Tokyo Unitarian Fellowship

Feb. 12 "What Ballam's Ass Said, and What the Women Answered

2012-02-01T20:39:00.000-08:00

Next meeting: February 12

3:00 at International House

Unitarian Barbara Beach (joined by her husband Kim): "What Balaam’s Ass Said, and What the Women Answered”

Kim will speak briefly about "Balaam’s Ass" work he has been doing. Barbara will talk about her February activities(and about Unitarians) in the Philippines (primarily in Negros) as well as about the forthcoming gathering of Unitarian women in Romania (Transylvania) in October. Barbara after a career in business and consulting has become the president and powerhouse behind the International Convocation of UU Women which seeks to more efficiently (especially thru the internet) link up women's social activism and insights to empower women across the globe. She was the dynamic keynote speaker at the International Ass of Liberal Religious Women in Kerala, India in September 2010.

Peggy Kanada, moderator

PS Your moderator had to reread about Balaam.

While not wishing to spoil the intriguing title and their presentation here is a little background. Although there are several interpretations of the story of 'Balaam and his Ass [or Donkey]' found in the Old Testament/Torah (Bk of Numbers) it is told that Balaam is an evil non-Israelite diviner [some scholars say with possible links to Zoroastrianism] who attempts to curse the Israelites but Yaweh (God of Israel) instead puts blessings/affirmations in his mouth making him nearly as famous a prophet as Moses.

In this episode--greedy Balaam (riding his ass) is on his way to collude with another tribal king to hurt the Israelites when angry God sends his Angel to stop him. At first only the donkey can see the Angel [truth] and refuses to go forward. Balaam beats it mercilessly. The ass is given divine power to speak [power of truth] about the Angel's sword about to cut them down and suddenly Balaam can now see the Angel who tells him it was only thanks to his ass's hesitation that he was not killed. Balaam repents for the moment.

Nov. 13 Poverty in Japan, Dec. 3 : Suzuki Daisetsu-- Zen and America

2011-10-20T19:22:00.000-07:00

Dear friends and members of the Fellowship,

It is with pleasure that i announce a young person as the speaker for our next meeting.

November 13, 3:00-5:00

International House

--Near Azabu-Juban and Roppongi stations (call 3470-4611 for details)

Roy Takahashi will talk about " Poverty in Japan Today".

Currently still a student at Tokyo University, where he just won the prestigious President's Award for his topical writing for the Japan Times newspaper and participation and leadership in the the G8 Youth Summit (http://www.u-tokyo.ac.jp/stu01/h12_03_j.html). I am sure he will bring not only some interesting data about the topic but enthusiasm and energy to our discussion.

Peggy Kanada, moderator

ps On Dec 11th Prof. Miriam Levering (our own member) will talk about "Suzuki Daisetsu-- Zen and America."

Denver Unitarian's visit

2011-10-20T19:18:00.000-07:00

On Saturday October 15, 2011 ten members and friends of the Denver Unitarian church choir, under the leadership of Steve Comstock, were guided by your moderator, Peggy, and joined briefly by member Miriam Levering, through a long day of exploring Japanese religion and culture. The group was on a visit to Japan that included Takayama and Hiroshima and they spent three days in Tokyo.

Traveling and eating lunch together we had a little time also to talk about some of of their Unitarian practice and community activities. First we attended the Rissho Kosei-kai big ceremony (including gagaku music) in honor of the Historic Buddha in the Great Sacred Hall. We then had a chance to see the exhibits about RK founders and the photo of Niwano Nikkyo and UUA president Dr. Greeley (and Homer Jack etc.) in the founder's museum. Then off to Kamakura to be impressed most by the 14th century Great Buddha. What do modern Japanese believe? what is Buddhism? Amida? Shakyamuni? what is a religion, a cult? How can we work together for peace? I wish more of you from the fellowship could have joined in the discussion. peggy kanada, moderator

Correction - Meeting Time Sept 11

2011-08-21T17:42:00.000-07:00

An update for the meeting time and ceremony time for Sept. 11.

We will met at 9:40 and the ceremony will start at 10:00 (NOT 10:30)

Peggy
Sunday September 11th

Repeating original message below with correction.

   (1) Won't you join me to represent the fellowship at an English-language memorial service for the victims and bereaved of 9/11 on the 10th anniversary of the tragedy. We Unitarians will offer a prayer and join in the chanting meditation (in English) of the Lotus Sutra led by a group from the Sumida Dharma Center of Rissho Kosei-ki.

10:00 at the Iredo (Tokyo Memorial Hall and small park/musuem--that memorializes the victims of the 1923 Great Earthquake and of the Fire-bombing of Tokyo in Jan and March 1945).

     Meet: 9:40

     Place: Exit A3 of Oedo Line Ryogoku station. (If you come by JR Sobu line to JR-Ryogoku station walk around Edo Tokyo Musuem to the east side to find A3).

After the ceremony and a brief tour we plan lunch ("viking style") at the Dai-ichi Ryogoku hotel with a commanding view of Sky Tree and Sumida River.

Please contact me by email or at 080-5077-5515 if you can come.

   (2) 3:00 at International House

We will hold Our Regular Monthly Meeting as usual on Sept 11th -- Topic -- let's share our experiences and possible solutions for the random acts of violence against civilians that have plagued our world in our lifetime often in the name of religion.

Peggy Kanada, moderator

Sept 11 Activities - Next meeting

2011-07-31T21:13:00.000-07:00

Sunday September 11th

(1) Won't you join me to represent the fellowship at an English-language memorial service for the victims and bereaved of 9/11 on the 10th anniversary of the tragedy. We Unitarians will offer a prayer and join in the chanting meditation (in English) of the Lotus Sutra led by a group from the Sumida Dharma Center of Rissho Kosei-ki.

10:30 at the Iredo (Tokyo Memorial Hall and small park/musuem--that memorializes the victims of the 1923 Great Earthquake and of the Fire-bombing of Tokyo in Jan and March 1945).

Meet: 10:00

Place: Exit A3 of Oedo Line Ryogoku station. (If you come by JR Sobu line to JR-Ryogoku station walk around Edo Tokyo Musuem to the east side to find A3).

After the ceremony and a brief tour we plan lunch ("viking style") at the Dai-ichi Ryogoku hotel with a commanding view of Sky Tree and Sumida River.

Please contact me by email or at 080-5077-5515 if you can come.

(2) 3:00 at International House

We will hold Our Regular Monthly Meeting as usual on Sept 11th -- Topic -- let's share our experiences and possible solutions for the random acts of violence against civilians that have plagued our world in our lifetime often in the name of religion.

Peggy Kanada, moderator

June speaker - Prof. Norman Havens, Shinto Expert

2011-05-14T19:16:00.000-07:00

Dear members and friends of the fellowship,

Next Meeting June12th 3:00

International House Roppongi, Tokyo

At last i have confirmed our speaker Prof. Norman Havens, Kokugakuin Univ., and expert in the field of Shinto and Japanese religion. He will talk about some interesting aspects of Shinto.

He has been the longtime editor of the massive project ---Encyclopedia of Shinto, to be found on line under that title, as well as on the site of Digital Museum Kokugakuin.

You might want to check out some of the info on the site.

The meeting is open to anyone who is interested in the topic, or just some fellowship.
On May 8th we had an interesting talk by Doreen Simmons who it turned out had spoken to the fellowship nine times in the past.

She talked about of a couple of experiences of finding "the sacred"

incuding at Delphi in Greece and of shugendo training (mountain asceticism based in esoteric Buddhism). Among many things she said that she was always open to other experiences and respectful of others beliefs and practices, while never implying to others that she would give up her own Anglican faith from which she has not wavered since age 20 or 21.

A bit of sad news: i have just learned that our member Ella Rutledge decided (too suddenly in April for us to say farwell) to retire from college teaching and move back to the states. She is now in Maine, at least for the moment with her son's family. Please ask me for her address/email if you would like to contact her. We will miss her quiet comments and Unitarian oriented advice, for example about summer retreats at Star Island (New Hampshire).

peggy kanada, moderator

Remember-- no meetings in July and Aug at International House.

July 10 Pot-luck Open House at Peggy Kanada's in Iidabashi

(Kagurazaka) anytime from 3:00.

Please contact me for detailed directions or to let me know what

you can bring. Or just bring yourself and make a Yen contribution to

drinks.

May 8 Meeting Doreen Simmons - Religion in Japan

2011-04-24T01:07:00.000-07:00

Dear members and frieds of the Fellowship,

We had a lot of participants turn out for our April meeting.
Jim Dorsey, a Dartmouth professor on sabbatical in Japan, made an excellent presentation about the Japanese folk song movement of the 1960's which was thought-provoking about issues related to society at that time (and now) and such themes as the anti-war movement.

His presentation with photos and videos/sound was made possible by our member Chuck Olson's investment in a projector/speakers, which he will loan to us in the future too. Thank you Chuck from all of us.

Next meeting comes early in the month --- Sunday May 8th 3:00 p.m. Internationa House. (Intl House reception for any quieries is tel 3570-4611)

Our speaker will be long-time Tokyoite and early member of our fellowship from the time that founder Ken Woodruff was our leader -- Doreen Simmons. You probably know Doreen, who has been active under many hats and enriched the lives of so many of us English speakers in Japan. She has been the commentator/expert on Sumo. Formidible actress. Singer including in the British Embassy Choir and a stallwart member of St. Alban's Anglican Church. Contributor to many groups and causes (for which she modestly refuses recognition).

She will speak about her experiences of religion in Japan.

Peggy Kanada, moderator

Folk songs of the 60's in Japan - April 10th topic

2011-04-03T02:06:00.000-07:00

Dear members and friends of Unitarian Fellowship of Tokyo,

Fellowship Meeting

Sunday April 10th

3 o clock (with dinner afterwards)

International House, please call them at 03-3470-4611 (24 hr front desk) if you have any concerns about possible cancellation

While the Fukushima radiation leakage problems are still far from resolved, many of us in the Fellowship who are long term residents of the Kanto area--whether expats or Japanese--are trying to return to our usual habits of work and spirituality, and to move forward with our lives.

It seems to me important this month that we make extra effort to join together at our monthly meeting in order to support each other, share our experiences and concerns, and confirm our friendships in these difficult times.

Thanks to Chuck we have an interesting and what looks to be enjoyable talk by James Dorsey on the folk songs that developed in the 1960*s-- looking at the politics and causes, history,censorship and technological changes of the era that gave birth to some great songs, many of which we know so well.

This should be a welcome change of pace. For a taste see: http://www.youtube.com/user/bandanaRamaMan

Our meeting in February with Doi Kanae, lawyer and graduate of Todai and NYU, was on the weightier topic of human rights and how her organization with a newly opened office in Tokyo seeks to combat rights abuses, looking at problems such as asylum seekers, refugees, and human trafficking in Japan. Her organization--Humanrights Watch annual fundraising dinner has been postponed until July 5th. Please contact me if you are interested.

We may be able to have someone from Polarisproject --who were our planned speakers for the cancelled March meeting --come speak later this year

Peggy Kanada, moderator

ps i urge those of you who are searching for ways to help those affected by the Quake and Tsunami to support Second Harvest. You will remember the inspirational talk that Charles McJilton (still running Second Harvest) gave to the fellowship a couple of years ago.Their site is www.2hj.org

March topic Human Traffiking in Japan - Speaker from Plolaris Project

2011-02-20T00:33:00.000-08:00

On March 13, 2011 at 3:00 p.m. at the International House of Roppongi we plan to have Nancy Roberts, a speaker from the Polarisproject Japan office. She is an intern who is just finishing her project about the Polarisproject in Tokyo this March. She will be joined by Kazu Funato (staff) who will help her to talk about the positive steps to curb human trafficking and the explotation of children and young women in Japan. 　More can be learned about the Polaris Project at http://www.polarisproject.org/

The meeting will be held at 3:00 p.m. on the fourth floor of the International House in Roppongi. Anyone is welcome to join both the meeting and our dinner in the I-House restaurant afterwards. This time of year, the surrounding garden is a joy to see.

At our February meeting, we enjoyed a lecture from Kanae Doi, Japan Director of the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch, an organization that investigates abuses of human rights around the world and pressures goverments to reform through exposure and persuasian. As a newly minted lawyer, she went to Eritrea to help with the writing of laws and constitution when that country was newly independent from Ethiopia. She focused her presentation on recent activities and successes by Human Rights Watch in the Congo. You will frequently see HRW quoted in the news about the current struggles for democracy in the Middle East.

Human rights watch - February meeting

2011-02-09T06:28:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends and Members of the Unitarian Fellowship,

Reminder:

February 13, Sunday 3:00

International House

Our speaker--HumanRights Watch, director of the Japan office, Kanae DOI.

Peggy Kanada, moderator

October - November Meetings - Revisions

2010-09-15T21:41:00.001-07:00

Because we had to have a replacement meeting for September, the original schedule for September/October will be shifted to October/November (barring further emergencies)

Next fellowship meetings : International House (Roppongi) 3:00 Second Sunday of Month

October 10th Stan Yukevich will present on 'Raymond Aron and Enlightened Pragmatism'

November 14th Peggy Kanada --Liberal Religions and World Peace-- Where does the Dalai Lama fit?

Supplemental note:
Raymond Aron was a French philosopher, journalist and political scientist. He is discussed in "The burden of responsibility: Blum, Camus, Aron, and the French twentieth century" by Tony Judt

Peggy attended a lecture of the Dalai Lama earlier this year, and may get another chance at one of the conferences she is attending in India.

Religious Education for Children - New Sept speaker

2010-09-06T03:47:00.001-07:00

Our scheduled speaker for September had to postpone, but we are very happy to have an interesting replacement. The topic for September 12th at the International House in Roppongi will be:

"The Spiritual Lives of Children: Biblical, Unitarian and Buddhist Perspectives"?

The biblical Book of Proverbs says: "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it." [Proverbs 22:6] But how much and what kind of religious education should we give children? Can we give children a religious training without indoctrinating them unduly, depriving them of freedom as adults? These questions are faced today by Buddhists as well as by Unitarians and members of biblical faiths. What kind of religious education have Buddhist groups provided, and what are they thinking about religious education today? What do we ourselves think? Prof. Miriam Levering of the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Tennessee and International Advisor to Rissho Kosei-kai will give a short talk and facilitate a discussion on this topic.

September October Meetings

2010-09-02T00:13:00.000-07:00

Next fellowship meetings : International House (Roppongi) 3:00

September 12 Stan Yukevich will present on'Raymond Aron and Enlightened Pragmatism'

October 10th Peggy Kanada --Liberal Religions and World Peace-- Where does the Dalai Lama fit?

Supplemental note:
Raymond Aron was a French philosopher, journalist and political scientist. He is discussed in "The burden of responsibility: Blum, Camus, Aron, and the French twentieth century" by Tony Judt

Peggy attended a lecture of the Dalai Lama earlier this year, and may get another chance at one of the conferences she is attending in India.

Lunch with Peter Morales, UU President

2010-09-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

In late August, Peter Morales, newly elected president of the Unitarian Univeraslists visited Tokyo with his wife and several members of our dicussion group gathered to have sushi with him in the Ginza. Peter was elected president of the global organization in 2009 works out of a historic building in Boston. However, was on a round the world to trip to visit Japan, the Philippines and India. The spread of the Internet is helping to spread interest around the world and he said headquarters is frequently being contacted by groups around the world, some which have become quite sizable. (Our little discussion group is not there yet). In India he will participate in various International religious conferences.

June speaker - Azby Brown on Living Green in Edo

2010-05-19T17:48:00.000-07:00

Dear friends and members of the Unitarian fellowship,
At our May meeting we had an interesting talk with great visuals presented by fellowship member, Chuck Olson, on the topic of "Uncertainty". He anchored his philosphical exploration with his story of growing up in the desert, with casinos and open air nuclear testing, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Next meeting:
June 13th, International House 3:00-5:00

Our speaker will be Azby Brown, originally from Louisiana with degrees from Yale and Todai, architect.
He is now director of the Future Design Institute (field of Media Informatics) , at Kanazawa Institute of Technology.
He is also the author of a new book (which he illustrated) from Kodansha, "Just Enough: Lessons in Living Green from Traditional Japan".
His topic will be: ' The Edo approach to acheiving sustainability.'

The September fellowship meeting (Sept 12) WILL BE AT International House.
Our tentative speaker is Stan Yukevich, fellowship member.

Peggy Kanada, moderator

PS Because our new Unitarian member Miram Levering will be giving a lecture on Buddhism on July 11th (all interested are invited), the date for Peggy's OPEN HOUSE and Pot Luck has been changed to JULY 4TH (Sunday).
Please let me know if that date is NOT good for you.
Details about the Pot Luck will follow once the date is reconfirmed.

May Topic - Life with Uncertainty

2010-04-25T07:27:00.000-07:00

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

Easter Reminder - Hanamatsuri

2010-04-09T18:05:00.000-07:00

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

The Nature Of Qi (Ki) March 14 at Intl House, Roppoing

2010-02-28T05:24:00.000-08:00

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)

Camii Mosque Visit February 21, 2010

2010-02-28T04:55:00.000-08:00

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

2010-02-28T04:51:00.000-08:00

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.

Jan 10 Speaker What it is like Growing up Unitarian

2009-12-20T05:52:00.000-08:00

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.

Visit to the Tokyo Camii Mosque, Yoyogi–Uehara Feb 21, 2010

2009-12-12T18:31:00.000-08:00

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

Dec. 13 2009 Mahatma Gandhi and violence:

2009-11-15T05:55:00.000-08:00

Mahatma Gandhi and violence: Perspectives on an allegorical dialogue.

What would Gandhi say to the masterminds promoting a culture of violence in the Middle East.

Journalist and International Christian University research fellow Dr. Vivek Pinto, will discuss an article Lord Bhikhu Parekh's article on "Why Terror?"
"It is an allegorical dialogue between Mahatma Gandhi and the leading Islamic terrorist. It originally appeared in Prospect and was widely acclaimed by intellectual, scholars, journalists and the academic world.
It has since been published in a book, The Stranger's Religion: Fascination and Fear, ed. Anna Lannstrom (Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 2004)."
Link to Article,

Dr. Pinto says, "Prof. Parekh's article has been required reading in many universities around the word and his Gandhian perspicacity is admired, as you will see when you read the article. It is gripping, seminal, and raises up many important issues of contemporary relevance."

As Dr. Pinto is a Ghandi scholar in his own right, having published "Gandhi's Vision and Values: The Moral Quest for Change in Indian Agriculture" (New Delhi, India; London, U.K.; and Thousand Oaks, Ca., USA: Sage, 1998). This was his doctoral dissertation which was turned into a book and has sold very well.

The Future of the Fellowship

2009-11-15T05:10:00.000-08:00

October 11th Pre-Discussion
We had a good crowd for the future of the fellowship discussion at the Int'l House coffee shop, and the surrounding garden looked great as usual.

Peggy, Stan, Vivek, Bonnie, Ella, Elaine, and Chuck were there to figure out how we can continue to enjoy examining the world's religions, philosophies and ideas by listening and questioning invited speakers or talking among ourselves.

Searching for a Home
Eventually (after March) we will probably need to find a new home as the sustaining membership in I House will run out - unless we can convince them that our goals are similar enough that it would benefit them for us to continue meeting there. Our current room on the fourth floor has a great view of the garden, but if more than a dozen show up, it will be standing room only. And some of our speakers - authors, professors, scholars - perhaps deserve a larger audience. The modest size of the group, which makes it so easy for everyone to participate is also one of our strengths (and weaknesses). But we are looking to grow to see if we can attract even more interesting people in Tokyo looking for some thought provoking talk. There were several ideas of where to meet from mid next year, but we could use more.

Speakers We talked about ways to continue to attract new English language lecturers willing to join us for our 3 p.m. Sunday meetings to discuss topics of interest. Scholars (young and old) wishing to polish off papers just finished or in progress have been welcome and we will pump our university contacts for more. Some of us are connected to the Asian Society of Japan and other organizations, while the ecumunical society and Dojin Kyokai continue to be sources of interesting speakers. Anyone reading this blog who would like to speak, please contact Peggy at unitarianfellowshipoftokyo(At Mark)gmail.com.
In the last year we have had talks on the Heart Sutra (by a Catholic scholar), the Jewish view of death, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (by a priest in Tokyo), the Church of Latter Day Saints, Bahai, Buddhism and Nuclear Disarmament, and enjoyed music sung by a visiting Unitarian minister, a tour of India, and a slide show of photos of the American Southwest.

Finances
Currently we struggle to pay the room rent and dinner + transportation for the speaker with our voluntary 1000 contribution each week. Some of us, who can't make it every month, but don't want to leave Peggy dipping into her pocket to cover for us, would like to contribute Y10,000 or so/year to make this a little more stable. And keep it voluntary and weekly contribution for anyone else so that students and retirees are always welcome. Stan agreed to be treasurer. Chuck owes him some advice.

Purpose
Everyone agreed with the content of the proposed purpose statement - and that it was too long winded.

To develop an intellectually stimulating community based on a creedーfree examination of spiritual、moral、and existential aspects of religious、 philosophical、and cultural traditions and ideas through interaction with a broad range of interesting speakers in English．

We will work on making this "purpose" a little punchier. While enjoying our selves being stimulated. Everyone felt good after the discussion and the feeling carried through the speaker to the discussion and delicious food at Moti's, spiced up with Vivek's culinary commentary and tour of the kitchen.

We look forward to putting our ideas to work and expanding our little thoughtful English speaking community in Tokyo.

October meeting, November Speaker

2009-10-16T20:42:00.001-07:00

Dear Fellowship members,

On October 12th we shared memories and reflected on the generous lives of our two former members, William Parker and Shinichiro (Sam) Noda. It was wonderful to have so many join us.
Charles McJilton then gave an exciting talk about his work with homeless men in Tokyo and the food bank, Second Harvest. He said among many thought-provoking ideas that he considers himself like a baker, delivering a product to customers, not someone ^giving^ handouts.

November 8th, Sunday 3'00
International House (new fourth floor seminar room)

Speaker--Andy Game, of Alpha-- a program that tries to offer "in the workplace" a time and place to consider personal faith and moral issues. The program originated recently in England. As i understand it, some concerned Anglicans felt established churches did not address the hunger for spiritual experience and or even basic non-sectarian information amidst the alienation and over-busy lives of so many of us modern urbanites. Andy proposes to talk about the history and role of this approach-- including here in Tokyo, and to share how his faith has worked in his own life.

Also on Nov 8th -- at the International House Coffee Shop
1'00
Stan Yukavich, Peggy Kanada, Chuck Olson and ANYONE else who would like to meet briefly in order to discuss the FUTURE of the Unitarian Fellowship.
We hope to touch on finances, location, recruitment of new members, publicity, because the continuation of our tiny community is not clear.
If you cannot join us please call or email me with your suggestions.
Kanada-- tel/fax is 03-6240-1990
unitarianfellowshipoftokyo@gmail.com

Please encourage even one person to come with you to try our fellowship discussion and comradary.

June and September meeting

2009-06-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

Our June 14th meeting will welcome Denis Morrel who will show slides of his extensive hiking forays amidst the beautiful sites (like Monument Valley national park) of the American southwest.

Meetings from May

2009-04-27T07:28:00.000-07:00

The English-speaking International Buddhist Congregation (sponsored by Rissho Kosei Kai--the lay group dedicated in Nichiren's tradition to gleaning inspiration from the Lotus Sutra) celebrated the birth and Nirvana of the historical Buddha (Shakyamuni or Oshaka-sama).
--This annual Hanamatsuri or festival--was held this year on April 12th at the Niwano founder's hall out in Suginami-ku. It was a beautiful day and a colorful, inspiring, and flower filled ceremony with many other Buddhists and several embassies and many people (some in lovely traditional costumes from their countries like Sri lanka or Korea) also participating in thanksgiving and a general prayer for world peace. Delicious food and activities like a tea ceremony were also provided.
Gene Reeves (who preached the sermon or Dharma talk), Bonnie M. and Peggy from the Unitarian fellowship attended.

At 3:00 on 4/12 --on what was also Easter--the Fellowship met with Father O'Leary, a professor from Sohpia Univ, to hear his challenging presentation about Dostoyevsky (especially his 19th c novel Crime and Punishment) and the Resurrection.

Next Meeting:
May 10th 3:00-5:00
At International House (near Roppongi and Azabu Juban subway stations)
Our speaker will be the Rev. Katsuji SUZUKI (who has attended our fellowship meetings and actually studied and rec'd a degree at the Lombard Unitarian Divinity school in Chicago). He is with Rissho Kosei Kai and can answer questions about the ties of this group with Unitarians.
His topic: Buddhism for Sustainable Peace.

Our June 14th meeting will welcome Denis Morrel who will show slides of his extensive hiking forays amidst the beautiful sites (like Monument Valley national park) of the American southwest.
unitarianfellowshipoftokyo@gmail.com

2009 Schedule

2009-01-01T20:12:00.000-08:00

Jan. 11 The Religious Situation in Iran - See note in blog
Feb. 8. Unitarianism and the Lotus Sutra - The Rev. Gene Reeves
Mar. 8 What is Unique about the Later Day Saints - Jim & Pat Hartzell
Apr 12? Mind and Body Connections - What is Health - Marianne Yamaguchi (member)
May 10 Speaker rom International Buddhist Congregation of Rissho Kosei Kai

Unitarians and the Lotus Sutra - February 8

2009-01-01T19:48:00.000-08:00

The Rev. Gene Reeves will speak on Feb 8th 2009 to the Tokyo Unitarian Fellowship at 3 p.m. at the International House in Roppongi.

Probable topic related to "Unitarians and the Lotus Sutra" (working title -- he will expand any topic to suit the day ).

For some interesting links to the Rev. Reeves background see
http://www.zoominfo.com/people/Reeves_Gene_180968853.aspx
http://www25.uua.org/uubf/uusav2n3.htm#BuddhaGod (mid way through)

The latter I found on the interesting UU Sangha page listing back issues of the Unitarian Universalist Buddhist Fellowship
http://www25.uua.org/uubf/uusangha.htm

Anyone interested in a discussion in English of religion, culture and ideas is welcome to this small friendly multi-cultural group of long term residents of Japan and other interesting parts of the world

The Religious Situation in Iran Today

2009-01-01T19:38:00.001-08:00

The next speakers for the Tokyo Unitarian Fellowship will be:

Jan 11 "The Religious Situation in Iran Today"--and its Historical Background."
Two Baha'i scholars from the Tokyo Bahai'i Education and Cross Culture Office in Tokyo will speak.

Two speakers: Kimiko Schwerin who was long based at the Bahai Center in Haifa, Israel and Sandra Fotos who teaches at Senshu University.

At the International House in Roppongi, at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon

Anyone interested in a good discussion of religion, culture and ideas is welcome to join.

Religious Life in Victorian Britain

2008-10-28T16:01:00.000-07:00

November Meeting

Robert Morton will speak on "Queen Victoria and religious life in Victorian Britain"

Sunday November 9th, 3'00 at our usual venue, International House, seminar room.

For more about Robert Morton, see this article in the Japan Times.
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20041225vk.html

Robert who teaches and does research in Japan specializes in Victorian Britain and has spoken on the comparison between Queen Victoria and the Meiji Emperor.

Should be interesting.

We will be meeting at the International house in Roppongi as usual
at 3 p.m. Anyone is welcome

Past and future speakers

2008-10-02T07:56:00.000-07:00

Sam just informed me the following. I certainly am sorry I missed the rabbi. It sounds like it was just the kind of talk that makes this group worth going to on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

Past speaker

Sep. 14 speaker Rabbi Henri Noach (Tokyo's Jewish Community Center)

Our first meeting of the fall was a wide-ranging discussion of Judaism that started with Jewish ideas about death and ended with

deep thoughts about the purpose of life. Thanks to the energetic Rabbi Henri Noach .

next speaker

Oct. 12 speaker Dr. Lornz Poggendorf

“Shinto’s role in preserving our natural environment”

3:00 International House, Roppongi

Hope I can make then next one. See you there.

Next Speaker

2008-07-06T01:38:00.001-07:00

I have made this post so that our new Chairwoman Peggy Kanada can easily inform us all of the next speaker, date and time by posting a reply to this item.

Hope this makes life easier for you Peggy.

Past Speakers

2008-07-06T01:09:00.002-07:00

June 2008
William Parker, chairman spoke on the History of the Unitarian Mission in Japan

May 2008
Reverend Paul Koroluk of the St. Jude Ukrainian Orthodox Mission,
His subject will be: “Orthodox Christianity”

April 2008
John Clammer traveled to India during February and March and brought us an up-to-date picture of developments there. His subject was: “India between Tradition and the Future”

March 2008
Dr. Joseph O'Leary of Sophia University spoke on the Heart Sutra, the shortest of all Sutras and core to the Buddhist concept of emptiness.

February 2008
Susan Martin, teacher of creative writing at Lakeland College, spoke on“How to Watch a Movie”

January 2008
Dr. Robert Dujarric, Director, Institute of Contemporary Japanese Studies (ICJS) at Temple University in

November 2007
Dr. Paul McCarthy,Professor of Comparative Culture at Surugadai University. Dr. McCarthy showed movie excerpts and explained “Ugetsu”, the famous Japanese film with the story by Akinari and the film directed by Mizoguchi. His topic was“Japan’s International Role in 2008.

October 2007
Dr. John Clammer, Professor of Sociology at Sophia spoke on "Shinto and Ecology: New Foundations for Religious Environmentalism”

September 2007
Dr. Steven Morgan who is a Professor in the Department of English, the Faculty of Foreign Languages, Daito Bunka University. Dr. Morgan is also choir director and organist at St. Albans.
His subject will be “Music and Peace…the Inner and Outer Journey”

For other past speakers see
http://www.idiom.com/~turner/uutokyo/meetings.html

First Message

2008-07-06T00:55:00.000-07:00

The Unitarian Fellowship is a group of English speaking Japanese and long and short term foreign residents of Japan that has been meeting since 1965. It is a lay group that meets one Sunday a month at the International House in Roppongi to listen to invited speakers who discuss topics of religion, morality, literature, and international relations.

Unitarianism is one of the few religious denominations that does not require assent to a creed as a condition of membership.

A Unitarian fellowship is essentially a society of seekers, not of believers.

The basis is a common search for truth and a common sharing of what we have found in this search.

The next meeting will be held in September 2008. This new blog is an attempt for members to keep in touch, provide information to each other about scheduled meetings and to invite anyone who would like to participate. We will be updating information about coming speakers in this space, as well as providing stories and comments about the past.

International House
5-11-16 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032 Japan
Tel: 03-3470-4611, Fax: 03-3479-1738
[Click for map] .