SHUMEI MAGAZINE. Vol. 243. JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2003

My Precious Experience
Tommy Tominaga (Philippines)

I would like to share with you a personal experience, and my perspective on the Philippines.

    Last year was the hardest year of my life. I had several severe hardships throughout the year. The greatest hardship was that the person whom I truly rely on misunderstood what I did for Shumei Philippines. My sorrow over this misunderstanding so preyed on my mind that many other things were adversely affected. I tried to overcome this suffering by any means, day by day. The teachings of Meishusama and many friends cheered me up, but my suffering returned to me again and again. Sometimes I blamed myself or found fault with my conduct, and in my mind, I even blamed the other person. My rational mind had to control my runaway emotions then.

    After suffering for seven months, I finally realized that I didn't have to try to get over purifications, and that I didn't have to allow myself to be emotionally carried away by them. I decided to receive all purifications as they are because, naturally, purifications are a result of my own spiritual clouding. It was then that the current of energy that had stagnated around me for such a long time changed dramatically, and I experienced the process of negative incidents around me turning into positive factors instantaneously. I think Meishusama gave me these purifications to present me with this great answer. Now I am ready to receive purifications any time. Last year was the longest period of suffering in my life, but it was a very important experience for my spiritual growth. Now, I appreciate this experience—it is precious to me—and I will never forget it.

    Let me now tell you about my perspective on the Philippines. Jyorei is easily accepted by Filipinos. I think this is due to their piety and the high purity of their soul. Whenever I happen to observe their acts of piety, I feel like reviewing my own conduct.

    Filipinos have their own idea about happiness. Most of the Filipino members of Shumei Philippines tell me their ideal world is where their family leads a happy life. Naturally, the main subject of Shumei Philippines’ activities is their family, and it sometimes involves their community. Shumei Philippines has been getting bigger as a family year after year.

    I see that the Filipino people are very loving and tolerant of the actions of one another. I often see people throwing away garbage in public spaces—such as streets, or driving a car with a large quantity of exhaust. No one reproaches these actions. The causes are obviously economic and political. However, I think it will be necessary to focus in the future on disseminating Meishusama's teachings on the appreciation of art and beauty in order to heighten the Filipino awareness of these problems and stimulate remedial action.

    My belief is that even though individual power is very tiny, if we value encounters with persons and associate with any person with "makoto" [sincerity and truth], the accumulated "makoto" will be a great power. Then, the thought of praying for the happiness of others and world peace will spread in the world through our spiritual cords. So, I think it is very important now to unite people who have the same thoughts. This is the importance of interfaith activity, and it is why I would like to promote interfaith activities in the Philippines. I also think that Shumei Philippines exists in the Philippines as a base to launch that kind of thought to other nations. It is my dream that Shumei Philippines will lead all developing nations, and nations in Southeast Asia and Oceania, as a first form of heaven on earth.

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