Shumei America’s National Center

The administrative headquarters of all Shumei Centers in North America, opened in 1992 in Pasadena, California. Since then, much has changed within Shumei America. Our growth throughout North America and our influence beyond has been slow, occasionally painful, but ever constant, ever hopeful, and always rewarding. Since our Center’s inauguration, Shumei’s approach to establishing a vital presence in North America has evolved and its evolution is reflected in the many activities that began here in Pasadena. Shumei America vigorously supports the activities of Shumei Centers both inside and outside of North America. We are particularly close to our newer Centers in the Philippines, Brazil, and with our Centers in Europe.

Looking ahead, our approach to advancing Meishusama’s vision is still evolving to satisfy the needs of our changing times, and the diverse backgrounds and cultures from which our members come. Yet, it is our firm belief that no matter what changes we undergo we will always remain true to Meishusama’s dream of a joyful world free of strife and pain.

More than an administrative headquarters, the National Center also is a main spiritual Center for Shumei members in North America. Sampais are held daily and the Center provides counseling and spiritual guidance for members and friends.

Our National Center plays host to Shumei members from around the world who visit Southern California and is the site for numerous meetings and conferences.

The National Center and the Arts
The National Center is home to the Shumei Arts Council of America, which sponsors art exhibitions, concerts, and lectures throughout the year. We are particularly pleased with our Children’s Concert Series, in which grade school children are given the opportunity to experience the finest musical talent in a concert setting. Please visit the Arts Council’s website at www.shumeiarts.org for more information.

Taiko classes at the National Center, to instruct young people in the musical art form of drumming, take place weekly. These classes are held under the patronage of the Shumei America Taiko Group. The young people who participate in them acquire the important skills of communication, cooperation, self–discipline, creative thinking and, most importantly, the ability to make fine music.

The National Center’s Media Efforts
One of the major functions of our Center is to provide services and information to other Centers, Shumei members, and the public. In keeping with this responsibility, the National Center serves as the nucleus for the creation and worldwide distribution of most English language publications and media concerning Shumei.
Our Center is the home of The Shumei America Media Group. The mission of this Group is to bring Meishusama’s teachings concerning Jyorei, the arts, and Natural Agriculture to the public in an accessible and meaningful manner. The Media Group is responsible for all publications, audio/visual presentations and video productions, and the websites produced by Shumei America. The Media Group is made up of five departments: Publications, Websites, Education, the Youth Media Group, and Public Relations.

Recently, a National Media Council was created to assist and guide Shumei America with its media productions. The Council is divided into an Executive Council and a larger General Council. The Executive Council approves all media projects. The General Council is made up of individuals with expertise in particular forms of media.

A Good Neighbor
In an effort to be a good neighbor in the Pasadena and greater Los Angeles areas, our National Center opens its facilities to other organizations that promote the betterment of our community.

In keeping with this goal, Open Houses are held at the National Center to encourage a broader understanding of Shumei and its ideals among members of our local community.

Over the past few years, Interfaith thanksgiving celebrations have taken place at the Center. These events, sponsored in part by Shumei America, brought members of various religious and spiritual organizations together at our National Center to celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving.

The Facilities

		The National Center’s complex is composed of two buildings, the 8,479-square-foot Shumei Hall and an 11,159-square-foot, two-story administration building. Beneath the complex is a subterranean parking space. The exterior surface of the Hall is clad in light-colored glass fiber, reinforced concrete panels and its roof, which sweeps up to a height of 45 feet, is made of a Kynar-coated metal panel system with standing seams.
Exterior of Shumei Hall viewed from Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena.
		The Administration Building houses offices, a large social room with an adjacent professional-quality kitchen, conference rooms, and a children’s playroom. Children form an important part of the Center’s special ambiance. The Administration Building’s exterior surface is coated with stucco. Both the Hall and administrative building enclose a small garden and a large courtyard that function as transitional spaces from the outside world to a serene interior.
The National Center’s courtyard, facing the entrance of the administration building, as seen shortly after the complex was finished in 1992.

		Inside Shumei Hall, Pasadena The centerpiece of the National Center’s complex, Shumei Hall is a bright and airy space that is both comfortable and intimate. The Hall's serene character is perfectly in keeping with Shumei’s ideas concerning beauty and spirituality. It is a splendid place to either participate in Shumei’s spiritual practices or quietly meditate. The focal point of the Hall is the Sacred Scroll of Light, which is mounted in a screened alcove above the stage. The Scroll is a silk-screened print of three calligraphic Chinese characters painted by Meishusama. The meaning of the text is “Supreme, Radiant Light.” To the right of the Scroll is a formal portrait of Meishusama and to the left is a ceramic vase made by the acclaimed potter, Shiro Tsujimura. The vase is used to hold floral arrangements.
A wave-like ceiling sweeps over the seating area of Shumei Hall, Pasadena.

To the side of one elevated wing of the Hall stands a handmade Petrof grand piano, on the opposite wing a Taiko drum crafted by the famed drum atelier Asano. The placement of these two percussion instruments, each examples of excellent craftsmanship in the eastern and the western traditions, embody the harmony of diverse cultural expressions that is both Shumei's goal and the American experience at its best. Six stained glass windows flanking the sides of the Hall lend this contemporary structure color and warmth.

Circular in design, the Hall has curvilinear ancillary areas and a ceiling that sweeps upward in billowing waves to a height of 45 feet. The Hall has permanent seating for 308 with five seating areas to accommodate people with special needs. The elevated wings on either side of the Hall can comfortably accommodate an additional 200 people with moveable seating. Shumei Hall, Pasadena, is equipped with an audio system and room for sound reinforcement and recording.