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Posts tagged ‘Japan’

It is my pleasure to introduce to you another member of PL

Perfect Liberty is an International church, therefore members who will share with us, at times will do so in both their languages.  I do not change their words, or thoughts, but share them with you as they are offered.  I love PL so much because as a community we share and grow with the encouragement and support of not only the ministers but fellow members.  The Japanese terms are commonly used in PL,  You should be able to find the words and their meanings on our website, (link on right)  However I will work them in if I can do so without changing the expressions of the writer

Meet Harry  (USA), Harry attended Kyososai (the celebrations I wrote about in August)  this past July/August.   =^_^+ in fact, you will see Harry carrying the Canadian Flag for Canada (he became an honorary Canadian to help me out!  True gentleman!!)(see prev. blog)

This was a fun picture taken when we met the actors who perform in the PL children;s theater

Harry and cat

Each Kyososai is unique and every year is distinct with the mix of different people
attending. Often for me I try to absorb as much as I can all that goes on at Holyland
during my stay there. The whole time spent there is the rensei training, not just the
official part of the program …. Listening to lectures, taking every opportunity to pray at
the himorogi, conversing, sharing testimonies with the Brazilian members, breathing the
air and working up a sweat just being outside.
But reality hits when I get back from the Holyland. I always seem to receive my
blessings thru Mishirases and intuitions that that help me realize my short comings, last
year it was a nasty bladder infection that haunted me from getting good rest and sleep.
It’s like god is giving me another chance – blessing and salvation after my prayers at the
Himorogi. This year it was a flu symptom that bothered me physically, but also the way
my wife told me what a pest I was to her. I never thought I was a pest probing and
inquiring about what she did and did not do. I always thought I gave her a lot of latitude,
but apparently not. My mishirase brought me to church and the consultation for
oyashikiri helped me realize that I needed to back off and give her more space and not to
probe unnecessarily. It was the words my minister spoke that triggered my intuition. I
have always prayed to try to understand my wife and I never could, I was being a pest
and suffocating her. All this time I could not realize that my actions were killing her
spirits. Thank you, Oshieoyasama.

Mishirase: Divine warning from God, in the form of an illness, a misfortune, an accident pain or suffering

Oyashikiri Prayer– The special prayer to receive the blessings of Oshieoya-sana’s Shikiri

Shikiri PL’s unique way of prayer, asking God’s blessing with a sincere promise to accomplish what we have to do

Oshieoya-sama – Honorific title of the spiritual leader of PL, Rev. Takahito Miki

Thank you Harry for sharing your testimony with us.

Blessings to each and everyone of you, now and always…

photo taken in Japan July 2013 by Q

Rev. Fukito Kimura

Finally I can  introduce you to Rev. Fukito Kimura, I am trying to get a better picture of him, and when I do I will post it.  This man is genuine, kind  and compassionate.   I mentioned him just the other day.  It has taken me awhile to present him to you because he speaks no English and I no Japanese.  He was kind enough to reply to my question,  how was it he became a PL minister.  For those of you who read Japanese, I will copy paste his response to me.  The training to be a PL minister is long and it is one of total dedication to the goals and philosophy of the church.  Reading his words, is not meeting him in person, but perhaps if you travel to Japan, you will look him up, or if you want to know about PL, talk to us here in the USA or Canada.

Rev Kimura

What follows are his words translated by Rev. Eugene (Ottawa  church)

One month has passed since Founders’ Day.
I’m very sorry to respond late in regards to your questions, Dymoon.
I will write the reason for becoming a minister.
I attended a university in Nara Prefecture after graduating from the PL high school. In 1987 when I was a senior in the university, I have not decided on what to do after graduation.
One day, a upper classman from my old high school dropped by that I was acquainted with. He asked me if I wanted to become a PL minister. I knew how hard of a work you put in as a PL minister and people around me was also expressed not becoming a minister, so I thought to myself that I would not cut it as a minister.
But, the upper classman’s request was very serious and he kept insisting for me to become a minister. What started to change my mind was the upper classman’s words of, “Let’s repay Oshieoya-sama.” That simple act of giving back for the blessings you received made more sense to me than looking for a job that I can do or want to do. By the end of summer (the school year in Japan is from April to March), even though I had many ideas of my future, I started to think that I might have regrets in the future if I don’t become a minister. Hence, I decided to become a minister.
In October of the same year, I went to take the entrance exam for the ministers trainee school together with the upper classman. And, I was accepted into the 26th Class of Ministers’ Trainee which started in April of the following year.
It would take too many spaces here to write everything, so I’m going to jump to the point where I met my wife and had 3 children.
My time in living in Holy Land has been long, but recently I had the opportunity to do Misasage at a church for 4 years. The Misasage at the church had change my views quite a bit towards other people and especially towards myself. It’s not that I was lazy, but through practicing my Mioshie and PL teachings, I learned the meaning behind what it is to overdo which I tend to do. At my current Misasage at the Rensei Department, it gives me great joy knowing that it is a continuous changes that happens and with that, we strive to make it so that it conforms with Oshieoya-sama’s feelings and ideas which will lead to the Rensei participants being able to appreciate.
The following is what I keep in mind while I do my Misasage.
That is, never forget to do Shikiri (prayer). To do Misasage with Shikiri, it makes you humble, and to align yourself with Oshieoya-sama’s feelings and ideas. I grew up in PL Holy Land, so to pray was second nature. But, I did not experience the true blessings in praying until I was over 40 year-old.

What is the difference between doing your Misasage just with your own strength and doing it with Shikiri. To give you an example in my own ways, to make a boat go forward, one way is to use an oar to paddle. You will move forward just as much as you paddle. A better option is to use a sail. If the wind blows into the sail, the boat will move forward like gliding on top of the water. I believe to do Shikiri is the sail that catches the wind that is called Oshieoya. By catching the wind with the sail (Shikiri), your timing with everything around you becomes better. A person who can help you do things will appear when you need them or receive the perfect tools to do what you are doing. It makes a great difference in your Misasage when you do and don’t do Shikiri.
Furthermore, because I do Shikiri, no matter what results I get, I can always believe that this will turn out for the beast due to the fact that I am riding on Oshieoya-sama’s wind.
During the Overseas Rensei, I believe that I was able to talk to you while you were waiting for the next lecture was because I was doing my Misasage with Shikiri. If you were able to have appreciations towards what I said, then it must be because Oshieoya-sama’s Shikiri was there. I have also expressed my intuition to other people as well. To do the Rensei Misasage is about accumulation of all your experience.
I believe that all staff who did Misasage did so with Shikiri to truly make the experience wonderful for all the PL members from overseas who came to Holy Land this year,
This is the reason why I became a minister and my state of mind doing my Misasage.
Thank you very much.

教祖祭から1ヶ月が過ぎてしまいました。
さて、デーモンさんからいただいた質問に対しての返事が遅くなり、申し訳ありません。
私がPL教師を志願した経緯を簡単に書きます。
PL学園高校から奈良県の大学に進学した私は、1987年に4年生になり、進路に悩んでいました。
そんな時に親しくしてくれていた先輩にPL教師にならないかと誘われました。PL教師の仕事の大変さを知っていましたので、私にはその仕事は無理だと思っていましたし、周囲にもPL教師にはならないことを言っていたくらいです。
しかし、その先輩の誘いは本気で、粘り強く話し掛けてくれました。その先輩の「おしえおや様へ恩返しをしよう」という言葉に感動して、だんだんと気持ちがPL教師になる方へ傾いていきました。自分に合った仕事を探す、やりたい事を見つけるのではなく、「おしえおや様へ恩返しをする」という単純な動機が自分の心を動かしていきました。その間にも、いろいろな自分の将来を描いてみましたが、夏休みの終わる頃になると、PL教師にならなければ、将来後悔するのではないかと思うようになり、とうとう教師志願をさせていただくことになりました。
そして、その年の10月に、その先輩と2人で教師養成機関である「PL教校」に入校するための試験を受けました。
そして、翌年4月から教校本科26期生としてPL教師になるための研修を受けることになりました。
その後のことは書いていると、とても長くなるので省略しますが、PL教師として献身させていただいている間に今の妻と知り合い、結婚して、更に子どもが3人授かりました。
本庁での生活も長いのですが、最近は約4年間の教会の献身も経験しました。この教会での献身は私の考え方を大きく変えました。人に対して、また自分に対して厳しく考えることが少なくなったように思えます。怠け者になったということではありませんが、PLの教えや「みおしえ」を実行させていただく中で、「度を過ごす」という間違いの意味を学ぶことができたと思っています。現在の錬成課の献身も毎日が変化の連続で、おしえおや様の感動に沿った錬成を推進させていただき、錬成員に喜んでもらえることが大きな喜びになっています。
次に私が献身で心掛けていることです。
それは、「遂断り」「祈り」を忘れないことです。遂断りながら献身をさせていただくということは、謙虚な気持ちを忘れないことと、おしえおや様の感動に沿うということ
です。私はPL聖地で育ちましたので、遂断ることは当たり前の行いでした。しかし、遂断ることの本当の有難さは、40歳を過ぎてから、改めて感じる体験がいくつかありました。
自分の力だけでする献身と、遂断りながらする献身の差は何でしょうか。私なりに例を挙げるなら、ボートを前に進めようとする時に、オールで漕いで進む方法があります。オールで漕いだ分だけ前にボートを進めることができますが、もっと良い方法として帆を張るという進め方もあるでしょう。風を帆一杯に受ければ、ボートは水上を滑るように進むはずです。遂断るということは、おしえおや様という風を受ける帆を張ることだと思っています。その風を遂断りという帆で受ければ、自分の周囲の巡り合わせが、タイミングが良くなり、自分を助けてくれる人が現れたり、必要な道具が授かったりして、遂断らない時と違って明らかに献身がはかどっていきます。
また、遂断ってさせていただくと、どんな結果になっても、おしえおや様の風に乗っているのだから、きっと良いことになると思えるようになりました。
海外団参錬成でデーモンさんが講義の時間を待っていた時に声を掛けさせていただけたのは、遂断って推進の献身をさせていただけたからだと思います。その言葉に対して、感謝の気持ちを持っていただけたのならば、おしえおや様の遂断りが働いたのだと思います。デーモンさん以外の方にも気付かせていただいた表現をさせていただきました。錬成の推進とは、その積み重ねだと思っています。
今年の教祖祭団参で、外国から多くのPL会員が聖地を訪れましたが、皆さんには、錬成課をはじめとした多くのスタッフが遂断りながら、気付かせていただいたことを大切にしながら、献身をさせていただいたと思っています。
以上が、私がPL教師にならせていただいた経緯と献身の時に心がけていることです。
ありがとうございました。

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Wednesday’s greeting

Wednesday's greeting

Isn’t this a great quote. I read it once, then a second time, 10 words, well put together. Another way of say “Life is Art” the first PL Precept.
I dearly want you to meet Sensei Fukito Kimura, the minister I told you about in an earlier blog. From PL Holy Land in Tondabayasghi, Osaka,Japan. He found a way to communicate with me even though neither of us spoke the other’s language. No, not through a translator, on a one on one. ( I was in Japan for Rensei training, blog(s) would be back in early August for those of you wanting a re read)

I was so impressed with his sincerity,kindness and overall demeanor I asked Rev. Goto to ask him if I could communicate further with him once back in Canada.  He graciously agreed.  It has been a challenge, but I did manage to ask him to tell me how he became a minister with PL, and why.  He did write, (Rev. Euguene) our minister here in Ottawa) kindly did the translation for me.   Now here dear reader, is where one of my lessons in life, has to be put into practice. Somehow in the getting the file from the church to my computer it got corrupted.  Patience is one of the virtues, I have had to learn and practice, and to do it creatively =^_^=.  (Rev. Eugene is away)

Rev Kimura

Meet Sensei  Fukito Kimura, a young family man dedicated to his craft.  He had not thought of being a minister till well into the last years of his schooling.  Once that decision was taken, he never looked back.  He had a church, but was called back to the Holy Land headquarters to  work there.  He is the Coordinator of Rensei Training.  He derives great joy and sense of reward in what he does.  On the shy side, he at first appears reserved, but when you watch him in action, ensuring all runs smoothly for the many many attendees,  you realize he is focused on what he is doing.  He is living in the moment.  His words when he wrote were gentle and wise.

When I get the translation again, I will post his response in Japanese for those of you who read Japanese, because I believe that it will be a true reflection of Sensei Fukito’s words.  And the English translation.

I know today’s teaching was on the Value of Money and Things…  but I wanted to talk about the value of Friendships and how  a real connection with another person will always be through a sincere desire to reach out and embrace that person with a love that speaks from the “heart” 

Become a peace maker in life, a smile goes a long way, not everyone is lovable, we don’t always succeed at being gracious or kind, but we can all work towards a happier day. It begins with one tiny step at a time.

Emphasize on the inner spiritual energy of love and peace… Blessings all…

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public bathrooms – Japan- for children

public bathrooms - Japan- for children

I found this to be absolutely one of the best ideas for parents who are traveling with children. the cubicles are only so high, so the child has his privacy, but the parent can watch to see that he/she is safe and doing alright.

I loved the idea.  This is the little girl’s side.

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Then there is this side for the young boys.

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Really now isn’t that just ingenious?  Had I not been traveling through Japan with friends who knew the country, I would have missed a lot of the super fabulous sights that I got to see and take in.  Their toilets were an experience, mine at home, and what I see here now that I’m back home are so boring.  Bet you didn’t expect to be reading about toilets, however you must agree that this idea of having the child size bathrooms available in public areas, where time is almost always a factor in the getting to and from in a very busy train /transportation system is fab!

The Japanese call the rush hour tsukin jigoku or “commuter hell”...  Commuter trains – I read stats for  back in the the late 80’s.  The figure for the system  was something like 19 million passengers a day on 28,000 trains.  Old people, and parents with children in tow stay off the trains during the rush hour.  The shopping including restaurants are top notch in the stations where you enter,leave and transfer.  Can you tell I was most impressed.  The cleanliness will get me going on a whole new topic. =^_^=

Saying “Thank You” creates a heart to heart connection.  Every day I thank Rev. Goto and his family for including me in their trip  to Japan.  Yes I was going for Rensei training. but had I not been gently encouraged and supported to step outside my comfort zone, I would have missed the opportunity of a lifetime.  I listened to the “spirit within” and I am filled with a deep gratitude when a memory surfaces.  i.e. seeing the pictures of the children’s bathrooms.

Use Sunday to recharge, make time for yourself, if you can, attend church,  Kahlil Gibran said something like, “pray in times of distress and need, but also in the fullness of your joy and in days of abundance”

Affirm your faith, not your doubts!

photos thanks to Waku Goto

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quinta-ferian todo mundo- Thursday hola!

quinta-ferian todo mundo- Thursday hola!

Now this was exciting.  I’ve been to fireworks before, we are lucky that here in Canada’s capital area there is a big casino that hosts International firework competitions every summer. Countries come from all over the world to compete, the shows are mind boggling.

However dear readers, this humble picture taken with my smart phone was one of many I took trying to capture the thrill and excitement of being  right under  the captivating spell of a dazzling display of fireworks (in Japan) that lasted about 45 minutes. One magnificent show of colour and artistry after another. You really had to be there. (I have been promised pictures from other members who had cameras, video cams etc. I’ll share when they arrive)

That is pretty much what life is like isn’t it. We can be spectators to what is going on around us, or we can be participants. Pl encourages us to Challenge everything with enthusiasm
Get in there… be the star of your own moment….
You will be rewarded with joy and new encounters that will give long lasting happy memories.

Oh Boy! It’s Thursday.. wow where has the week gone..
Isn’t life a blast. (am I dating myself again!)  =^_^=

Double blessings.. why, because you deserve it.. life is good and you are part of it. I hold you all so dear in my heart.

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C’est mecredi! It’s Wednesday!

C'est mecredi! It's Wednesday!

This is another picture taken in Japan during Rensei Training. July/August 2013
On the right is Rev. Tokuo Itagaki, this man was tireless in his encouragement and hosting of all events! The “go to” man for everything. This picture came to me from a PL member from California (thanks Harry) in it you can see more of the entertainers who came by to share time with us.
(Kappa-Za children’s Theatre Group) The key figure that you saw yesterday and is also in this picture is Kimaru. When you chant his name, he comes out to play =^_^=

Well dear reader, here we are half way through the week, amazing eh. Has it been a good week so far?

Today’s teaching on the PL calendar is
“Letting Go of Your Ego Will Make You a Stronger Person”
If you are always caught up with power,status or appearances, you will have a hard time accomplishing anything of worth.
Let go and express yourself fully

Yesterday I am pleased to say that I managed very nicely to avoid any of the above “traps”, kept to myself, got what I wanted and needed to be done accomplished, all with a smile .. A smile works wonders. Granted I was one tired puppy by the time I got home, but I slept like a lamb.

Life isn’t always full of joy filled moments, but if we (me, myself and I) keep a smile and a happy disposition, the day usually works out to be ok,  laughter does win the day.

Enjoy the day, if you live far away, enjoy what is left of the day and have a wonderful night of carefree dreams.

May healing energies bless those of you needing the healing “hug”, If you have extra energy to give, pray that those needing our love feel it in their lives today.

Blessings to each and everyone of you.

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Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Happy Tuesday Everyone!

Tuesday in some retail areas is senior’s day!
Tuesday is a double Happy day…
Rain today will wash all your blues away..
Sunshine will brighten the dullness away
Don’t even try to have a bummer day
It is just not allowed, on this most memorable of days.
YOUR smile can spread cheer to those around you
We are joined in the spirit of PL,
our smiles will transform the day……..
PL teaching… A person who is always pleasant and cheerful can spread their joy wherever they go.
From Honolulu to Tim buck too…
PL is here for you.

Blessings of the day everyone! I love you!

photo – Japanese puppet used by PL Japan to bring PL teachings through theatre, video,media.  Young and old are captivated by the stories and plays.

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PL Spain

PL Spain

A happier, more positive group I have yet to meet, These charmers were a delight to be around. When we were walking with the flags, their enthusiasm and gusto was catching. What better example of Living Life with Good Rhythm.

During the course of a day, new things happen all the time.
Being positive in life, allows for you to flow with the rhythm of the life, flexibly and willingly. Life is Art.

photo -taken by the group from Spain, that is Ana on the far right, she is the coordinator sharing with me.  It was thanks to them that we have the wonderful picture of the Peace Tower I used yesterday

The song is a PL song and my favourite, it is one of the songs we sang as we marched together to the celebrations with the flags.

Share the love everyone.  Love is what make the world go around.  Love is life…. Blessings to you all!

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PL Peace Tower – Holy Land – Japan

PL Peace Tower - Holy Land - Japan

Life is Art – “The Foundation of our Faith.
Annually we hold a Peace Tower Ceremony The spirits of all those who lost their lives in wars, regardless of race, religion or nationality are memorialized at the alter of the Peace Tower.

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This picture does not do this room justice, it is an awesome sight, and the feeling when one enters is unique and powerful.  There are two arms (rooms) that branch out from this central alter.  In the ceremony we console the spirits of the dead and pray for the everlasting peace of  humankind.

On the first of every month – we celebrate Day of Peace.  Through this ceremony we pray for World Peace and dedicate ourselves to live as peaceful human beings.   Today being September 1. this is what we celebrated in church.

 ALLO – Bonjour _ Hello – Hola – Konnichi wa   Being at the church always is a feel good moment, today though, I have a whole lot of extra good vibes, oddles and oodles…in fact.. I’m going to share it all with you…

Before I leave you. remember that September 14, we are having a garage sale – lots and lots of “stuff” “vintage” “new” and surprises.. if you live in the area, don’t miss out!

Believe me this smile is power packed with a lot of love and blessings – please have a great day where-ever you are, and should there be a tear or two, believe me, you are not alone, close your eyes and feel the hug that a wish of love can bring you.  Need a special prayer, we can do that too.  PL is here for YOU

smilePencil
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Perfect Liberty – church of

2012-12-11 Church PL 5.13 003

Good Morning everyone!

One should never assume.  Here  I have been happily blogging away about my life with Perfect Liberty, thinking everyone knew about the church of Perfect Liberty or had heard of it.  My apologies.  Above is the church in Ottawa, Canada. There are also churches in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, New York and Hawaii.  These are the churches in North America.  For the locations of the churches in Brazil, Argentina, etc. you would need to contact the Holy Land in Japan,  In Japan there is a network of churches all across the country.  It is my understanding that the next huge network is in Brazil    .  Pertfect LIberty HQ > 2172 -1 Shindo > Tondabayashi, Osaka 584-8651  Japan

The Ottawa PL Church branches out, Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver with little communities in between.  The PL Church in NY is headed by Rev. T. Goto (Sr. Minister) who was our Sr. Minister here in Ottawa for approx. 13 years.  He is now located in Jackson Hts, NY. and can be reached by e-mail or phone.  The phone # is (718) 424-8815.   The Ottawa phone number is (613) 225-1850, Rev. Eugene (Sr. Minister) and  Rev. Tiago are available 7 days a week, to assist you.

New York and Ottawa are in the Eastern Time Zone.. when it is noon here, it is  9 a.m. on the Pacific Coast.  Japan is 13 hours ahead of us. Again noon here, would be 1 a.m. the next day in Japan.  At the moment the Canadian website is the most current, http://www.perfectliberty.ca   any and all contact information given us is confidential.  Should you wish to send me information I will forward it to the contact nearest you.

Los Angeles CA USA, phone number is (310) 328-4861          San Francisco,CA  USA  (415) 665-3131         Oakland, CA USA (510) 531-5155

Honolulu, Hawaii   (808) 537-3237 –

Pl Church (Perfect Liberty) has a history that goes back to the First Founder Rev. Tokuharu Miki who was formerly a Buddhist priest,the story begins in 1912, when Rev Miki met Rev. Tokumitsu Kanada.  Our history is fascinating one and one we will look forward to sharing with you.  The Second Founder was Rev. Tokuchika Miki, who passed away Feb. 2. 1983.  Our current ( Third ) Founder is  Rev Takahito Miki

The PL 21 Precepts are the basis of the PL Teachings.  They reveal the true path of life for all humankind.  Beginning with PRECEPT #1   Life is Art”  – It is these precepts that I write about and live in my life on a daily basis.  For me PL is a way of life.  Not just a philosophy or teaching. Like the TAO it transcends  all earthly definition.   I invite you to join  me in my travels in life for we are connected by the ONE and only divine energy of Universal Oneness -God/Tao           The flames spell out    LIFE IS ART

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