On behalf of our Myoshinji Hokkeko members I want to thank you Reverend Kimura for conducting this morning’s Oko Ceremony and for you always interesting message. We also want to thank Reverend Arima for his able assistance.

Last Sunday Reverend Kimura mentioned about the renovation of the Mieido Hall. I would like to take a moment to elaborate.

We Hokkeko members are so fortunate to be living in this historic period of major and significant enhancements at our head temple Taisekiji and also having the opportunity to actually be a part of it through the offering of Special Gokuyo.

The first major undertaking by our 67^th Honorable Retired High Priest Nikken Shonin was the rebuilding of the Kyakuden - the reception hall in 1998. I’m sure all of you that have been on Tozan and have attended Ushitora Gongyo appreciate the sheer beauty of this magnificent Temple.

Then we had the opportunity again in the rebuilding of the Hoando and The Rokuman Towers and memorial to the Atsuhara Martyrs which was all completed in 2002.

Now, as Reverend Kimura mentioned last Sunday, 68^th High Priest Nichinyo Shonin has authorized the total renovation of the Mieido, which is perhaps the most decoratively stunning temple in Taisekiji. It was originally built during the time of the 12^th High Priest Nitchin Shonin in 1522 and subsequently rebuilt in 1632 by the 17^th High Priest Nissei Shonin. It also houses a likeness of Nichiren Daishonin which was carved in 1338 under the guidance of the 6^th High Priest, Nichiji Shonin. It has been designated a Tangible Cultural Asset of Shizuoka Prefecture. This renovating process, which will entail the complete dismantling and reassembling of the temple will take between seven to ten years and will require highly skilled and technical or artistic craftsmen.

Also, currently in process there is a complete rebuilding of many of the old tatchu temples in preparation for the 2009 historic Tozan commemorating the 750^th anniversary of the Rissho Ankoku Ron.

We, as Hokkeko members will have the opportunity to participate in this historic process through Special Gokuyo. The blue “Special Gokuyo” envelopes will be available at the offering counter beginning January 1^st so you can participate weekly or monthly or what ever is the most convenient or suitable for you and Reverend Kimura will be bringing the offerings to Taisekiji on the regular Tozan schedules which will in April, August and November of each year until its completion. Because of the long process of renovation, expenses will occur ongoing.

For those of you that have had the opportunity to participate in the Kyakuden and the Hoando building projects that I mentioned earlier, know how gratifying and beneficial it is to be a part of such historic projects. Those of you that missed out still have a wonderful opportunity to become involved in this historic and major undertaking.

Of course please remember that this is special Gokuyo and we can not forget our Myoshinji Temple.

Thank you for your kind attention.