First, on behalf of the Myoshinji Hokkeko, I would like to thank you, Reverend Kimura for conducting this mornings Oko Ceremony and for your always inspiring message. We also want to thank Reverend Arima for his very able assistance.

I also want to wish all you Mothers a very Happy Mother’s Day.

Setting aside for a moment the historic significance of our recent tozan I want to just mention how well I think we did considering our relatively large group. For the most part members young and old participated in the daily chores and cleanup and I was very proud of our Hokkeko members. I stayed on a little longer and had the opportunity to visit Reverend Shiba who as most of you know was our last Chief Priest and is now with the Overseas Bureau. He said that the support staff had given Myoshinji Temple pretty good marks. Of course there were a few members that could have participated a little more but I was very proud of our overall performance. Thank you all very much.

For those of you that were not able to attend this Tozan I will just mention one of the highlights that was so very memorable. Prior to arriving at Taisekiji we were able to visit Ryugenji Temple, located on the historic Izu Peninsula where Reverend Jido Kimura, our Reverend Shogu Kimura’s father is the Chief Priest. We were welcomed by many of the Hokkeko members and after receiving guidance from Reverend Jido Kimura we were treated to a great barbecue banquet under a beautiful cherry tree. This beautiful temple was designed by Reverend Jido Kimura and overlooks the Pacific Ocean. It was a very inspiring beginning to the 4^th General Overseas Tozan.

We are currently witnessing a very historic time in Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. First, we have been witness to the transfer ceremony from 67^th High Priest Nikken Shonin to the 68^th High Priest Nichinyo Shonin. For those of us that had the opportunity to attend this historic ceremony it will always be a cherished memory. Now, in a very few short years we will be participating in the 750^th Anniversary of the “Year of Revealing the Truth through the Treatise ‘On Securing the Peace of the Land through the Propagation of True Buddhism’ (Rissho Ankoku Ron). This is an opportunity that we can not miss. I can not emphasize enough how important and meaningful this is in Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism. I want to quote from Reverend Kimura’s May 7^th Okyobi Sermon;

Of course this was just the introductory paragraph to Reverend Kimura’s message but it was so profound and thought provoking that I thought I should repeat it in hoping it will stimulate you to re-read that sermon.

To prepare ourselves for this upcoming historic tozan let us follow the guidance of our High Priest.

1.) Be consistent in evening and morning Gongyo.

2.) Be consistent in chanting Daimoku. (on this, remember the first Sunday of the month we have Kosenrufu Shodai and every Thursday at 6:30 PM we evening Gongyo with a one hour Shodai.

3.) And please try to attend ceremonies here at the temple, especially the monthly Oko Ceremony. This Ceremony in Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism is not only to hear the teachings of Buddhism in the sermons by our Chief Priest but it is also to repay our debt of gratitude for the profound benefit of the Three Treasures: Nichiren Daishonin (the Buddha), the Dai-Gohonzon (the Law) and Nikko Shonin (the Priesthood).

If we can be consistent in our practice, and follow this guidance of our High Priest we will realize the joy of this practice and through Itai Doshin meet our shakubuku goals and prepare ourselves for the 750^th Anniversary of the “Year of Revealing the Truth through the Treatise ‘On Securing the Peace of the Land Through The Propagation of True Buddhism’ (Rissho Ankoku Ron).