Nagano: As a part of the events to celebrate the Year of Compassion, Tibet House Japan, with the help of the Year of Compassion Committee members, will be planting more than two hundred Sakura trees this year throughout Japan, starting from Hokkaido to Kyushu Island, to spread the message of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Sakura flower for peace and non-violence. Sakura planting events have already started in some areas like Nagano, Tokyo, Yamanashi, Shikoku, Kyushu, and so on.

On 11 March, Japanese sangha members of the Hokyointo-hosankai and Super Sangha organised a Sakura planting event at Nagano city to pray for the long life of H.H. the Dalai Lama and to spread his message of peace, compassion, and non-violence. The event coincides with the 15th anniversary of the massive earthquake Japan suffered in 2011 and the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Hokyointo-hosankai.

Rev. Iijima Shuntetsu of the Kaizenji Temple moderated the event. A minute of silence was observed for the people who lost their lives during the earthquake and to pray for world peace. Amidst Tibetan lungta prayer flags, Japanese monks, nuns, and the members of the Hosankai and Super Samgha recited scared prayers, including the Heart Sutra, and chanted the Avalokiteshvara mantra, “Om mani padme hum” at the site of Hokyointo stupa.

Rev. Okazawa Keicho of the Hasedera Temple and Chairperson of the Hokyointo-hosankai welcomed the members and participants and expressed his pleasure to be able to offer the Hosankai’s prayers for world peace and celebrate H.H. the Dalai Lama’s 90th birth anniversary with the plantation of the Sakura tree. He thanked Representative Arya for coming all the way from Tokyo to attend the event and share the message of H.H. the Dalai Lama and the photo exhibitions.

Representative Dr. Tsewang Gyalpo Arya of the Liaison office of H.H. the Dalai Lama for Japan and East Asia thanked Hokyointo-hosankai and Super Sangha for organising the event and for their effort in promoting world peace and harmony. He briefed the participants about the four principal commitments of H.H. the Dalai Lama: promotion of human value; promotion of religious harmony; preservation of the Tibetan compassionate culture; and revival of the ancient Indian Nalanda University’s teaching. He explained how these four connect to world peace and stability. He informed the gathering of His Holiness’ core teaching and message to become a kind person and cultivate a compassionate heart and mind.

Rev. Onishi Ryushin of the Super Sangha and Abbot of Iwamurosan Temple expressed his pleasure to attend the event on behalf of the Super Sangha, an association of monks and nuns supporting Tibet and world peace. Rev. Kobyashi Shuei, Vice Chairperson of the Super Sangha, explained how sixty years ago, Rev. Tada Tokan, a Japanese monk who studied in Tibet for ten years, and Rev. Khetsun Sangpo, a Tibetan Buddhist master, and Tibetan scholars Sonam Gyatso and Tsering Dolma built this Hokyointo stupa to offer prayers for all people around the world and for world peace.

A Sakura plant was planted at the site with prayers for the long life of H.H. the Dalai Lama and world peace. Rev. Okazawa, Representative Arya, and Rev. Onishi, followed by the monks and members, offered soil and water to the tree in turns. The local Ocha-no-kai, members of the tea ceremony, offered Japanese tea and auspicious delicacies to sanctify the event.

Photos exhibiting the four missions of H.H. the Dalai Lama were displayed. A Japanese translation of the booklet on the importance of trees written by H.H. the Dalai Lama was distributed to mark the planting of the Sakura tree and to inform the audience of how His Holiness held trees in great esteem.

Hokyointo stupa is situated in the area near the Zenkoji Temple, a well-known temple, who in 2008 stood by Tibet and refused to let the Beijing Olympic Torch start from the Temple. Their contention was how they could collaborate with China when their Tibetan brothers and sisters are suffering under the brutal regime.

Rev. Kobayashi of the Super Sangha and Representative Arya visited Zenkoji Temple later to offer prayers and to thank the Temple for their support and solidarity with the Tibetans. Rev. Wakaomi Toshitaka received and guided them around the Temple. He recalled how H.H. the Dalai Lama visited the Temple in 2010 and left a written message and blessed the Sand Mandala constructed at the time, now preserved in the Temple’s museum. Dr. Arya offered Tibetan Khata and thanked Rev. Wakaomi on behalf of all the Tibetans for standing with the truth that the Lord Buddha taught some 2500 years ago.

– Report filed by Office of Tibet, Japan