Shinmeizan Journal – September 2016

2 September – Father Franco visited the Seimeizan-Schweitzer Temple to celebrate, together with Ryuji, Ryuto and Sayuri, his arrival thirty years ago, and his one-year stay with Tairyu Furukawa’s family.

2-3 September – While in Italy for academic commitments, sister Maria gave two lectures on Christian-Buddhist dialogue at the summer school of theology in Pennabilli, Rimini.

5-9 September – Father Franco and father Pietro guided the annual retreat for the clergy of the Osaka diocesis. It took place at Beppu, Oita Prefecture, and the theme was interreligious dialogue and Christianity’s  relationship with Japan’s other religions.

10-11 September – Father Franco attended the interreligious symposium on the place of mercy in various religions, organised by the Interreligious Dialogue Committee of the Bishops' Conference of Japan. The following day the participants visited the Eiheiji Temple, which was established by Dogen (13th Century), the founder of the Soto Zen School in Japan.

13 September – Father Franco and Father Rocco visited Mr Nakayama, head of the Soto Zen Jokuku Temple in Kumamoto, and also met the kannushi Fujita at the Fujisaki Shinto Shrine also in Kumamoto.

17-20 September – Father Franco, Father Pietro and Sister Maria attended the Assisi interreligious gathering, organized by the Sant’Egidio community on the occasion of the thirtieth anniversary of the Interreligious Day of Prayer for Peace convened by Pope John Paul II in 1986.

25 September – Two members of the Buddhist association Risshokoseikai visited Shinmeizan.

26 September – Father Rocco attended the bimonthly gathering of the Fukuoka Buddhists and Christians Interreligious Exchange Group.

30 September – Mr Markus Meyer, from Sweden, arrived at Shinmeizan. He will stay until 18 October, for an exchange of ides and experiences regarding interreligious dialogue.