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Seicho-No-Ie News

Message from the International Spiritual Training Center


Happier than Ever Before Thanks to the Teachings

Hiroko Yamashita (Penname), U.S.A.

My brother passed away 15 years ago. He was diagnosed with leukemia at the age of 9. From that point on, the battle of his disease began and all of us had to face it together. Unfortunately, his life ended 8 years later.

My parents, me, and my other brother were all severely devastated by this experience. Soon enough though, my mother got herself together and brought light into our home. She had started studying Seicho-No-Ie and this allowed her to carry forward with her life. She would host White Dove Association meetings at the house and she eventually became the leader of the district. I later learned that my grandmother was actually a Seicho-No-Ie member as well. My grandmother hadn't been interested in Seicho-No-Ie until a couple of years before her death, but I'm sure she'd be happy to know that both her daughter and granddaughter are now studying the great teachings.

I started with Seicho-No-Ie 10 years ago when I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. The doctor said that I would never be totally cured and that I would have to live with the disease as long as I lived. Naturally, I was horrified by this. I was hospitalized for over a month, but my mom was there for me along the way. She introduced me to the Sutra and the Truth of Life. She assured me that I could conquer this illness if I studied this philosophy. Since I had nothing to lose, I kept reading any published materials of Seicho-No-Ie my mom would bring for me.

After I was discharged from the hospital, I attended Japanese seminars at Uji Temple in Japan for two months in a row. I started loving these wonderful teachings very much. I started getting better day by day because of these beliefs. When I returned to the USA, I saw a specialist for Crohn's Disease. He told me “You don't have Crohn's Disease. You probably never had it from the beginning. Don't worry about it.” You can imagine how overjoyed I was!

I recently participated in the International Spiritual Training Seminar held in Toronto. The lectures and the Ancestor Memorial Service and Shinsokan practice were deeply moving. The International Spiritual Training Seminar had a relaxing atmosphere and was an excellent place to mingle with other participants.

I can't thank my brother and my grandmother enough, who brought my mom and me to these great teachings. I can't thank them enough because I could spread the teachings to my husband, who started loving Seicho-No-Ie, as well. I'm happier than ever before with my life. Thank you very much!