“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
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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)
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)
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
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).