Fall Memorial Service
Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi Urges that We Receive a Message from the Great Earthquake and Take Correct Action
The Souls of 199 People Newly Memorialized
The Fall Memorial Service for Deceased Distinguished Propagators was held on September 23, the fall equinox day, at the Seicho-No-Ie Headquarters in Harajuku, Tokyo. Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie, served as the Chief Priest. Mrs. Junko Taniguchi, President of Seicho-No-Ie White Dove Association, was also present. The souls of 199 people, who devoted themselves to the Humanity Enlightenment Movement in their lifetime, were newly memorialized.
At the end of the Memorial Service, Rev. Taniguchi gave an address. He began by referring to the red and white cluster-amaryllis blooming in his garden and mentioned that the red ones were completely destroyed by the typhoon. He said that the scientists’ forecast that with global warming typhoons decrease in number but become fiercer is actually becoming reality.
Rev. Taniguchi pointed out the fact that among the deceased whose souls were summoned at the Memorial Service, there were two victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake. He also noted that there were other Seicho-No-Ie followers who died or were missing and said that he receives questions during his Public Lecture and so forth, “Why did they suffer a misfortune when they had religious faith?” He stressed that death is not necessarily misfortune and “death also has a way of propagating.” In a case like the Great East Japan Earthquake there is propagation at the level of “society” and that of the “individual.”
Regarding the societal level propagation, Rev. Taniguchi said that the post-war economic progress has reached a limit and pointed out the fact that city life depends for electricity on nuclear power plants built in the countryside. The pressing question for humanity is whether they will continue their current lifestyle or decide to move in a different direction. He stressed that it is important that they receive a societal message of the Earthquake and act correctly.
Referring to a demonstration against nuclear power plants in Tokyo, which drew 60,000 people, the President said that they are sending a message that many people’s deaths should not be wasted. He also pointed out that the space station showed a clear image of the shape of the Japanese archipelago lit with lights despite the fact that it was night time. If countries such as China, India and Russia should become like the society of the current Japan, he warned that nuclear power plants would need to be built all over the world.
Regarding the propagation at the individual level, Rev. Taniguchi said that although longevity is a blessing, there are many among those who pass away at young ages, who have an important mission. He said that an important meaning of sudden death is the release of attachment.
The President also said that among the victims of the Earthquake, there were people who lost their lives, trying to save their families or sacrificed their lives without fleeing and continuing to performing their duty of broadcasting a disaster warning. He noted that those people practiced “non-attachment,” the most difficult virtue of the Four Immeasurable Minds, and hence they have a great possibility to guide us as high-level spirits.
In concluding his address, Rev. Taniguchi urged the attendees to spread the Seicho-No-Ie teaching that man is deathless to many people and cheerfully carry forward the Movement in the direction of creating a way for man to progress with nature, humanity’s common issue right now.
The Memorial Service was attended by 361 people, including Seicho-No-Ie Missionary Councilors, officers of affiliated organizations, and the family members of the deceased propagators. The Service began at 10:00 a.m. After the purification rite and the Invocation, Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi read the supplication and offered a sacred branch. This was followed by the summoning of the souls.
The Head Priest next read the words of the Fall Memorial Service, which was followed by the offering of a sacred branch by Mrs. Junko Taniguchi. Then, while the attendees read the Holy Sutra, Nectarean Shower of Holy Doctrines, sacred branches were offered by Seicho-No-Ie missionary councilors, officers of affiliated organizations and the newly bereaved family members. Attendees burned incense. Ms. Mari Abe, the oldest daughter of the late Yoshiko Abe (formerly Regional Lecturer) of the Kanagawa Missionary Area, gave words of appreciation on behalf of the bereaved families.
The number of the souls memorialized since the founding of Seicho-No-Ie totals 12,443.