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> View Former Conferences, Panels & Workshops Archive Collaborative Presentation on Global Learning at the National Association of Independent Schools In early March 2006, Shinnyo-en Foundation Program Officer Liane Louie was invited to join two Shinnyo-en Foundation grantees, Carole Iacovelli and Jody Kennedy, in presenting to a group of independent school teachers and administrators. The presentation occurred at the annual conference of the National Association of Independent Schools, the largest annual gathering of independent school leaders, administrators and teachers. This year’s conference theme was Opening the Doors to the Global Schoolhouse…Today. The presentation was made as part of a workshop titled, “Paths to Global Learning”. The focus of the workshop was to offer examples of programs and perspectives about global themes in action. Programs outlined during the workshop included service learning partnerships with other countries, telecommunication initiatives with schools in other countries, and programs that develop ethics and values across borders. Co-presenters included Carole Iacovelli, Director of the Luke Center for Public Service at the Punahou School in Hawaii and Jody Kennedy, Humanity Arts Teacher and Telecommunication Coordinator at Eastview Middle School in White Plains, New York. According to Ms. Iacovelli, “My hope is that as a result of the workshop more schools and teachers will think deeply about serving in the community as a way to have more of a shared understanding – because the world is richer for our common understanding.” Click Here to see a Handout from the workshop.
2nd Annual Shinnyo-en Servant Leadership Fellows Program March 22 - 25, 2006 Philadelphia, PA
In March 2006, Shinnyo-en Foundation hosted seven Shinnyo-en Youth from all over the globe to participate in the 17th Annual National Service Learning Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania entitled “We The People.” The Youth participants were given an introductory overview of Service Learning concepts, helped with selecting useful and appropriate workshops, and supported after workshops in reflecting on their experiences and growth. The following excerpts show the varied impressions and reflections of the participants.
Aki Imamine – Los Angeles, California This was truly a life-changing opportunity to me. I wasn’t sure exactly what “Service-Learning” was until attending the conference. It made me realize how little I knew about my community as well as about myself. To nurture youth will lead to a better future. I was so impressed to see those educators as well as students who are striving toward the same goals. It was very encouraging and gave me very powerful strength for me to do more!
Claudia Meissner - Germany With the help of the face-to-face communication during the workshops with others, I gained an insight into different backgrounds, motivations, thoughts and feelings of others. Through the eagerness and joy of one 13-14 year old student in dedicating himself in service learning, I realized that its very helpful to organize projects for young people at school in order that they can feel the necessity and joy of service learning in an early stage of life, which surely helps to widen their own horizons and to build up their own potential for the future. I honestly wished at that moment to having had the same opportunity in my school years. Surely I got many ideas and motivation through the concept of "Service Learning." I wish to contribute to the fact that in future times also in Germany some young people have the opportunity to experience joy and inspiration through an activity for their school or community or even for the world. |
 The Cover of the Conference Program Schedule |
 Fellows First Day Orientation Meeting |
 Danny Liang Kao from Taiwan and Veronika Reinhardt from Germany |
Sharing at the Orientation |
 Hiromi Bassounas Reviewing the SEF Paradigm at Orientation |
 Haru Inouye Discussing the SEF Service Paradigm at the Fellows' Orientation |
 Titilayo Yasukawa from New York Sharing at the Orientation |
 Samantha Milio of Italy and Veronika Reinhardt of Germany Reviewing Workshop Options |
Follow the fellows as they attend workshops and find their way around the conference center!
 SEF Workshop Attendee Discussing Ideas with Hiromi Bassounas and Nan Peterson |
 Danny Liang Kao and Claudia Meissner Listen to Workshop Discussion |
 Danny (Center) and Other Workshop Participants Join in a Group Exercise |
 A Group Ice-Breaking Exercise at the SEF Workshop |
 Shinnyo-en Fellow Veronika Reinhardt (Left) Collaborating with Other Workshop Youth |
 Liane Louie-Badua Discussing the SEF Paradigm with Workshop Participant |
Titilayo Yasukawa in Workshop Discussion Circle |
Workshop Discussion Circle |
 SEF Fellows Reviewing Which Workshops They'll Take Next |
 SEF Workshop Sign |
 Aki Imamine Listens Intently to Workshop Presentation |
Contributing to Group Discussion |
One of the most inspirational events during the conference was a Plenary Session in which the audience heard two very amazing personal journey stories from Hafsat Abiola, a 27-year-old human and democracy rights activist from Nigeria, and Gerda Weissmann Klein, an author, historian and founder of the Gerda and Kurt Klein Foundation. Liane Louie-Badua, SEF's Program Officer, introduced Hafsat Abiola to the audience.
Liane Louie-Badua Addressing the Plenary Session Audience
The Conference Center / Hotel Complex Was Cavernous! The fellows got lots of exercise between workshops and attending related events just walking between destinations!
 Some of the Fellows Refueling as they Head to Another Workshop |
 Hiromi Strolling Through the Convention Center Booth Area Studying Service Learning Organizations |
Conference Booths |
 Veronika and Danny Exploring the Conference Booths |
Fellows Exploring the At the Conference's Gala Event, Former President Bill Clinton joined an estimated 2,800 participants to celebrate service-learning and honor former Sen. Harris Wofford. Speaking at the We the People Gala, the president noted that the national- and community-service movement has given private citizens more "power to do good" than they've had at any time in history.
 Former President Bill Clinton Addressing the Conference |
Participants gathered at the National Constitution Center to hear from former President Bill Clinton |
And finally, a group photo of the Fellows and Foundation Staff. Thank you Fellows for your enthusiasm, your hard work and your heart!
From Left: Aki Imamine, Samantha Milio, Veronika Reinhardt, Claudia Meissner, Titi Yasukawa, Liane Louie-Badua, Hiromi Bassounas, Lisanne Aguilar and Danny Liang Kao
To read about the 2005 Fellows Program, click here!
Congratulations to Amy Cohen!
Shinnyo-en Foundation wants to take this opportunity to offer our warm congratulations to Amy Cohen for her role in Learn and Serve America's 15 years! Her dedication under David Eisner's leadership has helped to promote service learning and is well recognized and appreciated by all constituents in the field.
Congratulations Amy!
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Amy Cohen, Director of Learn and Serve America and Haru Inouye at Learn and Serve America's 15th Annual Symposium Gala Reception |
Shinnyo-en Youth Attend Learn and Serve America's
15th Annual Symposium and Celebration
December 1, 2005
Washington, DC
Audrey Wang and Steve Maslanka, both Shinnyo-en Youth members, attended the 15th Annual Learn and Serve America Symposium along with Shinnyo-en Foundation Executive Director Haru Inouye on December 1st in Washington DC, and offer their observations and experiences of the event.
Audrey Wang
The value of service-learning is immeasurable. Mohandas Gandhi once said, “Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” This captures the topic of discussion at the 15th Anniversary celebration of Learn and Serve America. Guest panelist Dr. Harumitsu Inouye, Executive Director of the Shinnyo-En Foundation, emphasized the importance of approaching service-learning from a holistic approach.
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Audrey Wang, Steve Maslanka and Haru Inouye partake in Roundtable Discussion at the Learn and Serve Symposium |
Service learning incorporates young people to become engaged in projects addressing community and real world needs. The goal is to have Learn and Serve America participants become contributing citizens and community members. Mr. Inouye reminds us that sometimes the outcome of service projects overshadows the engagement of the process in service learning. Serving our communities is very important yet our definition of community often neglects the awareness of our inner circle of community: our family, associations, neighborhood, etc.
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Haru Inouye is joined by fellow panelists Kathy Payne of State Farm Companies Foundation, Linda McKay of the U.S. Department of Education, and Kinnard Wright of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. |
He emphasizes the importance of cultivating the resources of human values and beliefs, “Being aware of both our positive and negative attributes, aligning the mind, heart, and our actions, can provide the structure of being a sound individual.”
The potential that service-learning has on the impact in developing young people’s personal, social, ethical and spiritual developments are the invaluable outcomes that are unquantifiable. The magnitudes of which these effects carry are significant since they are values that can be applied to all aspects of community. The character of the citizen lies in the welfare of the nation, and the opportunity to strengthen our character is the vital process that will lead to a stronger outcome.
Steve Maslanka
At the Learn and Service 15th annual Anniversary Symposium I was greatly inspired by a speech given by Senator Ted Kennedy. In it he talked about the impact that service has on the people who are doing the service, as well as those who are benefiting from the service. I found it to be very similar to the Shinnyo-en concept of gohoshi, in which people perform acts of service, serving others as an altruistic practice. He also reminded us that, “The basis of human happiness is helping others.” He supported this with his belief that the inspiration that students gain by volunteering far outweighs the problems that the new test standards pose with our teachers and school boards. He stated an observation made from a service learning program at Brandeis University in which students who volunteered in such activities as performing in a play for senior citizens and babysitting for working parents ultimately performed better in school with better attendance, better grades and more school spirit.
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Senator Ted Kennedy Addressing the Symposium |
At the symposium, Senator Kennedy was awarded the Congressional Founder’s Award. A host of other awards were presented including awards to James Kielsmeier of the National Youth Leadership Council and the Inspirational Spirit Award went to Cathryn Berger Kaye, who is a long-time friend of Shinnyo-en Foundation.
As a volunteer and a young adult staff member of the Shinnyo-en temple, I attended the conference to learn more about how we might expand or incorporate service learning ideas into what we do.
Currently, I teach Taiko drumming at the Shinnyo-en temple. What seemed most significant about the event was the level of commitment the attendees have for promoting service learning and the heart of volunteering.
The symposium assured me of the importance of looking at the impact that service learning makes on both the people helped and the people helping.
As a photographer, I have taken some pictures of service learning activities in the past. However, this was the first service-learning event I had ever attended. In college at San Francisco State, I did a paper for a class that involved traveling in a medical van throughout San Francisco with AmeriCorps volunteers. As I photographed their work, and the homeless people they interacted with, I was really impressed with the volunteers and their dedication to their work.
Senator Kennedy spoke about service being a “lifetime commitment” and that for many of the students participating in service learning, this was the first time they had ever been asked to “do something for someone else.” The actions they take for the sake of others translate into a sense of satisfaction and joy in their lives that would otherwise be unattainable. Jim Kielsmeier told a story about Minnesota Governor Perpich, who visited two classrooms and asked each how many students were interested in becoming teachers. In the first class only two students raised their hands, but in the second nearly half of the hands were raised. The difference between the two classes was that the second had participated in tutoring younger kids earlier in the year.
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Haru Inouye with Cathryn Berger Kaye, Recipient of the Inspirational Spirit Award |
By the end of the conference, I left wanting to know what kind of service learning programs are happening in the world -- wanting to know more about what has made programs successful and what has created great challenge.
I am very grateful for the opportunity to learn about service learning through the programs of Learn and Serve America. Thank you Shinnyo-en for sending me to enlarge my capacity!
Shinnyo-en Foundation Sends Shinnyo-en Youth Member to Summit of North American Religious Youth Leaders: Religious Youth for Peace: Confronting Violence
New York, NY
November 1, 2005
On November 1, 2005, Eitaro Hayashi, who coordinates youth activities for Shinnyo-en and works for the Shinnyo-en Temple in White Plains, NY, represented the Foundation at an interfaith gathering in New York City. The event was a regional preparatory meeting for the Religions for Peace World Youth Assembly that will take place in Hiroshima and Kyoto, Japan in August 2006. The Youth Assembly will be followed by the Religions for Peace VIIIth World Assembly that will bring together approximately 500 senior religious leaders from six continents to advance multi-religious collaborations for peace and sustainable development.
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Eitaro Hayashi with Ali Asghar Shakir at the Religious Youth for Peace Summit |
Gathering dozens of youth leaders (ages 18-35) from all major religious communities, the summit focused on the Assembly themes of combating violence and building a shared security. One intended outcome of the meeting was to form a regional network of religious youth for peace.
Founded in 1970 as an international, non-sectarian organization, Religions for Peace has a strong track record fostering effective inter-religious collaboration among different faith communities even in the most challenging situations and has earned credibility with local religious communities worldwide. The International Inter-religious Council, is the world’s most representative international multi-religious body and includes Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Indigenous Leaders.
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A Mosaic of Photos taken at the Religions for Peace's World Youth Assembly |
Guided by respect for religious differences and a belief in the power of multi-religious cooperation, Religions for Peace mobilizes religious communities to collaborate on deeply held and widely shared concerns. The organization believes that, “multi-religious cooperation unleashes the hidden assets of religious communities and is more powerful, both substantively and symbolically, than the efforts of individual faith communities acting alone. When religious communities recognize their shared values, mobilize their collective assets, and work together, they can make a decisive impact where it is most needed.”
After the gathering, Mr. Hayashi reflected several days on the inspiration and perspective that he gained through attending. “Being Buddhist entering an interfaith group I wanted to be a sponge and see what I could learn at this gathering. It was wonderful to challenge myself, open my eyes to others and not be comfortable in my surroundings. From the group I got new inspiration to continue to grow. In this age group – no matter what tradition – there is so much we can give. As a result of attending the meeting I hope I can bring something like this to others who have never had a chance to have this kind of dialogue, so they too can experience an open mind and heart and gain new ideas to help them become bigger people. This is the type of activity, starting with small interactions, that I believe leads to peace.”
One highlight for Mr. Hayashi was meeting Eboo Patel, Founder and President of the Interfaith Youth Core (IFYC) in Chicago. The IFYC and Shinnyo-en’s youth association had already worked together in an interfaith workshop in May 2005 in Hawaii at the time of the annual lantern floating held on Memorial Day. Mr. Hayashi recalled that, “Dr. Patel shared the perspective that many of the religious leaders of the world - like Martin Luther King and Gandhi – were the same age group as we are now – and that was very powerful. We often find ourselves putting limitations on what we can truly give to the world, perhaps because we think we’re too young. That’s why it was so refreshing and encouraging to meet young people of so many other faith traditions with the same, or even more passion in working to creating a positive impact on the world through our religions. The more I thought about this topic, I recalled that this was one of the dreams of the founders of Shinnyo-en… to strive toward religious harmony and understanding. It was something that they laid the foundations for. But it is also the role of the young generation to help see it through… that is, by working together with members of other faith traditions.”
Mr. Hayashi added, “Thanks to the Shinnyo-en Foundation, we have been able to meet active people in the faith community that we may not have met otherwise. In fact, it was the Foundation who introduced us to IFYC in the first place, with whom we have continued to work. For instance, some of our youth members in Chicago have been invited to join a youth advisors forum led by IFYC, a group of key individuals working primarily with young people within and outside faith communities in the city. In the same way, I am hoping to build on the experience in attending the Religions for Peace conference and create even more activities with different faith groups, so that more people in the community will begin to understand that we can coexist… that is, without turning to prejudice, hatred or violence.”
As far as the next steps, the Interfaith Youth Group will continue their dialogue using email and chat rooms to keep up momentum and see where things go from here.
Shinnyo-en Foundation Invited to
58th Annual DPI/NGO Conference of the United Nations:
“Voices for Peace, Partnerships and Renewal”
New York City
September 7-9, 2005
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58th Annual DPI/NGO Conference of the United Nations |
From September 7th through 9th, 2005, Executive Director, Haru Inouye joined a gathering of over 2,000 participants representing 1,200 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) associated with the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI). He was invited as a guest of Ms. Avon Mattison, a co-Founder and the President of Pathways To Peace. This was the first time in the 58-year history that representatives from non-governmental organizations of more than 120 countries have been invited to meet with representatives from Member States and national parliaments.
Mr. Inouye was invited by Ms. Avon Mattison who launched “WE THE PEOPLES” Initiative in 1983 and Dr. Joseph Findlay, international advisor of Pathways To Peace, and a retired United Nations Secretariat staff member. Shinnyo-en Foundation supported the web site improvements for the “WE THE PEOPLES” Initiative. The initiative’s purpose is “a co-operative movement to unite the strengths of existing non-governmental organizations and projects toward building a Culture of Peace for succeeding generations.”
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Haru Inouye with Paul Hoeffel, Chief of the United Nations' DPI/NGO Section |
Mr. Jean Ping, President of the fifty-ninth session of the General Assembly, opened the Conference on September 7th. During the closing session, Ambassador of Norway, H.E. Mr. Johan L. Lovald noted, “Today the UN is at a crossroads. Meeting future challenges necessitates more than dialogue – it will require a real partnership between governments and the NGO community.”
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Foundation Grantee Ellen Brogren of Peaceways Addressing the UN DPI/NGO Conference |
This echoed similar sentiments throughout the conference that encouraged non-governmental organizations to be involved with the work of the United Nations. As Mr. Inouye participated in the gathering he saw it as, “an exciting and intriguing venue for young people to broaden their horizons, to share their voices regarding global issues and to have a real sense that they can be an important part of the world and of global decision-making.”
In addition to Pathways To Peace, two other Shinnyo-en Foundation grantees were present at the gathering: Ms. Ellen Brogren of Peaceways and Pastor Michael Yoshii of Buena Vista Community Institute. Ms. Brogren, who was awarded a grant at the 2002 Shinnyo-en Bridge of Friendship in Burlingame, made a presentation to the UN DPI/NGO conference in New York with youth she brought to the conference. Pastor Yoshii has also been in partnership with Shinnyo-en Foundation during the past few years, exposing youth to diverse faith traditions and engaging them in interfaith dialogue about the common values of faith including community service and action. Mr. Inouye was also invited by Pastor Yoshii of Buena Vista United Methodist Church to the Inter-faith event held at the Church Center for the United Nations.
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Avon Mattison, Dr. Joseph Findlay, Paul Hoeffel and Haru Inouye at the 58th Annual Conference |
Haru Inouye and Rev. Michael Yoshii (Center) During the Interfaith Prayer |
Peaceways mission is to create ways to peace by providing an environment in which young people can draw forth their deepest hopes and dreams, set goals, and design a path of action toward bringing these goals to life. The youth programs of the Buena Vista Community Institute are committed to an inclusive community ministry of shared empowerment, transformation and healing of Asian Pacific American youth, their families and communities.
Shinnyo-en Foundation Hosts United Nations Panel Discussion
San Francisco, CA
September 26, 2005
On September 26th, 2005, Shinnyo-en Foundation hosted a very inspiring talk. The guests, Dr. Joseph Findlay and Ms. Avon Mattison are both affiliated with the United Nations’ Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organizations (UN/DPI/NGO) section. The panel discussion centered around what it means to be a member of the UN’s DPI/NGO section as well as how the speakers have been working toward a Culture of Peace.
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Ms. Avon Mattison and Dr. Joseph Findlay |
Dr. Findlay, a native of Sierra Leone, West Africa, has served the United Nations for more than 14 years working both in the Department of Public Information and in several offices around the world. He now consults as an international advisor for the nonprofit Pathways To Peace. Also addressing the audience was Avon Mattison, co-founder and President of Pathways To Peace. Ms. Mattison has served as a peace-builder and an organizational consultant for the past 30 years and has been actively working as such in the UN for the past 20 years. Both guests shared their rich experience in bringing the best in innovative individuals -- such as world leaders-- in their pursuit of building a culture of peace in a world that suffers from its absence.
Avon Mattison then described her role in the many projects that Pathways To Peace (PTP) has created. She related PTP’s mission statement to Shinnyo-en's principles of daily practice and altruism. Early on during her involvement with the UN, she helped to establish a committee that acted as a kind of liaison between different leaders within the UN and the other affiliated organizations. She noted that it was the first time such a committee had been formed within the UN in an effort to provide an organized system of communication in order to work together harmoniously.
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Ms. Avon Mattison of Pathways To Peace |
Pathways To Peace also helped to shape the spiritual aspect of the UN. For example, Ms. Mattison organized the "We the People's Initiative," which brought out the strengths in all of its committees to work toward the same peace-oriented goal such as children’s rights. Consequently, in 1989, UN Secretary-General Perez de Cuellar granted Peace Messenger Initiative status to PTP’s “WE THE PEOPLE” INITIATIVE (WPI). The development of WPI’s website (www.wethepeople.org) was funded by Shinnyo-en Foundation.
Ms. Mattison was also responsible for starting International Peace Day, where at noon in every time zone around the world, people were encouraged to offer themselves to their local communities or observe a moment of silence. She said from her experience she hoped to work with all of the affiliated NGO's in the UN so they could operate in harmony with each other, thereby becoming an example of a truly peaceful entity that would successfully achieve goals in a different way than governments. Ms. Mattison believes that if NGO’s convey the will of the people, then even a small voice in a remote village can be heard and their needs can be responded to.
Ms. Mattison also expressed her admiration for the Shinnyo-en practice of putting acts for the good of others into practice on a daily basis. She said that she felt this would be the key to finding a true culture of peace.
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Dr. Findlay then read from his essay on the “High Level Summit of Heads of State and Governments” which took place in New York from September 14-16, 2005. He reviewed the background for the agenda items which included Reform of the World Body – a discussion on how the five permanent members of the UN, having the power to veto any other UN member, and how reform of this veto power would allow all members to be truly represented. Dr. Findlay believes that the UN must truly "represent people" in order for it to make any kind of progress and become a strong entity - capable of making culture of peace a reality. "Now is the time to act," said Dr. Findlay. Ms. Mattison added that if NGOs could work together to reach their goals in a manner that does not "operate like a government," then it might prove to people around the world that such a mode of governing is effective, and eventually the governments themselves may be influenced.
Shinnyo-en Foundation is considering applying for membership to the United Nations’ DPI/NGO section to facilitate bringing youth to a broader forum where they can share their voices on global issues, and to offer its resources toward creating a culture of peace.
Shinnyo-en Foundation Invited to Service-Learning Forum
at the John Glenn Institute, Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
October 10-11, 2005
Over the years, Shinnyo-en Foundation has funded a number of grants, which support various forms of Service-Learning curricula. On October 10th and 11th of 2005, Dr. Harumitsu Inouye was invited to speak on a panel at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation-sponsored conference (in conjunction with the John Glen Institute at Ohio State University) entitled “Strengthening Education – Strengthening Democracy: A Forum to Build and Sustain Investments in Youth Through Service-learning.”
The two-day conference was opened by retired astronaut and
Senator John Glenn. The conference featured panel discussions followed by roundtables to mobilize ideas gained from the panel discussions. Dr. Inouye was a panelist for the “Foundations’ Potential for Advancing Service-Learning” segment, which was moderated by Jim Pitofsky, the Deputy-Director of the National Youth Leadership Council.
One of the main goals of the conference was to strengthen people’s awareness of service-learning’s impact on students, their communities and on our society as a whole. “In addition to helping students master important curriculum content, service-learning also develops their civic knowledge and participation skills.” The conference statement of purpose goes on to say “…we must provide young people with an opportunity to learn and apply the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to improve, maintain and sustain their communities.”
2nd Annual Faith and Community Institute Day,
National Conference on Volunteering and Service
Washington, DC
August 3, 2005
At this year's National Conference on Volunteering and Service, Dr. Harumitsu Inouye, Executive Director of the Foundation, and Tony Giannakoulias, staff member of the Shinnyo-en International Affairs Department in Japan, participated in a pre-conference event that brought together leaders from across the United States to share ideas and learn more about the faith and service movement.
Tony Giannakoulias and Haru Inouye chanting Shinnyo-en’s Goreiju verse during the presentation of sacred traditions at the Interfaith Prayer Breakfast. |
The day began with an interfaith prayer breakfast during which 5 different spiritual traditions were shared through song, chanting, speech, and visual presentations. Dr. Inouye gave a brief introduction of Shinnyo-en and the meaning of the Goreiju mantra, with Tony Giannakoulias then joining in to recite it together.
Afterwards, there were opportunities
not only to listen to dynamic guest speakers, but also to learn from each other and share what the Foundation and Shinnyo-en are doing to contribute to society. Overall, it was a wonderful opportunity to network toward future collaborations in faith-based volunteer initiatives.
Morning Prayer by Haru Inouye
August 3, 2005
My name is Haru Inouye, Executive Director of Shinnyo-en Foundation as well as ordained priest of Shinnyo-en, a Mahayana Buddhist order founded by Shinjo Ito. Shinnyo-en Foundation is one of the philanthropic arms of the order.
This is such an honor and precious moment to share the heart of Shinnyo-en.
“Shinnyo” means “the fundamental nature of all things… it is truth that is unchanging and everlasting.” “En” means “borderless garden.” The garden does not have any fences or any gates; it is where anyone can get in and utilize the nurturing ground regardless of their faith and backgrounds. It is a safe and comfortable space so that people might want to sow their own seeds to bloom and/or bear fruit.
Like the analogy of the borderless garden, I believe you are all nurturing seeds to grow by making sure they are getting enough sunlight and water. Sometime you might want to add fertilizer to make sure they are going to bloom and bear fruit.
Even if we are able to provide safe spaces, and even if we are able to nurture the seeds we’ve planted, if we do not have clarity or if there are obstacles in front of us, it can be very challenging…
So, I would like to share the Mantra of Achala’s Benevolence and Salvation. This mantra calls on the power of Achala, a divinity symbolizing the destruction of delusion. The text of the mantra has existed for the last 2500 years, so it is in Sanskrit, but the melody of the mantra was added by the former head of Shinnyo-en, Tomoji Ito.
I hope this powerful mantra will lead to the healing of suffering spirits and souls to bring them together to serve beside one another without any distinction between friend or foe for the happiness of all human beings and world peace.
Thank you for allowing me to share this with you today.
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Fan dance by members of WAIT (Washington AIDS International Teens), a volunteer group of 13-19 year olds dedicated to preventing the spread of AIDS. Believing that “HIV stops with me,” they use acting, singing, music, and dance to spread that message. They also partner with NGOs to bring medical supplies, goods and information to other populations.
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Capping off the day was this multi-act performance by The HOPE Story Tree Gang on perseverance, tolerance, and reconciliation. |
Tony Giannakoulias remarked on the diverse faith traditions represented: “I was struck with a quote from the Koran I saw in some of the literature available at the exhibition tables: ‘God makes people different for a good reason, not a bad one.’ I really felt this at the conference through the different speakers and presentations given, that there is strength in diversity when everyone is working toward the same goal. It reminded me of what the head of Shinnyo-en said---that by helping others we bring out the best in ourselves and make our individuality shine. It’s also in line with the theme of the Foundation, ‘give, grow, transform,’ and its mission of building more caring communities.”
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International Roundtable Luncheon keynote speaker David Knafo, Director, Division of Special Duties, Israeli Ministry of Social Affairs. The theme of the luncheon was “Addressing Conflict Through Interfaith Service and Dialogue.” |
One of the networking and discussion rounds. Pictured speaking is former mayor of Philadelphia the Rev. Dr. W. Wilson Goode, describing faith-based initiatives such as Amachi, a mentoring program model for children of incarcerated parents. Discussions at other tables covered a wide range of topics such as strategies for re-engaging youth, holding on to faith while serving in the public arena, and interfaith organizing. |
“Facilitating Extraordinary Accomplishments in Hawaii’s Youth”
Character Education Panel Discussion, Hilo, Hawaii
April 8, 2005
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Dr. Harumitsu Inouye, Executive Director of the
Foundation participated in a workshop discussion
with several other experts on character and values education, organized by Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) Big Island and the Volunteer Resource Center of Hawaii with support from Shinnyo-en Foundation, Na Lei Aloha Foundation and the County of Hawaii. Other participants included Dr. Earl Bakken, co-founder and Chairman Emeritus of Medtronic, Inc. and President o Five Mountains Hawaii; Dr. Art-Ong Jumsai, Director of the Institute of Sathya Sai Education; Jim Thompson, author and Founder of Positive Coaching Alliance; and Dr. Rose Tseng, Chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo.
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This workshop was designed to facilitate an opportunity for leaders who make funding, personnel and program decisions in education and youth activities to come together to hear success stories and descriptions of barriers to overcome – and to design their own enhancing plans to facilitate extraordinary accomplishments in Hawaii’s youth. Please read the article below for more details.
Experts: Children need positive reinforcement, encouragement
Hawaii Tribune-Herald, Sunday, April 10, 2005.
Crazed sports coaches are feared and hated by the players they coach, but none is as ugly as the coach who breaks down children emotionally to get wins.
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Mayor Harry Kim has seen that coach, repeatedly. As a football, track and soccer dad, Kim watched youth sports coaches in their “subtle ways” coldly cut a player from the team. He listened to them tell players “you’re only here to warm the bench” and “you’ll only play the last 30 seconds of the game, the part that doesn’t matter.” Read Entire Article [PDF]
Boulder, Colorado
June 16 - 20, 2005
Under clear blue skies and nestled against a backdrop of snow-capped Rocky mountains, Shinnyo-en Foundation sent representatives to attend the “Soul in Education Conference” conducted on June 16th through June 20th, 2005. This year’s theme, “Creating a Compassionate Future” fits the mission of the foundation, which includes the phrase “To bring forth deeper compassion among humankind…”.
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Mark Pinto Facilitating Workshop Activities |
Haru Inouye Presenting the SEF Paradigm |
The conference featured several workshops and guest speakers, each offering helpful ways to promote the implementation of education curriculum that is infused with compassion. The Foundation was honored to present their workshop, which included the presentation of the “Paradigm of Service”. The workshop was well attended and there was plenty of constructive feedback. This conference was a wonderful chance for the members of the Foundation to meet new friends and to increase the network of compassion.
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