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Seicho-No-Ie News

Disaster Relief Team Dispatched to Miyagi Missionary Area Three Times

Members in Iwate Missionary Area Engaged in Volunteer Relief Activities

At the request of the Miyagi Missionary Area, the Seicho-No-Ie Eastern Japan Relief Project Office organized relief teams comprised of employees of the headquarters, Spiritual Training Centers and Missionary Centers and sent them from April 18 to May 20 to the Miyagi Missionary Area three times, for one week each time (5-6 people each time, totaling 16 people). They helped clean damaged houses, sort out and distribute the relief materials to victims and input data regarding the safety of the Holy Mission Fellowship members.

Each team separated in smaller groups and engaged in relief activities in the affected area and the Missionary Area Center.

In the affected area, the team visited two Seicho-No-Ie members’ houses located on the coastline nine times altogether, cleaned and tidied up the rooms. Four members of the Miyagi Missionary Area also joined in the cleaning activity.

The relief team visited one of the two victims, Mrs. Eiko Saeki of Ishinomaki City (head of the Sakaiya White Dove Association, Regional Lecturer) six times, tried to remove the dirt from the flooded first-floor of her second-story house, repaired the windows and removed the debris.

Mrs. Saeki commented with a smile, “They offered clean-up help at an early stage after the earthquake. It helped lift the burden off my heart somewhat. I am truly grateful.”

The relief team also visited the house of Mr. and Mrs. Fumio Kato (Mr. Kato is a potter and taught pottery at the Missionary Area Academy of Life) three times. Mr. Kato’s house was completely destroyed. They helped remove the debris and cleaned his large kiln, which survived the tsunami.

Mr. Kato commented, “I am grateful to the Seicho-No-Ie followers. They went about the cleaning work without seeming to mind it. With everyone’s love, I feel I can create powerful works.”

Every morning the relief team practiced the “Shinsokan to Practice the Four Immeasurable Minds” and read the Holy Sutra before beginning their work. At the victims’ houses, they prayed for the prosperity and happiness of the families before and after their work.

The comments of the relief team members included: “I felt that it was important to help with small jobs, while showing care and concern for the victims; and “While I was reading the Holy Sutra at the disaster area, a strong sense welled up that only the True Image is the true existence. I had tears in my eyes.”

Remarks by Rev. Yukio Takasaka, Chief of Miyagi Missionary Area

“The help by everyone on the Relief Teams has given strength to the victims and is the source of energy toward recovery of the Missionary Area as a whole. We made a good start in promoting the President’s Public Lecture to be held in October of this year. I would like to promote it strongly.”

Volunteer Activity by Thirteen Members in Iwate Missionary Area

In the Iwate Missionary Area, from the end of March, a total of 70 leaders/members brought relief materials to the Holy Mission Fellowship members who were affected by the earthquake/tsunami. Their help was much appreciated. After seeing the tragic situation of the disaster area, Mr. Shinji Morita, an employee of the Missionary Center (head of the Iwate Missionary Area Regional Brotherhood Association Administration Office) said that he also wished to help non-Seicho-No-Ie followers affected by the disaster. In April, it was decided at a Missionary Area’s meeting to register the Missionary Area itself with the Morioka City Disaster Volunteer Center. Subsequently they recruited members to participate as volunteers. Twenty-three members wished to sign up and on May 10 they completed a group registration with the Volunteer Center.

Their first activity was to clean up the 1,650 square-meter field in Ozuchi-cho from May 16 to 18, which is located on the coastline three hours by car from Morioka City. Over a three-day period, five hours a day, a total of 18 people engaged in the clean-up of debris, trash and mud in the field with other ordinary volunteers.

Mr. Morita, who oversaw the group, commented, “I gave the victims and volunteers the Holy Sutra, Nectarean Shower of Holy Doctrines amulets. They were happy to receive it. The volunteers who participated commented: “I am glad that I could help”; and “Seeing the disaster area first hand, I want to do more to help.”

Remarks by Rev. Tatsuo Okada Chief of Iwate Missionary Area

“When Seicho-No-Ie events are not being held, I would like to find time and continue activities to support the victims with the leaders/members.”