Also this year, this part of Japan, the cherry trees have blossomed earlier than usual.  This is the majestic cherry tree that welcomes guests coming to Shinmeizan!

On February 7, Ven. Hara Onin of the Choen Temple of Kumamoto (Nichiren Buddhism) came again to Shinmeizan for the 6^th study meeting on the teaching of the Lotus Sutra and Christianity, carried out via ZOOM with Ven. Shaku Choei, Head of the Hoko Temple (Ogaki, Gifu Pref.) The study subject, this time, was the role of faith in the disciples of Christ and of the Buddha.

Also this year, a group of people came to Shinmeizan, early in the morning of January 1^st, to watch the rising of the sun on the first dawn of the year – a traditional custom so dear to the Japanese – after celebrating the Eucharist where we welcome Christ, the “true light, which enlightens everyone” (John 1,9) .