April 2021

• In this part of Japan, the situation of the covid-19 pandemic, though still rather fluctuating, allows now limited social activities, and Shinmeizan is welcoming guests again.  During the month of April, among others, we welcomed Ven. Hara Oonin Head of Choenji Temple in Kumamoto (Nichiren Buddhism) (April 8), our Muslim friend Omar (April 11), and Sr. Francis Miyamoto, of the Sisters of the Assumption, who stayed with us for a whole month!

 Ven. Hara Oonin  (standing) with a group of Buddhists visiting Shinmeizan

• Also our online activities have continued.  For example: on April 8, Fr. Sonoda, Sr. Maria and Fr. Franco, together with Ven. Hara Oonin, took part in an online meeting organized by Ven. Choei Shaku, Head of the Nichiren-Buddhist Temple Hoko (Ogaki, Gifu Pref.) on “What is dialog?” On April 13, Sr. Maria took part in the webinar organized by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialog for all the members (Cardinals and Bishops) and Consultors of  Asia.  Sr. Maria, together with Bishop Otsuka from Kyoto,  joined the representatives of 14 Asian Countries, reporting on interreligious dialog in Japan.

Ven. Shaku Choei                                                Il webinar dei membri  e Consultori del PCDI   

• On the occasion of the Feast for the birth of the Buddha (Hanamatsuri, April 8), as usual, we forwarded the message from the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialog, together with a personal later, to about 30 Buddhist Temples, and the same thing we did with the local Mosque (Kumamoto) for the beginning of Ramadan (April 12).