Life and Uncertainty
“For our May 9th speaker, Chuck Olson will be talking about Thoughts on Life with Uncertainty. It will be based on lessons learned from being raised in the desert, exposed to casinos, atomic bomb tests, magic (sleight of hand), hypnosis and the 60’s in general, as well as a career as a journalist, teacher, engineering assistant, stock analyst and CFO, and insights picked up during 35 years in Japan.”
The meeting will be held as usual at the International House in Roppongi from 3-5 p.m. with the usual dinner afterwards for those who want to join. Everyone is welcome.
In April, several members enjoyed the beautiful weather, singing and dancing at the International Hanamatsuri of the Rissho Kosei-kai, with Bonnie's Gospel singing sharing the outdoor stage with singers and dancers from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh and Gene Reeves gave the Darma Talk. It was a beautiful day to celebrate a birthday, the Buddha's or anyone else's.
Moderator Peggy Kanada
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Friday, April 9, 2010
Easter Reminder - Hanamatsuri
Dear Unitarian Fellowship members and friends,
Greetings at Easter-time, may it be a time of renewal and hope for you.
April 11th (Sunday) Hanamatsuri
(Ceremony and festival for world peace in celebration of the birth of the historic Buddha, Shakyamuni)
Sponsored by International Buddhist Congregation of Rissho Kosei-kai (all in English),
------several South Asian Buddhists will also join, Rev. Gene Reeves will speak
------our member Bonnie McClure plans to sing
Lunch and cultural activities (all free, with a donation)
From 11:00
Former Risshokai Headquaters, 1-15-1 Wada, Suginami-ku,
Place: 5 minutes from Nakano-Fujimi-cho station on Marunouchi Subway Line (about ten minutes from Shinjuku)
Be sure to take the train to Honan-cho NOT THE TRAIN FOR OGIKUBO (change at Saka-no-ue)
No meeting at International House in April.
Out next meeting will be May 9th, 3,00 at International House
Peggy Kanada, moderator Unitarian Fellowship of Tokyo
Greetings at Easter-time, may it be a time of renewal and hope for you.
April 11th (Sunday) Hanamatsuri
(Ceremony and festival for world peace in celebration of the birth of the historic Buddha, Shakyamuni)
Sponsored by International Buddhist Congregation of Rissho Kosei-kai (all in English),
------several South Asian Buddhists will also join, Rev. Gene Reeves will speak
------our member Bonnie McClure plans to sing
Lunch and cultural activities (all free, with a donation)
From 11:00
Former Risshokai Headquaters, 1-15-1 Wada, Suginami-ku,
Place: 5 minutes from Nakano-Fujimi-cho station on Marunouchi Subway Line (about ten minutes from Shinjuku)
Be sure to take the train to Honan-cho NOT THE TRAIN FOR OGIKUBO (change at Saka-no-ue)
No meeting at International House in April.
Out next meeting will be May 9th, 3,00 at International House
Peggy Kanada, moderator Unitarian Fellowship of Tokyo
Sunday, February 28, 2010
The Nature Of Qi (Ki) March 14 at Intl House, Roppoing
March 14th 3:00 at International House (4th fl seminar room)
Speaker: Dr. Yamamura "The Nature Of Qi (Ki)"
YAMAMURA Masaichi taught biochemistry at Tokai U Medical school from 1981 until his retirement last year. Besides being a medical doctor, with another degree in pharmacology from Osaka Univ., he rec'd a Phd from the Univ of London where his research included bone transplantation. His talk will be an intellectually stimulating introduction to scientific research that touches on alternative Asian medicine, aging, and mind/body connections.
Please invite a friend or student to join us.
NOTE: In April there will be NO MEETING at 3:00 at International House.
Instead we will be guests of the International Buddhist Congregation in a celebration of Buddha's birthday (Hanamatsuri)
Sunday April 11th 11:00 Service (in English)
Followed by lunch and cultural programs (including a tea ceremony,activities for children, music)
Place: Original Main Hall (and co-founders garden) Rissho Kosei-kai
5 mins from Nakano-Fujimicho station on Marunouchi subway line (about 15 mins from Shinjuku)
Speaker: Dr. Yamamura "The Nature Of Qi (Ki)"
YAMAMURA Masaichi taught biochemistry at Tokai U Medical school from 1981 until his retirement last year. Besides being a medical doctor, with another degree in pharmacology from Osaka Univ., he rec'd a Phd from the Univ of London where his research included bone transplantation. His talk will be an intellectually stimulating introduction to scientific research that touches on alternative Asian medicine, aging, and mind/body connections.
Please invite a friend or student to join us.
NOTE: In April there will be NO MEETING at 3:00 at International House.
Instead we will be guests of the International Buddhist Congregation in a celebration of Buddha's birthday (Hanamatsuri)
Sunday April 11th 11:00 Service (in English)
Followed by lunch and cultural programs (including a tea ceremony,activities for children, music)
Place: Original Main Hall (and co-founders garden) Rissho Kosei-kai
5 mins from Nakano-Fujimicho station on Marunouchi subway line (about 15 mins from Shinjuku)
Camii Mosque Visit February 21, 2010
On Feb 21 Fellowship and CWAJ members and other guests (38 people) joined Vivek Pinto to visit the Turkish founded Camii Mosque (in Yoyogi-Uehara). The new building (rebuilt in 2000) is a beautiful example of Turkish/Ottoman style dome architecture and calligraphic decoration. Imam Yenturk spoke eloquently about the practices and beliefs of Islam, emphasising the non-violent and humane teachings of the faith. We were fortunate to have Nadia El Borai (a CWAJ member) and a practicing Muslim originally from Egypt to add her insightful perspective to our question and answer session, chaired by Vivek who had also prepared and made copies of an excellent reference/glossary for us.
By Peggy Kanada, moderator
Women and religion - February topic
Our February fellowship meeting hosted the Rev. Gene Reeves who spoke about women in Buddhism. He started with foundational Buddhism and "female monks" who were important in the centuries after the historic Buddha Shakyamuni taught. There were many historic and cultural reasons for continuing discrimination against women both in religious orders and among Buddhist laity. However he pointed out the inclusive and non-discriminatory message of the Lotus Sutra (despite certain passages)--that all can be bodhisattvas of compassion and achieve enlightenment-- within Mahayana teachings.
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Jan 10 Speaker What it is like Growing up Unitarian
After a long series of speakers on other religions and cultures, the group is going to start off the new year talking about the group that has given us our name.
On January 10th, Skip Swanson will talk to us about what it was like growing up in a Unitarian Church. His parents were married in the church, were active and he grew up in Des Moines as a member before wondering off to Tokyo and searching for other alternatives, but still feels like that church is his church.
Skip is a 20-year resident of Japan, a great piano player, sings in the British Embassy choir and is a personal and relationship coach and teacher. None of that says much about what he will talk about, but it is all part of his charm. He also will be one of the younger speakers that the group has had for some time.
After the war, the Unitarian Fellowship of Tokyo had many members of all ages, with enough family members with children that care had to be provided for them. The participation of late has tended to an older group, but either through good luck or a response to reach out more, four totally new persons showed up last week and were very welcome. Hopefully, this will be the start of a trend.
If you need help finding the meeting place, please feel free to call the International House, as they are very helpful.
On February 14, the speaker will be Gene Reeves speaking on Women in Buddhism. Details to follow.
Seasons Greetings.
On January 10th, Skip Swanson will talk to us about what it was like growing up in a Unitarian Church. His parents were married in the church, were active and he grew up in Des Moines as a member before wondering off to Tokyo and searching for other alternatives, but still feels like that church is his church.
Skip is a 20-year resident of Japan, a great piano player, sings in the British Embassy choir and is a personal and relationship coach and teacher. None of that says much about what he will talk about, but it is all part of his charm. He also will be one of the younger speakers that the group has had for some time.
After the war, the Unitarian Fellowship of Tokyo had many members of all ages, with enough family members with children that care had to be provided for them. The participation of late has tended to an older group, but either through good luck or a response to reach out more, four totally new persons showed up last week and were very welcome. Hopefully, this will be the start of a trend.
If you need help finding the meeting place, please feel free to call the International House, as they are very helpful.
On February 14, the speaker will be Gene Reeves speaking on Women in Buddhism. Details to follow.
Seasons Greetings.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Visit to the Tokyo Camii Mosque, Yoyogi–Uehara Feb 21, 2010
Visit to the Tokyo Camii Mosque, Yoyogi–Uehara
Join Prof. Vivek Pinto on a study visit to this Turkish founded and oldest mosques in the Tokyoarea on Sunday, 21 February, 2010. It will be an unique opportunity to experience and learn about Islam in English.
2:15 Meet at the ticket wicket (kaisatsu) of Yoyogi-Uehara Station (Chiyoda and Odakyu lines).
2:30 Introduction at mosque (front lounge).
2:45 Observe prayers. Women must wear scarf head-coverings, provided, or bring your own. We will sit on carpets on the floor.
3:00 Mr. H. Durakoglu of the Tokyo Camii (a Turkish word which means “the place where people get together”)
TurkishCulturalCenterwill talk about religious practices and faith concepts of Islam (English translation).
3:30 Turkish tea and further discussion with Prof. Pinto, who will have provided a glossary. Photography of the splendid calligraphic
decoration inside the mosque and architecture will be permitted after prayers.
We will collect a small fee on the day as a donation and thank you gift.
This trip is organized by the Unitarian Fellowship of Tokyo and College Women’s Association of Japan.
Numbers are limited, please RSVP to: unitarianfellowshipoftokyo@gmail.com
Join Prof. Vivek Pinto on a study visit to this Turkish founded and oldest mosques in the Tokyoarea on Sunday, 21 February, 2010. It will be an unique opportunity to experience and learn about Islam in English.
2:15 Meet at the ticket wicket (kaisatsu) of Yoyogi-Uehara Station (Chiyoda and Odakyu lines).
2:30 Introduction at mosque (front lounge).
2:45 Observe prayers. Women must wear scarf head-coverings, provided, or bring your own. We will sit on carpets on the floor.
3:00 Mr. H. Durakoglu of the Tokyo Camii (a Turkish word which means “the place where people get together”)
TurkishCulturalCenterwill talk about religious practices and faith concepts of Islam (English translation).
3:30 Turkish tea and further discussion with Prof. Pinto, who will have provided a glossary. Photography of the splendid calligraphic
decoration inside the mosque and architecture will be permitted after prayers.
We will collect a small fee on the day as a donation and thank you gift.
This trip is organized by the Unitarian Fellowship of Tokyo and College Women’s Association of Japan.
Numbers are limited, please RSVP to: unitarianfellowshipoftokyo@gmail.com
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