February
10 (2013) --John Amari, who works within an intellectual property organization.
He will talk about’ “Intellectual Property and the Right to Community Identity. Should the terms "Parmigiano" and
"Champagne" be used exclusively by people who live in those regions
or also by similar producers who use the same processes and ingredients? Originally a fight between old Europe and
North America, as intellectual property laws and values spread, the issue will
become more important in Asia, Africa, and South America. As usual it is at the International House in Roppoingi at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Everyone is welcome to
March 10 (although many will be
away--please invite a friend!) The Rev.Gene Reeves, tentative topic-- "A
Unitarian in East Asia: Autobiographical Reflections on Liberal Religion."
April 14 Mizue Tsukushi, president of Good
Bankers Co.Ltd., "Ethical Investment--potential for growth in Japan" participate in the meeting.
Jan 13 meeting summary -
A Requiem is a musical piece composed for the consolation of
the dead and those left behind. Steven G.
Morgan, well known conductor of the British Embassy Choir, took us through the
process of his writing of “In pace: A Requiem of Peace” for the Rikkyo (St. Paul)
University’s All Souls Day traditional concert.
With agreement by the school and alumni, he reached beyond the
traditional Christian themes. In
addition to music adopted to parts of The Book of Common Prayer and the
Compline Responsory, he included fascinating texts from Rabindranath Tagore’s
Gintanjali, Thich Nhat Hanh’s Call Me by My True Names, and Black Elk’s The
Sacred Pipe, and John Henry Newman.
In our room on the fourth floor above the wonderfully sunlit
gardens of the International House, he played for us some of the pieces as song
and played at Rikkyo by a mixed chorus, baritone and orchestra. The Requiem has also been performed in Denver
by a larger group with a CD coming out soon.
From the second part, Because I Love this Life (words by
Tagore)
“I was not aware of the moment when I first crossed the threshold
of this life. What was the power that
made me open out into this vast mystery like a bud in the forest at
midnight!
When in the morning I looked upon the light I felt in a
moment that I was no stranger in this world, that the inscrutable without name
and form had taken me in its arms in the form of my own mother.
Even so, in death the same unknown will appear as ever known
to me. And because I love this life, I
know I shall love death as well.
The child cries out when from the right breast the mother
takes it away, in the very next moment to find in the left one its consolation.”
Ten of us heard the presentation; five joined the speaker
for dinner for further exploration. Anyone
interested is always welcome at our little discussion group at the
International House in Roppongi, usually at 3 p.m. second Sunday of the month.
