Journal May-June 2017

Main activities of interreligious dialogue at Shinmeizan during the months of May and June 2017

May 2   Ven. Dai TATSUTA, Head of the Sairen Temple of Imari (Pure Land Buddhism) Visits Shinmeizan accompanied by some friends.

May 5   Ven. Eryo HARA, head of the Choen Temple of Kumamoto (Nichiren Buddhism) with a friend pays a visit to Shinmeizan.

May 8   The group assisting Fr. Franco in his activity of interreligious dialogue for the Diocese of Fukuoka, meets at Shinmeizan.

May 20   Fr. Franco takes part in the annual celebration of the birth of Shinran, at the Sainen Temple of Imari, Saga Pref. (Pure Land Buddhism).

May 22   Fr. Franco joins the Buddhist-Christian Study Group of Fukuoka for its regular meeting.

June 18   Fr. Franco joins the Seimeizan-Schweitzer Temple of Tamana, in the memorial service for Takeo NISHI on the anniversary of his unjust execution, an important annual event in the untiring campaign of the Furukawa Family against the death penalty in Japan.

June 22   After four months in Rome, teaching at the Pontifical Gregorian University, Sr. Maria returns to Shinmeizan.

Besides other events of this period, like the monthly retreats (to which 14 people participated in May and 21 in June), we wish to mention the building of a ‘mon’ or “arch” at the entrance of the pathway leading to the “Prayer Hall” (hondo) by Mr. Mizoguchi, a good old friend and benefactor of Shinmeizan.