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On October 4, over 200 members and friends of Soto Zen temples and zen centers from Hawaii, North America, South America, Europe and Japan gathered at the Tokyo Grand Hotel (Soto Shu Shumucho Headquarters) in Tokyo, Japan. There were 14 people from Hawaii that attended this event including Rev. Oyama. Fonner ministers ofMantokuji, Rev. Seigo Hanuki and Rev. Ui Otani were also in attendance. We also saw former Hawaii ministers; Rev. Yodo Oyama (Waipahu), Rev. Koichi Miyoshi (Kauai), Rev. Kotoku Yoshida (Betsuin), Rev. Shunko Sakai (Betsuin), Rev. Ryuji Tamiya (Kona), Rev. Naoyuki Iijima (Betsuin), Rev. Bunryu Oyama (Rev. Oyama’s brother) and Rev. ffirosato Yoshida (Rev. Yoshida’s son).

Booths for each Bishop’s Office (Hawaii, North America, South America, and Europe) sold items from their respective districts and played a dvd that showed the activities and temples of each area.

The event started with a World Peace Memorial Ceremony, a keynote lecture given by Associate Professor Noriyuki Ueda, slideshow presentation of each district, a panel discussion, and ended with a social gathering with pupus and drinks. The Soto Zen International group then hosted a dinner get together at a nearby Chinese restaurant.

The next day, October 5, started off with the Bodhi Dharma Memorial Ceremony (Daruma-ki) and a tour of the Soto Shu Shumucho office. Then we were off to visit Chokokuj~ the branch temple of Daihonzan Eiheiji, and from there we moved on to Komazawa University Fukazawa Campus for lunch and to listen to the lectures on the theme: Sotoshu and Modern Japan. The question and answer period that followed was very impressive. We then rode the bus to Daihonzan Sojiji in Tsurumi, Kanagawa where we had our dinner, and then listened to an enlightening dharma talk by Rev. Shoko Morita (Godo Roshi of Sojiji).

The next morning, we woke up at 3:30am for morning zazen and then went to the temple hall for the morning service, memorial service for the deceased former ministers who served overseas, and a ceremony for the I OOth Anniversary of the relocation of Daihonzan Sojiji officiated by Bishop Dosho Saikawa (South America). After a short tour of Sojiji and breakfast we all said farewell to the new friends that we made and were on our way. It was the frrst time that we had an event like this that included all the Soto Zen temples from all over the world. It was a very fulfilling and meaningful three days for all.