicho-No-Ie way of life. Please read with appreciation his message over and over again.

   Based on the guidance by Rev. Taniguchi, let us be a happy family with all family members enlightened by practicing Shinsokan Meditation at least once a day. And let us practice the sundial way of life that concentrates on what is granted, blessed, and positive. And for living an eco-friendly life, I recommend you consider whether or not, whatever you are purchasing, is truly necessary. If you buy what is unnecessary, it is not only an economic burden but also increases rubbish. I've heard that a dedicated SNI member is trying to buy products with an early expiration date so that she can save them from being discarded. And if you turn on the air conditioner, set the temperature at 82 degrees. This kind of "deeds of love" seems small but in large quantities it has the power to change the world.

   In the Hawaii Missionary Area, we promoted the "1000 Readings of the Holy Sutra" since January 2005. Thanks to many of our members' participation, words of truth are resounding throughout the Hawaii Missionary Area. Reading the Holy Sutra to our ancestors is highly recommended; however, I would like to end this activity because I am now preparing to begin another activity. I would like to ask for your understanding. Nevertheless, when I receive your performance chart for reading the sutra, I will compile them carefully as before.

   I mentioned in the beginning that I am writing this article on December 13; come to think of it, December 13 is the day Dr. Masaharu Taniguchi received a revelation, "Stand up now!" from the Lord of Seicho-No-Ie 79 years ago. Although Dr. Taniguchi received Divine Messages such as "Matter does not exist" or "Only the True-Image World exists," he did not think he could afford to establish an organization to enlighten the world after his retirement at that time. However, when he got robbed twice, he resolved to propagate the Seicho-No-Ie way of life to the world and took immediate action.

   Let us be grateful to Dr. Masaharu Taniguchi who wholeheartedly dedicated all his life to propagating the teachings, and to Rev. Seicho Taniguchi and Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi who continue to give us the teachings in this modern age. And let us propagate the teachings as Dr. Taniguchi had shown us so that we can establish a true paradise. Thank you very much!