ACTIVITY REPORT INAUGURATION OF
SOUTH VOLTA DISTRICT
OF THE HOKKEJI TEMPLE AT DABALA ON JANUARY 28, 2018
Saturday -27th January 2018
The Chief Priest Rev. Shindo Imafuku and his entourage (Koto, Dr. Kwame Odame Boamah, Mr. Kwame –Gazo Agbenadzie (Kanji) and Nana Kojo Baah Tieku I arrived in Akatsi at 6:10 p.m. and drove with the Volta South District Leader to the house of Mr. Gbedze Sonny where evening gongyo was performed together with some members of Akatsi Block.
After Gongyo some of the leaders of the new District received guidance from the Chief Priest. In his guidance, Rev. Imafuku told the leaders to develop good leadership qualities to enable the District grow by following the following guidelines:
o To chant lots of Daimoku daily
o Never to complain
o To enjoy the process.
Sunday- January 28, 2018
The inaugural ceremony began at 9:00 a. m. with shodai and gongyo conducted by the Chief Priest. He congratulated all the people present for taking part in the ceremony. Based on the Gosho “The Property of Rice” and High Priest Nichinyo Shonin’s New Year address, Rev.Imafuku encouraged all the members to take up the responsibility of propagating Buddhism in the new District by chanting abundant Daimoku together in the spirit of itai doshin and to strive to do shakubuku.
In his lecture, Rev. Shindo Imafuku spoke on the basic concepts of True Buddhism. He explained the Law of Cause and Effect and the cause of suffering in human life. He mentioned the fact that some of the negative effects experienced by human beings are not results of negative causes created in the present existence alone but also from past existences. Causes created in this lifetime shall also produce their effects in future existences.
Rev. also explained the concept of Karma and the three categories of action through which karma is created which are thoughts, words and deeds; actions which cut across the periods of past, present and future lifetimes. The Chief Priest urged the audience not to blame the environment for the various effects they experience from the negative causes they themselves created in the past. He mentioned the ten kinds of evil acts that lead to severe suffering as killing, stealing, unlawful sexual intercourse, defaming, lying, duplicity, flattery, greed, anger and stupidity. Refusing to accept and believe in the teaching of Nam –Myoho – Renge – Kyo or to be against it would make one fall into the hell of incessant suffering. He also explained the meaning of “Nam-Myoho-Renge-Kyo”,
“Gohonzon” – the Supreme Object of worship and the “Purpose of faith and Practice Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism” as the attainment of enlightenment and the achievement of Kosen-rufu.
He encouraged guests to accept and take faith in Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism in other to enjoy true happiness in their lives and attain a peaceful society.
The audience were inspired by the Chief Priest’s lecture asked many questions to clear their minds about Buddhism. Some of the questions asked were:
An explanation of the Buddhist teaching of “Life/Universe has no beginning and no end”
Whether the Chief Priest can pray for someone’s salvation
How could one overcome certain negative habits cultivated e.g. alcoholism?
Does Buddhism consider polygamy as unlawful sexual intercourse?
Do Buddhists perform funeral for deceased members?
Can one practice Buddhism and some other religion at the same time?
The significance of the Juzu beads
Whether by chanting, one is worshiping god’s energy or some other deity?
The Koto Dr. Kwame Odame Boamah then introduced the leaders for the South Volta District who are:
- Mr. Gideon Mensah – District Leader
- Mr. George Kudzordzi – Assistant District Leader
- Mad. Matilda Apealete – Women Division Leader
- Mr. Prosper Vifa Dawson – Youth Division
- Master Vavator Dzaka – Children Division.
Dr. Boamah highlighted some of the responsibilities of the members such as doing Shodai and Gongyo together as District and Block members, offering of Gokuyo, attending Oko, supporting the achievement of organizational objectives, for instance shakubuku targets for Chapter, District and Block.
ATTENDANCE: A total of ninety (90) believers and guests participated in the occasion made up of
- South Volta District members old and new ———— 60
- Members from Accra who hail from the District —— 6
- Kanji present —— 4
- Guests including Linguist and Elders of Dabala ……. 20
Total 90
GOJUKAI: Nine (9) new members received Gojukai on the occasion.
CLOSING: The ceremony ended at 2:00 p.m. with an Evening Gongyo led by Chief Priest Rev. Shindo Imafuku.
Report compiled by …..GIDEON MENSAH (DISTRICT LEADER)
