SHUMEI MAGAZINE. Vol. 243. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2003

A Wonderful Experience of Hoshi in Misono
Roseanna Morse (Hollywood)

I have been enjoying my life since I became a member in 1999. I believe that learning and practicing Jyorei, Meishusama's teachings, and Natural Agriculture is the right way to live and, what is more, is the way to create heaven on earth. So, my life became very meaningful after I joined Shumei.

    Meeting Eugene Sensei and Ms Alice Cuninngham, an interpreter for Kaicho-Sensei, made a complete turnabout in my life. I decided to come to the U.S. when I met them at Grand Sampai in Misono in 2000, and I came to the U.S. in January, 2001. I made up my mind to not return to Japan again, so I even renounced permission for permanent residence in Japan. About four months after I came to the U.S., Eugene Sensei recommended that I go to Misono for one year as a hoshisha [a person who does volunteer work]. I was very surprised to hear that, but at the moment I heard the recommendation I felt, "This is Meishusama's message. This is because there is something I have to learn in Misono. Meishusama wants me to know something in Misono." So, I got a trainee visa and left for Japan at the end of August so that I could begin performing hoshi [volunteer work] beginning September 1, 2001.

    Shumei's International Center of Misono, Japan, is surrounded by mountains, and the changing of the seasons in Misono is really beautiful. Various kinds of trees and flowers show us the art of nature throughout the year: The beauty of autumn leaves fascinates people; the murmur of the stream and songs of birds make us feel at peace; when it's foggy, mountains around Misono are just like a Chinese ink-painting. All of them always make me feel as if I am in Heaven.

    I did hoshi in the auditorium for the first five months. I learned how to clean up there. Actually, it's not just cleaning. There is a big difference between just cleaning and hoshi. Hoshi is cleaning with all our heart for God and Meishusama. For the last seven months, I did hoshi in the kitchen. I spent the hardest days there, but they're good memories now. The hardest thing for me was when I was in charge of making Japanese pickles. I had to do that for more than two hundred people, sometimes three hundred people, for at least two weeks. Although many people helped me a lot, that was still hard for me because I suffered with a purification on my hands then. A few days after I started doing hoshi in the kitchen, many cracks appeared on the backs of both of my hands, and these bled every day and became deeper day by day. I was told that when we get purifications on our hands, that means a poisonous substance we have in our head comes out through our hands, so I knew that my body had been purified.

    As we do hoshi for God and Meishusama, our spirits are purified little by little. As our spirits purify, our bodies are then purified. This is the law: spiritual precedes physical. While I was in Misono I underwent two big purifications. One was of my hands and the other was of my left leg. In the middle of April, 2002, I had a high fever for a couple of days and then my left leg turned red and became incredibly swollen. I had never experienced such pain in my life, but I was really grateful as I knew that my spirit had been purified.

    I enjoyed the many study sessions conducted every month in Misono. I learned a lot about Meishusama. One thing that really impressed me was a quote by Meishusama:. "Try what is difficult to do. That is life." I realized that God knows everything, even what we can't do; God watches our efforts. I was so encouraged by these words.

    The best thing I learned by doing hoshi in Misono for a year is "Love": Meishusama's love of us, our love for Meishusama, and our love for others. I could feel how much Meishusama loves all of us. I know that Meishusama actually always watches us because he gives us individual signs, such as encouragement or a warning. I learned what love for others is by living together with others. There are many rules in living together with others. Observing so many rules leads to consideration for others, which is love for others. If there is no love for others in a group, there is no peace. Love is the most important factor in bringing about peace in the world. So, love for others leads to peace in the world, and that is what Meishusama wanted me to learn—which was lacking in me, I think.

    Having the opportunity to spend time in Misono was a precious experience. I am so very grateful that Meishusama gave me this opportunity. Thank you Meishusama!

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