Monday, July 25, 2011
Total funds raised for Japan
As of July 25th, a total of $7120 has been donated to the people of Japan through Tao Sangha fundraising in Montreal, Toronto, Madison, Chicago and Portland. Thank you everyone for your generosity and efforts and for remembering those suffering and in great need.
Shiatsu and Dinner for Japan in Madison
On Saturday evening July 16th, 20 adults and 4 children came together at the Tao Sangha Madison Center to support Japan. Short shiatsu treatments were given by Alex Pereklita who was visiting from the Toronto Center and myself to most attending the event. At 7:oopm an authentic Indian dinner was served, that was made by a neighbor woman from India.
Because of the heat of the day most of us ate outside. After dinner we enjoyed hula hooping, games, telling stories, and kids caught fireflies. Inside, slideshows and videos of Japan were continuously shown and some made cards to send to those in shelters in Japan. Over $300 was raised and will be wired to Japan to continue to support people in shelters in the Tohoku area.
Charity Shiatsu fundarising for Japan in Chicago
The Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) in Chicago hosted a Charity Shiatsu event to raise awareness and $100 in funds for Japan. Two Tao Shiatsu practitioners from Toronto and Madison came together to create this impromptu event. For the PCOM students participating it was unique to experience the personal relief through Tao Shiatsu treatment and at the same time with donation support and enrich the lives of people in need on the other side of the planet.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Sending some Vegetables to a shelter in Kesen-numa (Report #3)
Every Saturday, we hold fund raising at Nakano train station (in Tokyo). Last Saturday we collected 16188yen ( about $200CAN). Lately, some people donate repeatedly. We are so grateful for everyone who participated.
We get supplies from Tsukiji central market in Tokyo. This supplier doesn’t charge us extra to make a profit, and is even considerate enough to pack everything neatly to make our transportation costs down. Much appreciated !!
We send raw vegetables instead of root vegetables, since the shelters where we send the food still have no cooking facilities.
When I visited some shelters in the beginning of June, there were 380 people in Kesen-numa shelters. I was there during lunchtime, so, I asked a few people about the food situation, even though I thought it maybe a little rude to do so. One lady answered that she had a simple rice ball, a half portion of tofu (about 200g) and some miso soup with a piece of daikon and carrot for lunch. Her breakfast was a readymade sweet bread, a pack of milk and vegetable juice. She had yet to finish some of her breakfast, as I could see some remains at her bed side. She told me meat and potatoes are served for supper, but she did not look happy about it. “I just came like this…just could survive, and I can’t complain if I think about all those victims <who died>. So yes, the food situation is poor, but it is the same for everyone,” said she.
Mr. Uji-ie said, “I used to weigh 67 kg when I came here, now I’m 59 kg. Our diet right now is not well balanced, not enough vegetables, and my joints hurt.”
Mr. Satou told me he’d hardly had any vegetables till May, only some boiled daikon and carrots from a can give out by the army. Ms. Ono, who is a welfare commissioner told me for her, it was a rice ball and some sweet confectionary, and a man beside her said, “ yes, yes, it was also a rice ball and a yo-kan “(a sweet red bean).
A boxed lunch was served for lunch and supper when June came. “there were some fried vegetables and deep fried stuff。We felt so happy. But raw vegetables were a mouth full of fine chopped cabbage… wanna have some lettuce…” said Mr. Satou. And Ms. Ono said “I’ve never seen a whole tomato since I‘ve been here.”
I went back to Tokyo and called Ms. Ono, asking, “Will everyone be happier if I send some raw vegetables?” She quickly replied, “we can have some salad, that would be great!”
We sent : 40kg of Tomatoes, 20kg of cucumbers, 20kg of lettuce, 25kg of onions, and 5kg of celery.
Ms. Ono called on the 21st, saying, “It’s arrived!”
On the 22nd, I talked with Ms. Ono and she said, “Everybody was so happy to have some salad! We divided the vegetables into 300 meals! Thank you very much!”
Friday, July 1, 2011
Dinner Fundraiser in Portland, OR
On June 12th The Global Uni Community of Tao Sangha Portland held a benefit dinner for Japan. We prepared and served a 5 course “Japanese Style” meal, held a raffle, made cards to send to the shelters and had a belly dance performance!
It truly was a delicious evening of community, heartfelt generosity, and inspiration. We raised over $1700 for the people of Japan. This brings such a wonderful feeling!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Children's Day Fundraiser for Japan in Madison, Wisconsin :USA
On May 28th the Global Uni Community of Tao Sangha Madison held a Children’s Day Fundraiser for Japan. Children made kites, families made dolls, parades put smiles on faces, and the sushi was delicious!
Short shiatsu treatments, the sale of Tao goods and the auction of community member’s art, yoga classes, and services. The slideshows and storytelling inspired us all with the Spirit of Japan. People gave altogether about $500 to send to Japan.
See photos of the event
Thank you everyone far and near for your support!
Tao Sangha Madison
taosanghamadison@gmail.com
On May 28th the Global Uni Community of Tao Sangha Madison held a
Children’s Day Fundraiser for Japan. Children made kites, families made
dolls, parades put smiles on faces, and the sushi was delicious! Funds
were raised through short shiatsu treatments, Tao goods for sale, and through
the auction/sale of community member’s art, yoga classes, and services. The
slideshows and storytelling inspired us all with the Spirit of Japan. People
gave altogether about $500 to send to Japan. Thank you everyone far and near
for your support!
To see more photos from the event please visit Picasa at https://picasaweb.google.com/106194317556353492293/Madison2011ChildrenSDayFundraiserForJapan03?authkey=Gv1sRgCOeIp6XS4cOpSA
Namu
Amida Butsu Deb for Tao Sangha Madison
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Recent Shiatsu Fundraiser in Toronto
thank you to everyone for their efforts and hard work last Sunday at the
Charity Shiatsu Fundraising event in Toronto. And special thanks to Yutaka,
Nami and Anne for driving all the way from Montreal for the event!!! In
total, $700 was raised, and together with over $300 in recent donations, will be sent it to Japan shortly.
I sincerely hope that all centres will continue to raise money for, and awareness about
the situation in Japan in order to aid the people who have lost so much, in their material and spiritual re-building.
Alex
Charity Shiatsu Fundraising event in Toronto. And special thanks to Yutaka,
Nami and Anne for driving all the way from Montreal for the event!!! In
total, $700 was raised, and together with over $300 in recent donations, will be sent it to Japan shortly.
I sincerely hope that all centres will continue to raise money for, and awareness about
the situation in Japan in order to aid the people who have lost so much, in their material and spiritual re-building.
Alex
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Sendai Report 2 by Shin Hasegawa May 12, 2011
The first delivery of vegetables departed to Karakuwa, Kesenn-numa from Tsuki ji trading market in Tokyo
The food supply situation in Karakuwa shelter is still far away from a reasonable situation. They have only a piece of bread or a rice ball for lunch, and sometimes no lunch. This is a story I got from this lady who is in the shelter. She sent me the latest weekly menu for breakfast, lunch and supper. It’s been about 2 months from the incidence, but still they don’t have enough food, not only no vegetables, but also some meat and fish.
When I thought I better send some vegetables for the meantime was few weeks ago. But, As long as I was sending, I better continue as long as necessary.
However, sending the right amount , enough for everybody in the shelter of few hundred of people is not easy, but I don’t want to say impossible. I really wanted to suggest in my loudest voice to all of those rich people in the world, please send necessary amount of vegetables to the victims !!
We at GUC sent some of vegetables a couple of times, but it just stopped, because we felt like getting a mass amount from retailer is not the best choice, there must be another choice. Then we’ve kept researching the other way until a few weeks passed.
Well, still a lack of food in Karakuwa is a serious issue though, I thought maybe no other way. But something hit my brain to remind myself that a friend of mine is working at a fish market located in Tsukiji global trading market in Tokyo. I contacted him and asked about vegetables, so, his answer was “ hold on for a while”. OK, let’s see what happens.
In few days, I got a mail from him saying, everything will be fine, he talked to a vegetable whole seller, and this man offered no profit deal if sending to Kesen-numa.
What a beautiful expression! I felt so, so, grateful. Never give up, that’s it. I went to see this man Mr. Kozakai. He was born in Niigata prefecture. He also sent some vegetables when earthquake hit Niigata few years ago. He is a kind man who cannot ignore anyone who is in trouble.
May 12th, 11:15am.
Courier transport service men started to load a few kinds of vegetables. We bought those vegetables by GUC donation, and contributions organized by Tokyo and Kyoto members. Those are not only vegetables but those are the one that people put their ultimate wish into it. It must bring strong positive energies to people in the shelter.
18 Squishes /30kg,
80 burdocks/16kg
Onions/80kg
Green onions/16kg
Eggplants/25kg
Calottes/80kg
40Cabages/ 50kg
80 Daikon/100kg
Mr. Kozakai and I were watching those vegetables were loaded from not too far place. I felt also there are great volumes of “Ki” with us from all of people who donated and contributed with strong wish.
Reported by Shin Hasegawa
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Report By Ryokyu Endo (excerpts from Japanese posts in April and May)
Arriving to the affected area
We spent the whole morning to find what people in the affected area need , arranging a car rental , etc and finally could depart just after 12:00 pm.
I am a world ranking bad direction man. I really worried about whether I can arrive where we are supposed to arrive while driving, but the highway brought us to our destination after about 2 hours drive.
Here we were standing at a destroyed Kesen-numa city, that reminding me a movie scene from “the planet of the apes” which is years after the world nuclear war. I almost felt dizziness by the nothingness. It is a place where there was a city. I couldn’t feel it as a reality. Also I couldn’t feel to take pictures because I felt like taking picture feels like printing one’s misfortunate, but the other hand, it is a mission for those who step into the area, I resolved to myself to take some.
Finally we arrived to the affected area supporting headquarters after 5:00pm. I thought an idea that we come here was a right choice because the supplies that GUC H.Q sent haven’t arrived yet. Anyway, we handed the supplies that we brought to Mr. Ogawa, and Mr. Kokuta who is the leader of headquarters, and also informed them that we purchased 10 washing machines.
I thought we could give some treatment from now on, but we were informed that there are no volunteer activities permitted after 5:00 pm here. Karakuwa town where we are has no power yet, so we start tomorrow.
Night of April 4th is falling with occasional after shocks all through the night.
I was going to treat some people right away in the morning, but as I decided I took some time to take pictures.
Tsunami attacked just 20 meters away from where I stayed according to Akira San who is a level I Tao Shiatsu student in Tokyo. He also kindly let me stayed in his place. The area nearby was completely disappeared. It washed away. Here Karakuwa town residents lost 60 people by the tsunami and 700 people who lost everything but themselves are in the shelter. The ones I treat are those who experienced a miracle to find themselves as an alive being.
I asked Mr. Tomari to coordinate people who want to have a treatment. He is a very good coordinator, people came one after another, and those were having heavy symptoms such as back pain for 30 years, dislocated joint, and torn ligament etc.
It seemed like I haven’t forgotten how to give treatment, everyone cured and feeling happy about result, but everyone is carrying a great amount of damage in deeper part of their heart. I had to take longer time than usual and double amount of care. I took Sho-diagnosis for each person, and determined to cure everyone completely by one treatment. My concentration level was always hitting in red zone over boost and my heart was screaming in recognition because of it.
I think I treated about 13 people, maybe 12 that day.
When I went back Akira’s house at night, there were some beers and Sake on the table. I was wondering what kind of miracle it is, and Akira told me the person who had torn ligaments brought them as his appreciation that he can walk as before injury. Apparently he was a visitor , one of a few who didn’t loose their house like Akira. He brought some stuff that is rare to get here right now, so grateful for his care.
After Shock Mag. 7.4
Next day, April 7th, Treatments continued from the morning. The coordinator is sending whoever without doubting the effectiveness of treatment. Those are the people who have deep obvious wound. I cannot neglect my full concentration even a split second. I continued to treat one by one with my whole existence, carefully and wishing to not regret for what I didn’t do. The meaning of non regret is if we give anything, we don’t regret for those but if don’t give, it remains as a life time regret.
At twilight time, I gave 338000 yen to electro store owner ( he lost everything now) for washing machine. At night, power was back. It’s been no power for 3 weeks. I could give more treatment total also 12-13 people today.
When I was in the middle of a temporally relief out of the darkness, it was around 11:30 pm, I felt unforgettable rumble that was followed by a big quake. Then, power that just came back is gone again, “hello darkness, my old friend” .
Akira said that the other building is considerably safer, so we moved there in the great amount of shaking. Akira turned a flashlight on, and the radio as well. They said it was magnitude . 7.4. Akira whispered “ Tsunami might hit again….”I thought if it hits here maybe not safe because piers at the ocean were destroyed already. I prepared for that moment and decided to just sleep but the following after shocks were also quite strong to wake me up many times till the morning.
Next day, the highway can’t be entered, and traffic lights weren’t working. It took me 7 hours to get back to Sendai. Even this day and next day I continued to feel shaking feeling that feels like body is shaking all the time.
Blog is a good source of information
“ I saw your blog, and I want to bring washing machines to Kesen-numa and other stuff as well” I received a message like this from someone unknown. I really felt grateful and glad. To feel someone’s giving heart always makes us happy. I immediately called several shelters but can’t connect, and finally able to connect one of them through an information from an old friend of mine, Clive ,who is a member of GUC and a foster parent of Rakhein child, and now he is delivering stuff to the affected area almost every week. .
A representative out there is very happy about washing machine, and I asked for anything else or more that they need. Answer was, some can food, instant cooked food and some vegetables. I asked for a man who saw my blog to bring them as well.
Grateful for support from many places.
I heard from Japanese who live in Canada about the image of Japan and that people now feel it is polluted with radiation everywhere. I thought the same thing , because we are thinking about everywhere is polluted with radiation in Fukushima Japan. "The view from outside country for Japan ---> The view from outside Fukushima in Japan for Fukushima" pretty similar graph.
By the way, good news with washing machines arriving to shelter, and also a message from Mr. Akira "the atmosphere of shelter got really brighter than before" That's really good message! Otherwise, Canada Tao Sangha gathered with 2000 dollar (it's about 175000 yen), and that money has arrived so I'll go to a bank. This money can be used for purchase of relief supplies. also US Tao Sangha informed us that we will send some solar cooker for Japan, this supply really helped in 2010 Haiti earthquake. I'm starting to check where I can send them for right now. I really appreciate that we can do larger scale of support because of "everyone's support to Fukushima support”
The serious case of lack of vegetables.
There is a pretty serious that there is a lack of vegetables in the shelters. I heard people in the shelters have only carbohydrate meals. I had experienced that (only a carbohydrate diet for about a month, when I was 17 or 18 as a runaway boy) so I totally understand how hard that is. The body becomes lazy and mind becomes inactive. Unhealthy meals make damage for a human heart. After a month I was so impressed with a meal that has meat and vegetables!
This information came from yesterday and Mr. Hasegawa and I looked for possibility about delivery from local city.
But it's hard to find, because vegetable stores are unwilling to deliver to Kesennuma City and may take many extra days to send. Mayu said "Let's send from Kyoto by mail, that's easier." I see, I think so too. At once Mr Masato and Mr Mahiro and I went to vegetable wholesaler then delivery store, and we sent it. I really hope that it arrives fresh.
The details are : Potatoes 30 kg, Onion 20 kg, Radish 30 kg, Carrot 10 kg, total about 6 big boxes. I wish somebody also send vegetable it's like us. We are also keep looking for delivery volunteer in Miyagi state.
We spent the whole morning to find what people in the affected area need , arranging a car rental , etc and finally could depart just after 12:00 pm.
I am a world ranking bad direction man. I really worried about whether I can arrive where we are supposed to arrive while driving, but the highway brought us to our destination after about 2 hours drive.
Here we were standing at a destroyed Kesen-numa city, that reminding me a movie scene from “the planet of the apes” which is years after the world nuclear war. I almost felt dizziness by the nothingness. It is a place where there was a city. I couldn’t feel it as a reality. Also I couldn’t feel to take pictures because I felt like taking picture feels like printing one’s misfortunate, but the other hand, it is a mission for those who step into the area, I resolved to myself to take some.
Finally we arrived to the affected area supporting headquarters after 5:00pm. I thought an idea that we come here was a right choice because the supplies that GUC H.Q sent haven’t arrived yet. Anyway, we handed the supplies that we brought to Mr. Ogawa, and Mr. Kokuta who is the leader of headquarters, and also informed them that we purchased 10 washing machines.
I thought we could give some treatment from now on, but we were informed that there are no volunteer activities permitted after 5:00 pm here. Karakuwa town where we are has no power yet, so we start tomorrow.
Night of April 4th is falling with occasional after shocks all through the night.
I was going to treat some people right away in the morning, but as I decided I took some time to take pictures.
Tsunami attacked just 20 meters away from where I stayed according to Akira San who is a level I Tao Shiatsu student in Tokyo. He also kindly let me stayed in his place. The area nearby was completely disappeared. It washed away. Here Karakuwa town residents lost 60 people by the tsunami and 700 people who lost everything but themselves are in the shelter. The ones I treat are those who experienced a miracle to find themselves as an alive being.
I asked Mr. Tomari to coordinate people who want to have a treatment. He is a very good coordinator, people came one after another, and those were having heavy symptoms such as back pain for 30 years, dislocated joint, and torn ligament etc.
It seemed like I haven’t forgotten how to give treatment, everyone cured and feeling happy about result, but everyone is carrying a great amount of damage in deeper part of their heart. I had to take longer time than usual and double amount of care. I took Sho-diagnosis for each person, and determined to cure everyone completely by one treatment. My concentration level was always hitting in red zone over boost and my heart was screaming in recognition because of it.
I think I treated about 13 people, maybe 12 that day.
When I went back Akira’s house at night, there were some beers and Sake on the table. I was wondering what kind of miracle it is, and Akira told me the person who had torn ligaments brought them as his appreciation that he can walk as before injury. Apparently he was a visitor , one of a few who didn’t loose their house like Akira. He brought some stuff that is rare to get here right now, so grateful for his care.
After Shock Mag. 7.4
Next day, April 7th, Treatments continued from the morning. The coordinator is sending whoever without doubting the effectiveness of treatment. Those are the people who have deep obvious wound. I cannot neglect my full concentration even a split second. I continued to treat one by one with my whole existence, carefully and wishing to not regret for what I didn’t do. The meaning of non regret is if we give anything, we don’t regret for those but if don’t give, it remains as a life time regret.
At twilight time, I gave 338000 yen to electro store owner ( he lost everything now) for washing machine. At night, power was back. It’s been no power for 3 weeks. I could give more treatment total also 12-13 people today.
When I was in the middle of a temporally relief out of the darkness, it was around 11:30 pm, I felt unforgettable rumble that was followed by a big quake. Then, power that just came back is gone again, “hello darkness, my old friend” .
Akira said that the other building is considerably safer, so we moved there in the great amount of shaking. Akira turned a flashlight on, and the radio as well. They said it was magnitude . 7.4. Akira whispered “ Tsunami might hit again….”I thought if it hits here maybe not safe because piers at the ocean were destroyed already. I prepared for that moment and decided to just sleep but the following after shocks were also quite strong to wake me up many times till the morning.
Next day, the highway can’t be entered, and traffic lights weren’t working. It took me 7 hours to get back to Sendai. Even this day and next day I continued to feel shaking feeling that feels like body is shaking all the time.
Blog is a good source of information
“ I saw your blog, and I want to bring washing machines to Kesen-numa and other stuff as well” I received a message like this from someone unknown. I really felt grateful and glad. To feel someone’s giving heart always makes us happy. I immediately called several shelters but can’t connect, and finally able to connect one of them through an information from an old friend of mine, Clive ,who is a member of GUC and a foster parent of Rakhein child, and now he is delivering stuff to the affected area almost every week. .
A representative out there is very happy about washing machine, and I asked for anything else or more that they need. Answer was, some can food, instant cooked food and some vegetables. I asked for a man who saw my blog to bring them as well.
Grateful for support from many places.
I heard from Japanese who live in Canada about the image of Japan and that people now feel it is polluted with radiation everywhere. I thought the same thing , because we are thinking about everywhere is polluted with radiation in Fukushima Japan. "The view from outside country for Japan ---> The view from outside Fukushima in Japan for Fukushima" pretty similar graph.
By the way, good news with washing machines arriving to shelter, and also a message from Mr. Akira "the atmosphere of shelter got really brighter than before" That's really good message! Otherwise, Canada Tao Sangha gathered with 2000 dollar (it's about 175000 yen), and that money has arrived so I'll go to a bank. This money can be used for purchase of relief supplies. also US Tao Sangha informed us that we will send some solar cooker for Japan, this supply really helped in 2010 Haiti earthquake. I'm starting to check where I can send them for right now. I really appreciate that we can do larger scale of support because of "everyone's support to Fukushima support”
The serious case of lack of vegetables.
There is a pretty serious that there is a lack of vegetables in the shelters. I heard people in the shelters have only carbohydrate meals. I had experienced that (only a carbohydrate diet for about a month, when I was 17 or 18 as a runaway boy) so I totally understand how hard that is. The body becomes lazy and mind becomes inactive. Unhealthy meals make damage for a human heart. After a month I was so impressed with a meal that has meat and vegetables!
This information came from yesterday and Mr. Hasegawa and I looked for possibility about delivery from local city.
But it's hard to find, because vegetable stores are unwilling to deliver to Kesennuma City and may take many extra days to send. Mayu said "Let's send from Kyoto by mail, that's easier." I see, I think so too. At once Mr Masato and Mr Mahiro and I went to vegetable wholesaler then delivery store, and we sent it. I really hope that it arrives fresh.
The details are : Potatoes 30 kg, Onion 20 kg, Radish 30 kg, Carrot 10 kg, total about 6 big boxes. I wish somebody also send vegetable it's like us. We are also keep looking for delivery volunteer in Miyagi state.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
UNI CHARITY FESTIVAL
In Kyoto, Japan
Sunday May 22
Organized by NPO UNI and Yamauto volunteers
A triple disaster of an earthquake, tsunami and radiation spills have never happened before in history. At the same time this can be a turning point for Japan to change into country based on natural and renewable energy with a spirit of taking care of each other. We wish to create such a future with everyone in this event.
Natural Energy
Displays:
Bicycle-powered electricity
Solar cookers and more!
Speakers:
•Aileen Smith has been active in the anti-nuclear movement in Japan since 1982 after a year of interviewing residents living around Three Mile Island, USA about the 1979 nuclear accident. She is the co-founder of Stop the Monju (1990), a citizen organization working to stop Japan's fast breeder reactor, Currently Aileen is the executive director of Green Action based in Kyoto, which aims to stop Japan's plutonium utilization program.
http://www.greenaction-japan.org/modules/entop2/
•Midori Hiragi co-founded Handmade Projects NGO in Hong Kong in 1998 to organize the Journey to Forever project. Journey to Forever is a pioneering expedition by a small, mobile NGO (Non-Government Organization) involved in environment and rural development work, starting from Hong Kong and traveling 40,000 kilometres through 26 countries in Asia and Africa to Cape Town, South Africa.
Theme "What will you eat in this radiation era?"
Radioactive food and drink will damage your body from inside for long time. Should we feel so safe about food so easily? Can you trust your institution for what you eat?
Not only radiation, but today's food systems are harming us and the Earth. We should re-think about becoming more self-reliant about what we eat.
http://journeytoforever.org/index.html
Live Music:
(Part of the electricity for the live music will be created by bicycle-power)
•Hiroki Okano began his solo music career in 1987. Okano's highly acclaimed music blends traditional and digital instruments with natural sounds, expressing the typical Japanese sensitivity of respect and appreciation for the natural world. Hiroki Okano has given concerts with various bands and artists touring Europe and U.S. His current working passion is music with the theme of "sympathetic resonance" for the earth as a sacred place, creating musical dedication to World Natural Heritage sites.
http://www.tenkoo.com/hirokiokano/
•MEW grew up listening to pop, reggae, and rock music. She's been performing since 2005, and has built her career as a vocalist, including performing with Fumiyo Nomura. At the festival she will perform with the Jazz Band SMO.
•Endo Ryokyu and Lamani
Lamani is the "Ambient Rock" band which musician Endo Ryokyu organized after he has released 5 CD albums from major Japanese Record company called Midi. (which has been releasing Sakamoto Ryuichi's albums). In his band Endo plays electric guitar, recorder and Koto (Japanese zither).
Other musicians are: Mayu (synthesizer), Jiyu (percussion), Nam (piano, foot base, voice), Genryu (acoustic guitar).
A unique aspect of this band is that all members are practitioners of musical Buddhist chanting of Wadaji temple, which Endo Ryokyu is the head priest of. "Music of Lamani is a soothing great gift. It is devotional, ecstasy, love, and tenderness all in ONE." Barbel Gleason (Austria)
http://www.endo-ryokyu
Flea Market:
• German Group
German Food Shop, Face Paint, etc.
http://www.mausgruppe.com/lang-de.html
• Rokuro Bicycle-powered electricity
Come experience creating natural energy by yourself!
In this live exhibit, when you bicycle and make continuous electricity to play one song on a CD player you will receive 1 UNI which you can use as 100 yen in this event.
Bento boxes, used books and goods, Healthy & vegan sweets, Chai, Solar coffee, Arabian food, and more!
All booths and performers in the Uni Charity Festival are for donation to care for the Tohoku disaster refugees. The festival is following the example of restaurant owners going to shelters and making meals for free for refugees.
All vendors and performers are participating with this same heart.
100% of all vendors' net income will be used to support the disaster refugees. Please see http://npouni.net/event/eg
If you wish to open a booth please contact: keijun55@s9.dion.ne.jp or stratix@hotmail.com.
Organized by
NPO UNI of Tao Sangha
http://npouni.net/event/eg
For Tohoku Disaster Refuges
•Live Music •Flea Market •Natural Energy Displays & Speakers Sunday May 22
11:00am -5:00pm
Organized by NPO UNI and Yamauto volunteers A triple disaster of an earthquake, tsunami and radiation spills have never happened before in history. At the same time this can be a turning point for Japan to change into country based on natural and renewable energy with a spirit of taking care of each other. We wish to create such a future with everyone in this event.
Natural Energy
Displays:
Bicycle-powered electricity
Solar cookers and more!
Speakers:
•Aileen Smith has been active in the anti-nuclear movement in Japan since 1982 after a year of interviewing residents living around Three Mile Island, USA about the 1979 nuclear accident. She is the co-founder of Stop the Monju (1990), a citizen organization working to stop Japan's fast breeder reactor, Currently Aileen is the executive director of Green Action based in Kyoto, which aims to stop Japan's plutonium utilization program.
http://www.greenaction-japan.org/modules/entop2/
•Midori Hiragi co-founded Handmade Projects NGO in Hong Kong in 1998 to organize the Journey to Forever project. Journey to Forever is a pioneering expedition by a small, mobile NGO (Non-Government Organization) involved in environment and rural development work, starting from Hong Kong and traveling 40,000 kilometres through 26 countries in Asia and Africa to Cape Town, South Africa.
Theme "What will you eat in this radiation era?"
Radioactive food and drink will damage your body from inside for long time. Should we feel so safe about food so easily? Can you trust your institution for what you eat?
Not only radiation, but today's food systems are harming us and the Earth. We should re-think about becoming more self-reliant about what we eat.
http://journeytoforever.org/index.html
Live Music:
(Part of the electricity for the live music will be created by bicycle-power)
•Hiroki Okano began his solo music career in 1987. Okano's highly acclaimed music blends traditional and digital instruments with natural sounds, expressing the typical Japanese sensitivity of respect and appreciation for the natural world. Hiroki Okano has given concerts with various bands and artists touring Europe and U.S. His current working passion is music with the theme of "sympathetic resonance" for the earth as a sacred place, creating musical dedication to World Natural Heritage sites.
http://www.tenkoo.com/hirokiokano/
•MEW grew up listening to pop, reggae, and rock music. She's been performing since 2005, and has built her career as a vocalist, including performing with Fumiyo Nomura. At the festival she will perform with the Jazz Band SMO.
•Endo Ryokyu and Lamani
Lamani is the "Ambient Rock" band which musician Endo Ryokyu organized after he has released 5 CD albums from major Japanese Record company called Midi. (which has been releasing Sakamoto Ryuichi's albums). In his band Endo plays electric guitar, recorder and Koto (Japanese zither).
Other musicians are: Mayu (synthesizer), Jiyu (percussion), Nam (piano, foot base, voice), Genryu (acoustic guitar).
A unique aspect of this band is that all members are practitioners of musical Buddhist chanting of Wadaji temple, which Endo Ryokyu is the head priest of. "Music of Lamani is a soothing great gift. It is devotional, ecstasy, love, and tenderness all in ONE." Barbel Gleason (Austria)
http://www.endo-ryokyu
Flea Market:
• German Group
German Food Shop, Face Paint, etc.
http://www.mausgruppe.com/lang-de.html
• Rokuro Bicycle-powered electricity
Come experience creating natural energy by yourself!
In this live exhibit, when you bicycle and make continuous electricity to play one song on a CD player you will receive 1 UNI which you can use as 100 yen in this event.
Bento boxes, used books and goods, Healthy & vegan sweets, Chai, Solar coffee, Arabian food, and more!
All booths and performers in the Uni Charity Festival are for donation to care for the Tohoku disaster refugees. The festival is following the example of restaurant owners going to shelters and making meals for free for refugees.
All vendors and performers are participating with this same heart.
100% of all vendors' net income will be used to support the disaster refugees. Please see http://npouni.net/event/eg
If you wish to open a booth please contact: keijun55@s9.dion.ne.jp or stratix@hotmail.com.
Organized by
NPO UNI of Tao Sangha
http://npouni.net/event/eg
NPO UNI (Global UNI Community=GUC) is the Buddhist NGO with aid projects run by Wadaji Tao Sangha. Its purpose is to take care of people who are suffering. Or in other words it's a chance to make the world a more fun place to live. GUC has been giving support to various people in the world, including sending supplies & funds to Haiti, building water wells in Sri Lanka, and running 3 elementary schools, an orphanage, and a community center in Bangladesh. There are GUC branches in Europe, North America and Bangladesh.
GUC also makes T-shirts, which is a symbol of Peaceful resistance against the occupation in Palestine.
Since the Tohoku disaster, Japan UNI has started supporting the refugees by sending food, washing machines, refrigerators and other things to 7 shelters in Tohoku. Tao shiatsu (which is also run by Wadaji Buddhist Temple) is sending volunteer Shiatsu practitioners regularly to this area. Two practitioners visit a shelter of 1000 people (those who escaped from the town in Fukushima where the nuclear plant exploded) and give shiatsu to the refugees 4 times a week.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
True Value as A Human Being
A Report by Ryokyu Endo
An over seas member sent a YouTube video called “Pray for Japan”. It was made by a foreigner who was impressed by how the Japanese earth quake survivors act in a situation like that.
I also was impressed as well, and even more impressed because, those people in Tohoku area are helping others also holding own egos. I think in a situation like that, we show our true selves that might be hidden in a normal situation.
Some financial expert in the United States announced that Japan will become a poor country. It maybe true, but, I think if Japanese people help others with manners and respect as a human being, and indicate a richness of humanity, this is not poor at all; also it’s much better than “overflowing with material but poor in humanity”Japan has to be changed through this situation. They need so much help materially and emotionally. They can’t live with only self-care, the ego has to be held.
I think Japan can’t recover emotionally without the people there caring for each other on the individual level, and really think that nuclear energy should be given up as a source of electric power, because the nuclear image gives us a fear of what happens if accidents occur, so not only environmental damage, they also give us emotional damage. If Japan takes this disaster as a turning point, and gives up the nuclear plants and at the same time replaces them with clean energy sources, based on a “giving and caring spirit”, it will become a great environment-care-taking-nation, which means the richest country on Earth!
Anyway, the best way to find everything out is by being there.
According to Mr. Hasegawa who has been there, there is no power in the disaster areas yet and no power source such as oil, while the snow and cold weather persist.
And, according to someone else, many of the people can’t even change their clothes, and are desperate to have a pocket body warmer, that’s why I brought a trunk full of body warmers. I didn’t bring my (clothing )changes at all when I heard how they are out there.
At late afternoon, I arrived in Sendai city. I met Hase san ( Mr. Hasegawa) just came back from a shelter there and was on the way to Tokyo. He told me they may need some futons and washing machines more than small goods, because they all evacuated with empty hands which means they don’t have enough bedding and having very hard time to get to sleep every night, and missing about 50 of them. How could I get 50 pieces of futon in this city ? How can it be delivered ? I had to think about it.
And, Hase San spent some time with people and finally they told him, that they have some generators, so, if we have some washing machines, it would be great relief because hand washing with cold water is not easy, but it maybe too luxurious. They are very humble to ask to have what they need.
There is a man who lost his house and shop---a consumer electronics shop--- in that shelter, and his estimation with maximum discount price for washing machine is about $3000 Euro which is almost same amount as European Tao Sangha members donation. People in the shelters total is about 700, so if we buy 10 machines it would be good, and we still have some left over money, which is able to buy some other stuff. So, I discussed with Hase San, and decided to buy 10 washing machines.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Report #2 of Tao Sangha Members visiting Sendai April 3 & 4, 2011
April 3rd, 7:50AM
My wife made Onigiri (rice ball) and miso soup, which warms and heals
my heart. I see a light snow outside.
9:10 AM
I gave the supplies to them and asked what is needed for next step.
I went to center provision for earthquake disaster. I met Mr. Kokuta and I
asked him what do you need now and in the future?
The answer was "rain coats for working on rainy days, under pants and
jerseys, sandals, wet tissue, small radio, umbrella, pouch, day packs,
pajamas, masks, hats, and if possible washing machines would be very
helpful...."
About 700 people are living in
these shelters and mostly people
lost their homes and future and
some people lost their families.
Government has a plan to make a
small house (temporary house) for
victims but nobody knows when,
could be in 1 or 2 years.
This project of making small houses
(temporary houses) for everyone is
going to be a long way in the future
for these people. Washing machines
would be very helpful for everyone
because it's a hard job to wash
clothes by hand outside in cold
winter days. I said we will think
about the washing machines.
10PM Volunteer Shiatsu was is Welcomed
We moved to the next shelter near the first one. Because volunteer
Shiatsu needs permission from the shelter's leader, Mr Kokuta guided and
introduced me to Mr. Tsubouchi to ask about giving volunteer Shiatsu.
Mr. Tsubouchi said with smile, "sounds good, first of all could you give
to me?" and he also said to everyone, "they can massage for us, would
anybody like to receive?" The replies came; "I would like to receive
because my shoulder is so stiff"; "me too”, “me too!!" I and Mr Haku were
so happy to hear this positive response and when we came to lunchtime
we were invited to eat the same lunch with everyone.
1:05PM
Delivery of album ... Suddenly, somebody said in a bigvoice "thank you thank you!!!!" It was Mrs. Miura - somebody who was walking around outside found her picture album and delivered it to her.
We slept on the Tatami
One more happy incident -
everybody was sleeping on the
floor, until someone gave us
60 Tatami mats. Everyone was
so happy. We can sleep on the
the softer tatami flooring
starting tonight.
2:10pm
Mrs. Kaneno Takeko
Shiatsu started again. Mr. Sato joined in to give treatments. We gave
through the afternoon and then by candlelight at night. One patient said
"it was the hell". It seems they are living with so much despair and deep
sadness.
Later Mrs. Kaneno Takeko. A 60 year old woman was asked "do you have a problem anywhere?" she said "both of my hands have numbness"
also she said with a small voice……"the Tsunami attacked my husband, I
pulled my husband with both of my hands, I tried hard, again and
again…... but my hand power ran out and he just slipped away". She has
been keeping in her big tears.
6:40 PM
Most people sleep or lay
down. Only a few people
watch TV or radio. We ate
Onigiri (rice balls) from Mrs
Kazue and left-over
Yakisoba (Japanese style
fried noodle) from lunch.
Mr Haku went home and I
stayed here to write down
today’s experiences.
8:15 PM
In the Dark of the Night
Mr. Kazue passed a small light to me. It was so dark outside that I saw
the sky and falling stars. But people here have no space in their hearts to
enjoy this view of the sky. There must be so many people in this dark
night feeling heartbroken and hopeless……so many…...
11:30 PM
I sent email with my phone but it cannot send well and I felt frustrated
with the phone company. I gave up and went to bed. Then Mrs.
Kaneno’s story came from my memory. She lost her husband……. and
her hands still sensitively remember his feeling at that moment. I
was not able to sleep any more………
April 4th 6:30 AM
I woke up and
walked around. I
did Renki near the
temple, and got
more cheerful. It is
still snowing
outside.
7:50 AM
I ate Onigiri and Miso soup. I packed
my bags to prepare to leave in the
afternoon.
8:30 AM Goodbye
I went to shelter a little early, Mr Miura
said "everybody could sleep very well
thank you so much, it's like you are our
new family member.” I thought I was
happy to give this shiatsu in my life.
Dear Mr Ryokyu, Tao Shiatsu really gave
happiness to everyone.
A lady nearby came to me and asked
about massage. I was ready for Shiatsu
because Renki makes me and my body
ready. Next person was Mrs Kazue. Everybody has a job in here even
older person, because it's a good reason to move the body and keep
healthy. I felt Mrs. Kazue always takes care of herself last. She is just like
a Boddhisatva. Because I have to leave earlier today I decided to give to
her first. I really thank you Mrs. Kazue.
I gave treatments for more people and just a little time was left. I said,
“One more person if you like.. anybody?” Mrs. Kaneno put her hand up. I
was so happy to give shiatsu again for her because she was on my
mind. She said she felt "her condition was very comfortable afterwards" I
imaged god with nembutsu during session. it was a memorable session
for me.
My volunteer shiatsu mission is finished. Mr Haku and Mr. Sato will
continue after me. Mrs Kazue gave me onigiri and banana and water and
said "please eat these in your car while you drive home." I said goodbye
to everyone and went home. I will come back!
I hope everyone's life will be happier.... NamuAmidaButsu.
Report by Shin Hasegawa (Tao Sangha Tokyo)
Translated to English by Satie Fujimoto (Tao Sangha Madison) and Yutaka Toyoda (Tao Sangha Montreal) with English editing by Deb Bachmann (Tao Sangha Madison)
My wife made Onigiri (rice ball) and miso soup, which warms and heals
my heart. I see a light snow outside.
9:10 AM
I gave the supplies to them and asked what is needed for next step.
I went to center provision for earthquake disaster. I met Mr. Kokuta and I
asked him what do you need now and in the future?
The answer was "rain coats for working on rainy days, under pants and
jerseys, sandals, wet tissue, small radio, umbrella, pouch, day packs,
pajamas, masks, hats, and if possible washing machines would be very
helpful...."
these shelters and mostly people
lost their homes and future and
some people lost their families.
Government has a plan to make a
small house (temporary house) for
victims but nobody knows when,
could be in 1 or 2 years.
This project of making small houses
(temporary houses) for everyone is
going to be a long way in the future
for these people. Washing machines
would be very helpful for everyone
because it's a hard job to wash
clothes by hand outside in cold
winter days. I said we will think
about the washing machines.
10PM Volunteer Shiatsu was is Welcomed
We moved to the next shelter near the first one. Because volunteer
Shiatsu needs permission from the shelter's leader, Mr Kokuta guided and
Mr. Tsubouchi said with smile, "sounds good, first of all could you give
to me?" and he also said to everyone, "they can massage for us, would
anybody like to receive?" The replies came; "I would like to receive
because my shoulder is so stiff"; "me too”, “me too!!" I and Mr Haku were
so happy to hear this positive response and when we came to lunchtime
we were invited to eat the same lunch with everyone.
1:05PM
1:20 PM
One more happy incident -
everybody was sleeping on the
floor, until someone gave us
60 Tatami mats. Everyone was
so happy. We can sleep on the
the softer tatami flooring
starting tonight.
2:10pm
Mrs. Kaneno Takeko
Shiatsu started again. Mr. Sato joined in to give treatments. We gave
through the afternoon and then by candlelight at night. One patient said
"it was the hell". It seems they are living with so much despair and deep
sadness.
Later Mrs. Kaneno Takeko. A 60 year old woman was asked "do you have a problem anywhere?" she said "both of my hands have numbness"
also she said with a small voice……"the Tsunami attacked my husband, I
pulled my husband with both of my hands, I tried hard, again and
again…... but my hand power ran out and he just slipped away". She has
been keeping in her big tears.
6:40 PM
Most people sleep or lay
down. Only a few people
watch TV or radio. We ate
Onigiri (rice balls) from Mrs
Kazue and left-over
Yakisoba (Japanese style
fried noodle) from lunch.
Mr Haku went home and I
stayed here to write down
today’s experiences.
8:15 PM
In the Dark of the Night
Mr. Kazue passed a small light to me. It was so dark outside that I saw
the sky and falling stars. But people here have no space in their hearts to
enjoy this view of the sky. There must be so many people in this dark
night feeling heartbroken and hopeless……so many…...
11:30 PM
I sent email with my phone but it cannot send well and I felt frustrated
with the phone company. I gave up and went to bed. Then Mrs.
Kaneno’s story came from my memory. She lost her husband……. and
her hands still sensitively remember his feeling at that moment. I
was not able to sleep any more………
April 4th 6:30 AM
walked around. I
did Renki near the
temple, and got
more cheerful. It is
still snowing
outside.
7:50 AM
I ate Onigiri and Miso soup. I packed
my bags to prepare to leave in the
afternoon.
8:30 AM Goodbye
I went to shelter a little early, Mr Miura
said "everybody could sleep very well
thank you so much, it's like you are our
new family member.” I thought I was
happy to give this shiatsu in my life.
happiness to everyone.
A lady nearby came to me and asked
about massage. I was ready for Shiatsu
because Renki makes me and my body
ready. Next person was Mrs Kazue. Everybody has a job in here even
older person, because it's a good reason to move the body and keep
healthy. I felt Mrs. Kazue always takes care of herself last. She is just like
a Boddhisatva. Because I have to leave earlier today I decided to give to
her first. I really thank you Mrs. Kazue.
I gave treatments for more people and just a little time was left. I said,
“One more person if you like.. anybody?” Mrs. Kaneno put her hand up. I
was so happy to give shiatsu again for her because she was on my
mind. She said she felt "her condition was very comfortable afterwards" I
imaged god with nembutsu during session. it was a memorable session
for me.
My volunteer shiatsu mission is finished. Mr Haku and Mr. Sato will
continue after me. Mrs Kazue gave me onigiri and banana and water and
said "please eat these in your car while you drive home." I said goodbye
to everyone and went home. I will come back!
I hope everyone's life will be happier.... NamuAmidaButsu.
Report by Shin Hasegawa (Tao Sangha Tokyo)
Translated to English by Satie Fujimoto (Tao Sangha Madison) and Yutaka Toyoda (Tao Sangha Montreal) with English editing by Deb Bachmann (Tao Sangha Madison)
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Report of Tao Sangha members visiting Sendai April 1 & 2, 2011
Report by Shin Hasegawa, 長谷川 森 , Tao Sangha Tokyo member
Translated to English by Satie Fujimoto
with English check by Deb Bachmann, Tao Sangha Madison members
April 1st, 9:35 AM
What we can do?
Mr. Haku and I ride in a long-distance bus to the town of Karakuwa, city Kesen-numa in Miyagi-ken (prefecture/state) from Shinjuku-ku in Tokyo. The purpose of this trip is to be able to see and grasp the reality of the place, the people, victims of earthquake and understand what we can do for them. Also we wish to find out what kind of supplies are needed there. And we’ll do volunteer shiatsu if their condition is ready for it, listen to the victim’s heart, listen to their voice and story that does not come up in public.
4:10 PM
Arrived at the city of Sendai (Sendai is the biggest city near earthquake area)
Arrived at the hotel, left our backpacks and went shopping. Sendai also got damaged badly but shopping arcade back to life. We enter Daiei (the one that is a popular big supermarket in Japan), in order to buy some supplies which we’ve learned they need from Mr. Kokuta of the center of disaster provision department. We found the supplies easily and bought socks/sneakers/jerseys for 10 people. We told the register lady, just in case, "this is not buying up stuff: (people’s tendency to over buy or buy up after earthquake because of too much worry)".
Finished dinner by about 9 PM and went to bed. Two Futon covers don’t work well, it's cold. We already heard that there would be no electricity no heater, no shower when we were reserved this room, but it’s much colder than we thought….. couldn't sleep. We thought it would be a good idea to sleep with a winter coat on, but after a short amount of sleep we would wake up again.
April 2nd, 8:10 AM
Move to Karakuwa-cho Kisennuma-shi from Sendai
The breakfast in the cold lobby, was croissant and boiled egg, and I drank coffee, which I usually don't drink, in order to wake up. I told Mr. Haku "you couldn't sleep could you?" He said “what? I was able to sleep very well". I thought maybe I’m weak? but so lucky to I have a reliable partner.
No train, so only way to go is to use rental car, and it was no problem getting a full tank of fuel. Sometimes we felt a big shake on the drive, earthquake? blast? We are honestly scared, and just kept concentrating on having a safe trip.
When we were almost to Kesen-numa-shi, we saw a view that looked like everything was hit by a nuclear weapon. Small amount of snow on top of lots of debris. Gasho (join the palms).
We kept driving and entered Karakuwa area. We saw a yellow car on top of a pile of debris over 15m high, from a supermarket. The tsunami did this.
1:10 PM
Mr. Sato who is a student of Tao Shiatsu, was waiting for us in his house which is near the disaster provision department. We kindly were treated to hot tea at his house. Their place is just a 3-4 minute walk but it is located on higher ground, so nothing was damaged by Tsunami. By the way, his son’s name was Mr. Tao!!
1:45 PM
We visited disaster provision department, and couldn't meet Mr Kokuta,. We heard that this department is mostly running by Mr. Kokuta and Mr. Ogawa, and Mr. Sato really appreciates this. We gave the supplies and Mr. Sato guided us to disaster area.
2:13 PM
Only sigh
We left the high ground and went down to a lower area, the view suddenly changed, everyone got silent. Coming through many brutal sights, unbearable for speaking, naturally keep silent, like my heart is crushed, sigh. we ride around in car. This vision is not a TV show – just immense mountains of debris.
We came here in order to see this reality, we are seeing it and taking this in deeply, but we sigh and sigh. We went back to the car and move to another disaster place, some beautiful seaboard is still there but afterward coming again horrible views.
6:20 PM
Crying crying and more crying
We were supposed to sleep in the disaster shelter or a car, but we stayed at Mr. Sato's house, finished dinner, talked by candlelight, this cold temperature makes me drink a Shochu (it's like a sake, shochu is a distilled beverage native to Japan. It is most commonly distilled from barley, sweet potatoes, or rice.). Kotatsu (electric table heater with futon) doesn't work, but somehow we feel heat from Kotatsu.
Mr. Sato said "my lovely town got Tsunami, some people died who I know very well, many of my loved ones lost their home, job, future, I was just crying, crying and crying". The next day, I heard from other person about Mr. Sato, that he was running helping the fireman just after the disaster.
Mr. Sato was asking about the shiatsu class, which he couldn't attend, and he said "I think I'm not going to be able to join the class for a while"
9:30 PM
I went to bed early from lack of sleep from the last days and Shochu works.
Shin Hasegawa,
長谷川 森
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Getting Up-to-Date
There has been so much happening in Japan since March 11, that it is difficult to know where or how to begin this entry.
So let's do our best to provide a brief summary of some of the efforts made so far by Tao Sangha members around the world. Please also note that more detailed information is available in Japanese and English through the links posted on the righthand side.
So let's do our best to provide a brief summary of some of the efforts made so far by Tao Sangha members around the world. Please also note that more detailed information is available in Japanese and English through the links posted on the righthand side.
- On March 14, only 3 days after the earthquake, an Etegami Workshop in Montreal turned into a workshop to bring hope and best wishes to the people of Japan. Etegami is a hand painted picture on a Japanese post card, with a message written from the heart.
Lead by Sachiko Hata Pereklita, with the theme of "Letters for Japan", Sachiko has continued to give workshops with this theme since then, with the cards eventually finding their way to people in the affected areas of Japan. Click here for some etegami pictures from the first workshop,
https://picasaweb.google.com/montrealtaosangha/EtegamiWishToJapan# - Tao Sangha members around the world have been working hard volunteering their time and energy to give Tao Shiatsu treatments in order to raise money to send to Japan. The fundraising events continue - please check the Tao Sangha Website for the next opportunity to receive a treatment and support Japan!
- In Japan, Tao Sangha members have been visiting the affected areas and communities, providing Tao Shiatsu to many people, especially the elderly.
- From the town of Hutaba-chou, Fukushima, about 1,500 people were moved (due to the risks of radiation) to shelters located i Kazo-city, Saitama. The people are under so much stress, facing an uncertain future, far from their own homes. Tao Sangha GUC Japan's request from local government for a dedicated space to provideTao Shiatsu Therapy was granted, and now, Tao Shiatsu volunteers, with the support of Tao Sangha GUC, provide continued shiatsu to those in need.
- April 1, 2 Report of Tao Sangha members visiting Sendai, the largest city directly affected by the earthquake (to be posted April 27)
- April 9th Relief Trip, A report from Clive France who lives in Japan, a member of Tao Sangha G.U.C. (You can see his original full write up by clicking here)
http://www.google.com/url?sa=D&q=http://tohokuaid.wordpress.com/2011/04/14/april-9-relief-trip-a-few-bumps-but-all-good/
A Few Bumps but All Good ..............Steve Dodds, James Barratt and myself left Tokyo on April 9 at 5:30 am,
considerably later than planned due to Steve’s having an alarm clock
malfunction (his actual words are unprintable). - The rain was coming down hard when we reached the Tohoku Expressway.
Surprisingly, given the bad weather, the road was busy. It was also bumpy,
as new cracks from Thursday’s strong aftershock had been hurriedly filled in
with tarmac......There is something appealingly subversive
about driving through traffic lights that don’t work. Convenience stores
were open but dark and cavernous inside. Lines of empty shelves greeted the
few shoppers..... The devastation is immense. Huge swathes of land covered in the same debris we’ve seen all along the coastline. Household items, drinks machines, boats,
concrete slabs, timber, railway tracks, crushed vehicles—always so many
vehicles. ......... - On April 12, Tao Sangha GUC (Global Uni Community) decided to purchase 10 Washing Machines and donated them to the shelters in the Karakuwa area, Kesennuma City. Since then, the machines have been delivered and about 700 people living in 12 shelters (small shelters have 20 people and some big shelters about 200 people) no longer have to wash their clothes by hand in the cold water. The money was raised, about ¥338,000(US$4,044/ CAN$3,894/ EU€2,793) from overseas Tao Sangha Centres. Message from the Tao Sangha members in Japan: "Please let people know how their money has been used with gratitude."
- in June, Tao Sangha member and documentary filmaker / television producer from Toronto,Yuki Nakamura will travel to Japan to work on a documentary about the disaster.
There will be more posts soon.
There is much more work to do.
And we look forward to everyones support.
Alex Pereklita
Tao Sangha Toronto
There is much more work to do.
And we look forward to everyones support.
Alex Pereklita
Tao Sangha Toronto
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Welcome to the Tao Sangha Japan Relief Updates blog
This blog is a place for people to read about Tao Sangha relief efforts in Japan, including:
And please remember, support starts with our good thoughts and best wishes, and that these wishes can be felt near as well as many thousands of kilometers away...
Tao Sangha North America
- real stories from Tao Sangha members and friends in Japan
- Tao Sangha International efforts in support of Japan
- links to Tao Sangha relief updates in Japanese
- links to other relief work in Japan which may or may not be related to Tao Sangha
- updates about current situations in Japan
And please remember, support starts with our good thoughts and best wishes, and that these wishes can be felt near as well as many thousands of kilometers away...
Tao Sangha North America
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