First, on behalf of our Myoshinji Hokkeko Chapter I would like to thank you Reverend Kimura for conducting this morning’s Oko Ceremony, the Mokushi-e Ceremony, (The Memorial for Nichimoku Shonin), and the Shichi-go-san celebration for the children. We also appreciated your very informative message on the life of Nichimoku Shonin. Also, we want to thank Reverend Arima and Mrs. Kimura for putting together the Chronological Table and the Genealogical Tree on our Third High Priest Nichimoku Shonin. Thank your both very much for all your hard work in researching this very important and historic time in Nichiren Shoshu.

This is always a very inspiring time when we see our young members happily participating in this annual Shichi-go-san Ceremony. We want to thank the parents and grandparents for supporting these young members in their formative years as Nichiren Shoshu believers. Thank you and congratulations to all of you.

I would just like to take a few minutes to talk about appreciation. In the American Heritage Dictionary there are of course several definitions describing appreciation but the one that illustrates the message I would like to put forward is the third definition and it states

Awareness or delicate perception, especially of aesthetic qualities or values.

Most of here have had the opportunity to go on Tozan to our head Temple Taisekiji and I’m sure we have all marveled at the overall beauty and it’s serenity. How are we so fortunate to have such a beautiful place? Well, it started when Nanjo Tokimitsu offered the grounds to the second High Priest Nikko Shonin to establish the Head Temple. Nanjo Tokimitsu was 32 years old when the first building at Taisekiji, the Mutsubo was founded. Nikko Shonin was 45 years old.

So, since the beginning, Hokkeko members have continued to offer Gokuyo which has allowed Taisekiji to blossom and grow to where it is today. Many of you may recall that we also had the opportunity to offer special Gokuyo for the Kyakuden and the Hoando. It is very gratifying to be a small part of the continuing evolution of Taisekiji.

In the monthly Gosho Passage for November were Nikko Shonin transfers the Heritage of The Law to Nichimoku Shonin He states, “

I, Nikko, transfer to Nichimoku the Dai-Gohonzon of the 2^nd year of Ko’an which was transferred to me. It should be enshrined at the Temple of the Honmon Teaching. Nichimoku is to administer and make repairs to Taisekiji, that is, the Mido and await the time for Kosenrufu.

Of course we Hokkeko members of Myoshinji Temple have an ongoing opportunity and if I may say, a responsibility, to continue to also support this beautiful temple where we have our Jujo Gohonzon enshrined. We must not become too complacent and take it for granted. It requires a lot of dedication and support from all of us.

It is so very important for us Hokkeko members to support the Priesthood and Temples in any way possible, and to the best of our ability for we are the only ones able to offer Gokuyo. In a sermon by 66^th High Priest Nittatsu Shonin on September 16, 1977, he states:

We, as priests, receive Gokuyo as offerings but we present them to the Buddha. When you offer Gokuyo, you are not making offerings to the priests, you are making offerings to the Buddha. After the offering is made to the Buddha, and only through the compassion of the Buddha, the priests are supported and the temples are improved. Herein lies the significance of making offerings, (kuyo).

If you think about it, without this temple we would not be able to celebrate all the various ceremonies such as we are doing today, or be able to receive the guidance directly from our Chief Priest. I’m very confident that all our Hokkeko members feel this strong commitment for their ongoing support.

I would also like to mention at this time that the kuyo (or) offering for the Toba will be $10 per tablet beginning the first of the year. I’m sure you all will understand the need for the slight increase in this area. This is set by NST for all US temples.

Again, I want to thank you all for coming today and especially the parents and grandparents who are so supportive of the young children here today. Thank you all for your kind attention.