We continue to pray that peace be restored to your lives and the lives of those throughout the world as soon as possible.

Measures to prevent the spread of the Novel coronavirus have been promoted throughout the United States and also abroad for some time now, but many have lost their precious lives to the disease. When I think of the pain and grief of the bereaved families, I am overcome with emotion. I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to them. As we continue to pray for the healing of all those who are affected, we would also like to express our sincere and heartfelt gratitude to all those on the frontlines working tirelessly to save the lives of many. Let us continue praying for God's blessing to flow into each of these selfless workers.

We in Seicho-No-Ie understand the phrase in the “Divine Message of Grand Harmony,” “Be reconciled with the whole universe.  When you are so reconciled the whole universe is your friend….” to be the foundation of the movement and have been practicing and sharing that way of life which is grateful to and reveres the whole universe. However, through the spread of the Novel Coronavirus, we have learned that what we must be most mindful of the “evils of anthropocentrism.” The President of Seicho-No-Ie, Rev. Masanobu Taniguchi, taught us the following in the “Prayer to Visualize Grand Harmony Between Nature and Human Beings” published nine years ago:

“…There is no way that human beings only will prosper and live eternally abundantly while driving any living things to extinction and destroying the giving and sustaining system within nature.  The composition of the world of Grand Harmony is such that all living species flourish only when they help, supplement and complement, and give to one another.  Human beings not recognizing that, and instead thinking of other living things as ‘tools,’ or ‘the enemy,’ or moreover, even as a ‘hindrance,’ are changing a world that is by nature stable into an unstable one.  Human beings need to learn from that ‘failed creative work.’”

Although it appears that we will continue to experience difficult and challenging times, let us further deepen our faith in God of absolute goodness, respect nature that God has given us, not destroy it but change our way of life to one which coexists with all living things! Moreover, let us dedicate ourselves to expanding the circle of those who practice that same way of life.

All of our Seicho-No-Ie centers remain closed, but Sunday Services and other various events are being held online. Please contact your nearby center for additional information and join us.

We are continuing with our online daily prayer session beginning at 1:00 PM PDT to prevent the spread of infection of the coronavirus. We hope you will join us.

My prayers are with you for your ever-increasing good health.

Sincerely in Gassho,

Rev. Yoshiko Teshigawara, Bishop

Seicho-No-Ie U.S. Missionary Headquarters