May 2025

On May 8, during the usual retreat of the second Thursday of every month (this time it was the 299^th time!) with great joy we celebrated the Baptism of Mr. Niijima Kokichi who has been attending this monthly retreat for some years, and last year asked to be baptized.

On May 24, Fr. Claudio and Fr. Franco attended the annual feast for the anniversary of the birth of Shinran (1173-1263), the founder of the Buddhist School known as the “True Buddhism of the Pure Land” (Jodo Shinshu), at the Sainen Temple (Imari, Saga Pref.) led by Ven. Ide Satoshi a close friend of Shinmeizan.

From May 27 through May 29, Sr. Maria De Giorgi of Shinmeizan attended the 8^th International Buddhist-Christian Colloquium, organized by the Pontifical Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue with the cooperation of the Preah Sihanouk Raja Buddhist University　and the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Cambodia, held in the Capital City of Phnom Penh.

   The event was held under the theme “Buddhists and Christians Working Together for Peace through Reconciliation and Resilience.” The !50 participants, representing both religious traditions, came from 16 different Countries.