Brazil Hozo Shrine Festival
Aims at Reduction of CO2 Emissions as Well
In Brazil, the 55th Brazil Hozo Shrine Festival and 27th Memorial Service for the Neglected Souls of Aborted Children were held from April 9 to 10 at the Brazil Hozo Shrine in Ibiuna, Sao Paulo. The number of soul registers installed was 2,686,972.
The number of people who attended the Festival was 16,400. The Festival was simultaneously transmitted on the Internet to about 170 sites, including Missionary Branches in Brazil and various locations in other Latin American countries. This contributed to a large reduction of CO2 emissions resulting from the people’s movement.
The main festival took place from 9:30 a.m. on April 10. There was a reading of the Holy Sutra, Nectarean Shower of Holy Doctrines by the attendees for newly-memorialized souls. The Memorial Service for the Neglected Souls of Aborted Children was held from 1:00 p.m.
On April 9, the soul removal ceremony and purification flame ceremony were held. The calling of the souls to be newly memorialized through the soul registers was held on the afternoon of the same day.
At the purification flame ceremony two iron incinerators were used to burn soul registers. These burners purify smoke and soot with a filter and reduce the CO2 emissions by 70-80 percent. They were used on a trial basis this time. The result will be examined for improvement and a full-scale use will begin next year.
The attendees’ comments included; “The main festival was filled with emotional upliftment. The reading of the Holy Sutra, Nectarean Shower of Holy Doctrines by all attendees, where everyone read the words of Truth with gratitude and respect for the deceased, was wonderful beyond words—something I had never experienced before.”
Remarks by Rev. Yoshio Mukai, Bishop of Seicho-No-Ie Latin America
“Since three years ago the Hozo Shrine’s main festival has been simultaneously transmitted via the Internet. At first there were connection problems, but with an improvement in the communications technology, one can enjoy the sense of having attended the festival while being at his own missionary center. People in other Latin American countries who were unable to attend in the past are especially happy about this. We will continue to do this, while studying more about the technology.”