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Shikan Taza Setsumei Kai (Shikan Meditation Briefing) posted: 1/06/ 2011 May 29th saw the presentation of Tendai Shu's Shikan Taza meditation in the tiny C.W.A Hall, Beerwah, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Since my ordination into Tendai Shu in 2005, I have spent the larger part of my time not only extending my field of studies and practises but equally importantly, in what direction my Tendai/ Buddhist teaching would develop. Being aware that such practises can be both alien and daunting, I wanted to offer the opportunity of presenting the practise of Shikan Taza so that those interested would have a clearer idea of what it involved. It also presented the opportunity, to some degree, of removing 'the idea of Zen' and planting perhaps a stronger understanding of what Zen is. The afternoon was divided into four sections. In the first, i spoke a little about my own spiritual journey, Tian Tai and Tendai Buddhism, what Shikan Taza is, practise and benefits, the Sho Shikan (introductory practices) and what was hoped to be achieved- the stablishment of a permanent study/practice as a result of the presentation. In general the afternoon went very well and the information was very well recieved with positive feedback. A few of those attending, indicated interest in forming a Tendai Shikan Taza group which will hopefully begin mid-July. The group will work through the ten steps of Master Zhiyi's Sho Shikan presented through practices of Joza Zammai (Continued seated meditation) for the first five steps, followed by Hangyo Hanza Zammai (half seated/ half walking meditation for the remainder. The meditation text for the practises will be Seng Ts'An's 31 verse "On Believing in Mind". On completion of the course of practuse and study, those attending will then be given the opportunity to take on more, extended and focused practise. Some interest was also shown in the use of the sword, quite a common mode of Zen training in Japan, as an optional method of study and practise. However, an actual group for this is going to depend on the clear understanding that sword practise is to be viewed as a means to understanding Buddhism through Self and not as an end in itself. As in perhaps, some schools of Kyudo (Japanese Archery). Gassho (Jiryo Moxon)

Shikan Taza Briefing: Karuna Coleman's experience posted 1/06/2011 Hello, I am an Australian and my name is Karuna Coleman. I attended Reverend Jiryo Moxon's introduction to Tendai on Sunday afternoon at the C.W.A Hall in Beerwah Queensland. After listening to Reverend Jiryo, I have decided to attend his classes in Beerwah that will commence in July. I felt his sincerity and dedication throughout the talk. I enjoyed the heart-to-heart connection he had to all there. He was informative and clear. I could see the genuine interest of other people who also attended his information session that afternoon, and I paticipated in discussion with others also expressing that they too will join his up and coming classes. Thank you Karuna Coleman

Ara Ryokan Sensei receives a Commendation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Honolulu

On July 25th 2011 (Japan time), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made an official announcement of the recipients of the Foreign Minister's Commendation for 2011. From Hawaii, Mr. Ara Ryokan, Advisor to the United Japanese Society of Hawaii, has been selected to receive the Commendation.

The Foreign Minister's Commendation is awarded to those who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of the mutual understanding and friendly relations between Japan and other countries through economic and technical cooperation, information and cultural activities, and other activities to enhance international relations. The Commendations aim at praising the outstanding achievements of individuals and groups, and firther promoting the understanding and support of Japanese people for their activities. This year, sixty-eight individuals and thirty groups (nine individuals and three groups from the United States) have been selected to receive the award.

When Bishop Ara first arrived in Hawaii in the early 1970's to establish the Tendai Mission, his dedication was towards assimilating into the local culture, transcending the parametersw of Sectarian Buddhism and the religious sector as a whole, and becoming more involved in the activities of the Community. Bishop Ara started the Tendai Cultural Classrooms at his Mission, where lessons in the arts of calligraphy, ikebana, Japanese style painting, tea-ceremony among others were taught. This was later expanded to become the Hawaii Bijutsukan, or the Hawaii Institute of Arts, the first and only Japanese focused institution of its kind, where each year an exhibition is held featuring artwork submitted by local artists.

In 1975, Bishop Ara, established the Hawaii Ichigu Kai, or the Hawaii chapter of the "One Corner"/ "Light Up One Corner Society", a service organisation based on Buddhist teachings and philosophy. One of the groups projects included the videotaping of testimonials from 100 Issei's. These records have been since donated to the Bishop Museum on the occassion of the 100th anniversary of the arrival of Japanese contract immigrants known as the Kanyaku Imin in 1985. Subsequently Bishop Ara was compelled to document the personal wartime experiences of Nisei soldiers and compiled them into a book entitled: Hawaii Nikkei Beihei: Watashitachi wa nani to tatakatta no ka, which was published in Japan. An English version of the book was published by the University of Hawaii, and has been deemed a most important resource in the study of the history of Japanese-Americans in Hawaii.

During the Kanyaku Imin anniversary, as President of the Hawaii Buddhist Council, Bishop Ara successfully coordinated the Japanese-American Buddhist Conference and the Japanese-American Buddhist Studies Convention with the participation of not only Tendai Mission members, but those of other Buddhist sects as well. He has also contributed to promoto Toro Nagashi, or the Buddhist Floating Lantern Ceremony, which is now held every year on Memorial Day at Ala Moana's Magic Island in Honolulu.

Bishop Ara continues to serve as a leading figure in many Japanese-American organizations within the Hawaiin community.

(Ara Ryokan Sensei is the teacher and guide of the Tendai Sangha of Australia's founding Priest Jiryo Moxon)

Gassho