An article from an issue of SHUMEI Magazine

Eriko Ando ‘signs’ her address to anniversary celebrants in Shumei Hall, Pasadena, California.

Silent Treasures of Smiles and Kindness
Eriko Ando (USA)

Eriko Ando is a young Shumei member from San Francisco.Presently, Eriko attends college in Fremont, California. The following has been edited for SHUMEI Magazine from an address given at the main ceremony of Shumei America's fourteenth anniversary on Saturday, October 21,2006. Eriko, who is hearing impaired, gave her address in sign language while Pauline Lomas, a contributor to this publication, voiced her message.

I have been deaf since I was born. My mother became a member of Shumei in Japan when I was two years old, and since the age of ten I have participated in Hallelujah Camp1 twelve times— once every summer, both as a camper and as a staff member. I first received Jyorei during my childhood, and when I was a student at a junior high school, I wanted to receive an ohikari2 so that I could give Jyorei, but my father opposed that. At school, there was a lot of conflict with my classmates, and I developed a fear of attending school. Therefore, I stayed home a lot and was filled with anxiety. It was a very stressful time. Eventually things changed, and I finally received an ohikari. When I practiced Jyorei for the first time, I was aware of the warmth of my hands, and became convinced that Meishusama was beside me at all times. There was still a lot of stress at school, but I was able to attend Hallelujah Camp, and because I loved that camp so much and always looked forward to being with everyone there, it lifted my spirit. Something inside me seemed to be purified so that I could change and become a better person—someone with a kind heart. I believe that it was the smiles and kindness of the staff who faithfully helped me to heal my wounded emotions. Smiles and kindness are my wonderful treasure.

Thanks to my being deaf I had this chance to go to Hallelujah Camp and meet so many wonderful people there and learn many valuable things from the staff.
    Now, I am happy to be deaf.
    While at high school, I realized that there were no special facilities for disabled people at most universities in Japan.When visiting the USA, I learned that American society is much more agreeably supportive of the disabled, providing services for them so that they can live comfortably. As a result, I felt that I could live here more happily. So, I wanted to go to a college in the USA.

At the Hallelujah Camp, I told Kaicho–Sense that my dream was to go to college and give Jyorei to people around the world who were unhappy. She responded by saying, “You can be a ‘Citizen of the World.’”3 Her words became imprinted in my memory.

My dreams came true. My goal has been accomplished! Two years ago, I studied at a college in Washington State for nine months and later at a college near San Francesco. The college in Fremont has two hundred deaf students and provides services such as sign language interpreters, note takers and real–time captioners for the students. On campus, I often see deaf students talking with other people using American Sign Language. The disabled seem more comfortable in the USA. Their eyes shine with joy and happiness. I hope that some day Japan will learn some lessons from America and provide better services for the disabled so that they can be independent and happy.

2. An ohikari is a miniature sacred emblem worn by all Shumei members when giving Jyorei. It consists of a small parchment bearing artistic calligraphy by Meishusama and worn about the neck.

3. Meishusama, Shumei’s founder, believed that people must look beyond envisioning themselves narrowly as members of a particular ethnic, cultural, religious, or national group and instead consider themselves as ‘Citizens of the World.’