The Assistant Priest Rev. Jozen Suenaga and Mr. Kwame Bediako Aboagye, A Kanji member made a five day visit to Kumasi District from Wednesday, 24th May, 2017 to Sunday 28th May, 2017. They visited two distance blocks, Kumasi high school, and Kumasi activity center to hold meeting.
5 Hour Shodai with Kumasi youth members
Otaakrom visit
In the afternoon of Thursday, 25th May, the Assistant Priest, Mr. Aboagye, Mr. Appiah-Kubi with some other leaders and members visited the Otaakrom block. Otaakrom is about an hour and half drive from Kumasi. There was a heavy rain down pour but that did not deter the members due to their strong determination. Evening Gongyo started at exactly 5:02pm followed by Gojukai Ceremony. Four new believers received Gojukai.
The Assistant Priest gave a lecture on ….. after which there was question and answer section. A total of 32 members attended the meeting.
Just when the meeting had come to an end, a group of students were also came to meeting place. Assistant Priest held another meeting with them to be able to answer all their questions. A youth member used her experience in the practice to answer some questions and those students deepen their understanding about Buddhism.
Offinso visit
The next day, Friday, 26th May, 2017, the Assistant Priest visited the Offinso Block with Kumasi Leaders and some major members as well. All invited members and guest were ready in anticipation to meet and see the Assistant hence evening Gongyo started shortly after he arrived. After evening Gongyo, Rev. Suenaga performed 10 Gojukai ceremony.
Mr. kwadwo Boateng who the leader of Offinso welcomed the Assistant Priest and gave an introductory message. After the Assistant priest’s message, new members asked lots of questions which answered one after the other.
Kumasi high school visit
Around 3: 00 pm on Saturday the Assistant Priest with some strong youth members visited student of Kumasi High School who expressed interest in learning about Buddhism through a youth member Fred Kusi Frimpong who is a student in the school.
In all, about 20 students joined the discussion. Rev Suenaga took the opportunity to explain Nichiren Daishonin Buddhism to the students. There was then open question and answer section, and major youth members answered to questions bringing in an easy parable. Students asked a lot of questions aggressively.
General meeting at Kumasi Activity Center
Sunday, 27th of May, 2017, the district held a general meeting with the Assistant Priest which total of 195 members were in attendance with some youth members from Accra and Sunyani districts.
The meeting started with a one hour Shodai and morning Gongyo. After Gongyo, Rev. Suenaga performed Gojukai ceremony for 20 new believers. He then gave a lecture on “Virtue and Punishment” with a Twi translation by Mr. Tony Gyamfi Ameyaw. It was followed with questions and answers after his lecture. Most members again asked lots of questions.
The district leader, Mr. Kofi Appiah Kubi in his closing remarks, encouraged members for their further enthusiasm. He expressed the joy the whole district had a big achievement during the five day stay of Reverend Suenaga. He shared his determination to achieve Shakubuku target for the year among Kumasi members.
This 5 day visit gave a very good opportunity for Kumasi members to deepen their faith and practice, and made a further strong determination to achieve their objectives.