2013/10/03

Seicho-No-Ie Toronto October, 2013 Newsletter

A Movement that Grows With Nature
 SEICHO-NO-IE
Toronto Newsletter
Seicho-No-Ie Toronto                                                                                 October, 2013
 662 Victoria Park Avenue Toronto, Ontario M4C 5H4
Tel: (416) 690-8686
OCTOBER & NOVEMBER SCHEDULE
Date

Event
Place
Time
Lecturer
Oct 6
Sun
True Image Chanting   
Toronto Centre
10:00 AM
Rev. Taka
Oct 6
Sun
Rev. Seicho Taqniguchi 5th year Memorial
Toronto Centre
10:30 AM

Rev. Taka
Oct 6
Sun
Third Violin Concert
Toronto Centre
1:30 -2:30 PM

Oct 12
Sat
Lecturers/Propagators Study (Japanese)
Toronto Centre
1:00-3:00 PM
Rev. Taka
Oct 13
Sun
Sutra Reading  
Toronto Centre
10:00 AM

Oct 13
Sun
Ancestors Memorial Service
Toronto Centre
10:30 AM
Rev. Taka
Oct 13
Sun
Japanese Service  
Toronto Centre
1:00-3:00 PM
Rev. Taka
Oct 20
Sun
Sutra Reading
Toronto Centre
10:00 AM

Oct 20
Sun
Sunday Service 
Toronto Centre
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
TBA
Skype (Rev. Taka)
Oct 20
Sun
Centre clean up   
Toronto Centre
1:00 -2:00 PM

Oct 27
Sun
Sutra Reading
Toronto Centre
10:00AM

Oct 27
Sun
Sunday Service 
Toronto Centre
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
TBA
Skype (Rev. Taka)
Nov 2
Sat
Lecturers/Propagators Study (Japanese)    
Toronto Centre
1:00-3:00 PM
Rev. Taka
Nov 3
Sun
True Image Chanting   
Toronto Centre
10:00 AM

Rev. Taka
Nov 3
Sun
Ancestors Memorial Service
Toronto Centre
10:30 AM
Rev. Taka
Nov 3
Sun  
Japanese Service   
Toronto Centre
1:00-3:00 PM
Rev. Taka
Nov 9
Sat
Truth Realization Seminar 
Toronto Centre
10:00-3:00 PM
Rev. Teshigawara
Nov 9
Sat
Leaders’ Seminar
Toronto Centre
3:30-5:00 PM
Rev. Teshigawara




6:30-9:00 PM
Rev. Teshigawara
Nov 10
Sun
Truth Realization Seminar    
Toronto Centre
10:30-12:00 PM
Rev. Teshigawara
Nov 10
Sun
Forth Violin Concert
Toronto Centre
1:30 -2:30 PM

Nov 17
Sun
Sutra Reading
Toronto Centre
10:00 AM

Nov 17
Sun
Rev. Masaharu Taniguchi’s Birthday celebration 
Toronto Centre
10:30 AM

Rev. Taka
Nov 24
Sun
Sutra Reading
Toronto Centre
10:00AM

Nov 24
Sun
Sunday Service 
Toronto Centre
10:30 AM
11:00 AM
TBA
Skype (Rev. Taka)
Nov 24
Sun
Centre clean up   
Toronto Centre
1:00 -2:00 PM



Let us live God’s will first

It has been a year since I moved to Canada. When I think of this year, I really feel that time flies. Thanks to your support, I was able to fulfill my duty as the Chief of the Toronto Missionary Area and Resident Ordained Minister in Canada.
I hope you understand that my article touches upon not only the story based on the Truth, but also an updated report. That is because I had the chance to write the article based on current events.
From the end of August to the beginning of September, I was in Vancouver. I remember that I took the same route last year from Japan. On August 30th, 2012, I came to Vancouver and then headed to Toronto on September 6th.
In Vancouver, we had a second Japanese Truth Realization Seminar on September 7th, 2013. Since we did not have enough preparation time or enough promotion, we only had six participants. However, we were able to include the “Let Us Clean Our Mother Earth” event, which was originally planned for the following weekend. Those who participated in the seminar were able to do the cleanup around the Centre and the park next to the Centre.
Furthermore, we had the Fall Memorial Services – one in Vancouver on September 8th and another one in Toronto on September 15th. I talked about why Seicho-No-Ie has no fixed form. Even though Seicho-No-Ie’s memorial service in Japan follows the Shinto style, Shinto style is not the Seicho-No-Ie style. I also talked about how, in other countries and regions, memorial services are conducted based on the local culture. “The Fundamental Thinking on Ceremony in Seicho-No-Ie” says that “The mental element of a ceremony is universal, but the external element of ceremony is not universal.” Moreover, the meaning of a memorial service is “Offer and Nurture.” Also, when we talk about offerings, there are two elements: “Offering of Food or Material Things” and “Offering of the Truth.”
I am writing this article the day after the rummage sale on September 21st in Toronto. At first, we canceled the rummage sale, which is usually held in June. Then, we decided to hold it on September 21st instead. I rented a van and visited six members’ places to pick up things for the sale. I also had a chance to help the day before the actual sales date and rummage sale day. I really appreciate Ms. Shiba’s planning and other members’ efforts; the sale was very successful!
I was really impressed that one couple who bought quite a few things told me that they will send those items to family who live in their homeland of Guyana. Also, because the prices of many items were so low, many people seemed to be enjoying the sale and came to the Centre up to three times.
Because of those experiences, I think the rummage sales are not merely fundraisers, but an “Offering of Food or Material Things.” We also had a chance to distribute the Truth of Life magazines and flyers for the November Truth Realization Seminar and October and November violin concert. In that way, we were also able to do a “Offering of the Truth.”
There is a law that states, “Give, and it shall be given unto you." Luke 3:68 is one of the Laws of Mind. You can also find similar words in the “Golden Rules” in world religions. For example, in Christianity, “All things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 7:1) In Confucianism, “Do not do to others what you would not like yourself. Then there will be no resentment against you, either in the family or in the state.” (Analects 12:2) In Islam, “No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.” (Sunnah)
Therefore, once we throw away our egos and make offerings, God’s will appears. Since Self and Other are essentially one, those offerings will eventually come back to us. It is also similar to, “One good turn deserves another.”
At the end of my article I want to share with you the importance of living God’s will first. Rev. Seicho Taniguchi wrote as follows in “Shinsokan is Wonderful.”

"Everything will go well for a person who is always shining with hope. However, should this hope stem from egotism or a selfish desire, while it may materialize temporarily, it is not necessarily true that one will become happy. Since this hope is not in accord with the will of God, it may even lead to an unhappy fate. Therefore, it would probably be better to change the word "hope" to the words "will of God."
How can we know the will of God? It is best to ask Him. God already dwells within you as the true you, so it is not in the least difficult to ask God. If you practice listening to God daily, you will be sure to hear Him. This practice is Shinsokan.                                                       ("Shinsokan is Wonderful,” p. 3)

           In this way, the True Image World Created by God is already “Perfect and Harmonious.” The more we practice the Shinsokan and the more we act according to God’s will, the sooner a harmonious world will surely appear in this phenomenal world. Let us practice Shinsokan at least once a day to listen to God’s will. Thank you very much.

           September 22nd, 2013.

Yoshiharu Taka
Chief of Toronto Missionary Area
Resident Ordained Minister in Canada
Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/alohamahaloyoshi
           Blog: http://yoshiharutaka.blogspot.ca/

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Notice of Special Fall Events!
Guest Speaker:
Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara, Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie United States Headquarters with Interpreter
Seicho-No-Ie Toronto Centre
Truth Realization Seminar
Saturday, November 9, 2013,
10:00am – 3:00 pm ($10 including lunch)
Leaders’ Seminar
Saturday, November 9, 2013,
3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
6:30pm – 9:00 pm
($5, those who paid $10 for Truth Realization Seminar will be free)
Truth Realization Seminar
Sunday, November 10, 2013,
10:30am – noon
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LECTURERS AND PROPAGATORS STUDY (ENGLISH) CANCELLED
The study class for October and November is cancelled.

REV. SEICHO TANIGUCHI’S MEMORIAL(SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6th )
Please join Rev. Seicho Taniguchi’s memorial service.  It will be the 5th memorial service.   

FALL VIOLIN CONCERT
(OCTOBER 6th AND NOVEMBER 10th  1:30-2:30 pm)
After successful summer concerts, we are eagerly looking forward to the next two fall concerts.
October 6th :
 Paul Meyer, who plays Principal Second Violin of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, is married to Ms. Miho Hashizume, who played for us on June 2nd.   It was great family performance, with Paul playing viola and their daughter Natsumi dancing Irish dance.  Would we be so lucky again?

November 10th:
Jonathan Crow needs no introduction, playing as young concert master for the Toronto Symphony Orchestra since 2011.  He is a rising international star with a great future, and his performance is not to be missed.

Tickets: $20.00 for adults; $10.00 for students. Children under 12 are free.
The sales generated will be used for Seicho-No-Ie Centre’s roof repair. It will make a great gift for friends!

CENTRE CLEAN UP (SUNDAY, OCTOBER  20th  )
In October, the centre cleanup will held on the afternoon of the 3rd Sunday.  Let us clean up the centre with gratitude.   

ANCESTORS MEMORIAL SERVICE (SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD  )
Due to the Truth Realization Seminar held on the second Sunday, the Ancestors Memorial Service will be moved to the first Sunday.

JAPANESE SUNDAY SERVICE (SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3RD  )
Due to Truth Realization Seminar held the second Sunday, Japanese Sunday service also be moved to the first Sunday of the month.

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RUMMAGE SALE
Under the drizzling rain, the Rummage Sale was held on Saturday, September 21st.  It was good turnout.  With donations, we raised over $700.00.  Thank you to all participants.


FOOD BANK DONATION CONTINUES
As food banks are in need of food throughout the year, the committee has decided to continue supporting the food bank drive.
A donation box is located downstairs in the multi-purpose room. Please place your donations in the box.

COLLECTION OF HAZARDOUS WASTE
The centre has been collecting batteries to bring to the recycling centre.  We are now expanding our list (see below) of accepted hazardous waste to make sure it goes to the recycle centre and not the landfill. Participate to improve our environment.  Collection box is located downstairs.
Accepted hazardous waste:
Batteries (include rechargeable), fluorescent lights, light bulbs, cell phones, printer toner cartridges, small electrical appliances (can be carried by hand).