ON JUNE 19, 2017 AT SENMYOZAN HOKKEJI TEMPLE
The celebration of 19th Men Division General Meeting took place at the Senmyozan Hokkeji Temple on the 19th June, 2017. A total of 491 members from Ghana, Togo, La Cote D’ivoire including all the other division members and guests attended the meeting which was under the theme:
‘’ Let Us Achieve Our Shakubuku with Abundant Diamoku and March Forward Towards a Joyful Celebration of Hokkeji Temple’s 20th Anniversary in 2018’’
The meeting commenced at 9:00am with one hour shodai and a ceremonial Gongyo led by Chief Priest Rev. Shindo Imafuku. Five (5) people received Gojukai and there was one Gohonzon bestowal ceremony.
The M.C., Nana Kojo Baah Tieku I, introduced the members, guests and the programme of the meeting. The Chief Priest then delivered his lecture which was translated in both Twi and French on the topic: SHAKUBUKU.
Rev. Imafuku used the five guiding instructions of a French Bed Company in his lecture as follows:
- Have faith. Belief is mental nourishment and a powerful weapon that breaks everything.
- Make one second into two seconds. Time is better than gold.
- Even if it is impossible to do it once, it gets better. It is most dangerous to conclude without doing it.
- Have passion for work. Whether you fail or succeed depends on the degree of passion rather than the ability of a person.
- Do not forget creative ingenuity. The fountain of ideas leads to prosperity with you and the company.
Chief Priest Rev. Shindo Imafuku encouraged members to have an absolute and unwavering faith in the Dai-Gohonzon through the doing of sincere daily Gongyo and Shodai, make meaningful strive in their daily practice by using time effectively and challenge themselves through taking action to conduct Shakubuku. He also stressed the need for members devote themselves with passion to support and complement each other efforts in the conduct of Shakubuku in the spirit of Itai doshin.
He concluded his lecture by asking everyone present to further devote themselves in conducting Shodai and Shakubuku, aiming towards the achievement of our Shakubuku objectives for this year.
The Men Division Chief, Mr. Samuel Marlai Martey then delivered his message which was followed with songs by the Lotus Flowers Choral Group.
The first part of the meeting came to a close with the vote of thanks by Mr. Kwame Bediako Aboagye and Daimoku Sansho.
FOOD BAZAAR
The second part of the celebration witnessed the preparation and sale of various sumptuous meals by Men Division members from the various districts. The priests (Rev. Imafuku and Assistant Priest, Rev. Jozen Suenaga) also participated in this food bazaar with their preparation of Japanese Curry Rice. The meals sold by the various districts are on this occasion are as follows:
- Accra North- “Akaw” ( a dish of boiled cocoyam with hot pepper sauce)
- Accra South- “Banku” (corn dough meal)and Tilapia (fish),
- Accra East- Fruit Salad and Green Tea,
- Accra West- “Ampesi” (boiled plantain or yam with stew),
- Tema North- “Apapransa” ( a preparation of maize, groundnut & soyabeans with palm –nut soup),
- Tema South- steamed Baracuda with gravy (“Fante- Fante”),
- Kumasi- “Eto” (mashed plantain with onions and groundnuts, garnished with pam oil
- Takoradi- “Fomfom” – a form of corn dough meal and garden eggs stew,
- Sunyani- Ampesi ,
- Tarkwa- Wassa Pudding,
- Legon- Tilapia Soup,
- Hokkeji- “Onaapo” Jollof with Fried Pork,
- Togo- “Dzenkume Ademe” – preparation with maize with okro soup with green vegetables , meat and fish
The meals were highly patronized against a backdrop of ‘Kete’ (the name of cultural dance) – drumming and dancing by Kumasi members. The proceeds of the sales were donated to the Hokkeko to support various projects.
The Men Division General Meeting was in conclusion a big success demonstrating the importance of the strong faith and unity among members.
Earlier on Saturday, 18th June 2017 at 3.00pm, the Chapter All leaders Meeting was held at the Tempe to deliberate on the programmes and targets set for the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Senmyozan Hokkeji Temple in February 2018.