From Shumei Magazine, VOL. 241  SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2002

The Sao Paulo Center's Grand Opening

Yasu Hirakawa

Yasu Hirakawa is the Center Head of Shumei’s new Sao Paulo Center.

In February of 2000, when my plane came to a landing in Sao Paulo, I was full of expectation and anxiety. Although I had studied Portuguese a little, I could not feel very confident in my ability to speak it. As a representative of Shinji Shumeikai from Japan, I had been dispatched to Brazil, a major country on the South American continent. Even though Brazil is the economic leader among South American countries, they have lots of poverty and crime in the city of Sao Paulo. Needless to say, since my arrival it is mainly my Ohikari and the holy teachings of Meishusama that have given me the support I need in such a troubled city amidst its many diverse ethnicities and faiths.

            It is said that the number of immigrants from Brazil to Japan has increased a great deal since 1980 and that 250,000 Brazilians are in Japan now. Most of their ancestors were Japanese, so their faces and overall appearance look Japanese. Their language and environment, however, are completely different from the Japanese. Among them, some have encountered Shumei and come to understand the wonderful nature of Meishusama’s Jyorei. However, it is not easy for them to understand the Shumei philosophy as the native Japanese do, and to overcome the differences in culture and language. With the cooperation of Brazilian members, Shumei has made a beginning in translating Meishusama's teachings and guidebook into Portuguese. Since these members hold in common a dream of returning to their family or relatives in their homeland in the future, it is an event of key importance to them that Shumei headquarters has officially set up a Center to support them in Brazil.

            In June of 1998, Eugene Sensei visited Brazil and became familiar with Sao Paulo for the first time. With him were Japanese Shumei members who have been assisting the Brazilian members living in Japan. The warm welcome they received from members who had returned to Brazil and the passion of these people to have their own Shumei Center made Eugene Sensei promise to help Shumei begin Jyorei activities in Brazil. Ms Suka Kawabata, one of the Brazilian members living in Brazil, offered to enshrine a Scroll of Light and the first enshrinement ceremony was performed at the small flat of the Kawabata family on March 23, 1999, under the leadership of Eugene Sensei. And so it came about that in February of 2000, I was sent to Brazil as a representative of Shumei.

            After I arrived in Sao Paulo, my mission at first was not to pursue Jyorei activities, but to learn the language and absorb the Brazilian culture and lifestyle. This did not mean just learning with my mind, but feeling with the whole of my body. It was not easy to learn a new way of thinking that totally differs from the Japanese way. Sometimes I have opportunities to talk with people who have come to Brazil from other countries and they seem to be divided into two groups: the ones that learn to like Brazil, and the ones that do not.

            While I was getting accustomed to my new life in Brazil, I heard the sad news that Ms Suka Kawabata, the only person with an enshrined Scroll of Light in Brazil, had suddenly collapsed with a stroke. She was taken to the hospital and spent several days of complete rest in an Intensive Care room. During this period, many members, not only in Brazil, but in Japan and the U.S., prayed for her recovery. Brazilian members continually visited her and gave her Jyorei in the hospital. Having faced the possibility of losing her life, she gradually got well enough to return home and finally complete her recuperation. Ms Kawabata is the oldest, at age 73, among the Brazilian members here, and has had a most fervent wish to establish a new Center in Sao Paulo. Her sudden problem made me change my mind: "We have to set up a new Center where everyone can gather together, as soon as possible!"

            In December of 2001, I reentered Brazil after I finished changing from a student visa to a religious (spiritual) visa. I considered this as a sign from Meishusama that my role in life was spiritually changing from student to spiritual emissary. In March of 2002, after the yearly carnival, we finally found a place for our new Shumei Center. During the summer vacation, which lasts from Christmas Day until early March, the mood of a long vacation enveloped the whole city, and things did not go smoothly. But at last, we succeeded  and, under Eugene Sensei's direction, the date for the dedication ceremony was set for September 15, 2002. About half a year remained until the big day. Sending a prayer to Meishusama, I started to prepare for the ceremony. Since it would be meaningless to have a wonderful place as a Center without people to gather and attend the service there, I knew that I had to advance Jyorei activities at once.

            Six months passed in a flash. Then came dedication day and the deeply touching experience of the dedication ceremony for the Scroll of Light in Sao Paulo. In attendance were Eugene Sensei and his wife, Jane, from the U.S. and nine members from Japan, joining in a prayer with Kaicho-Sensei in Japan as well as many Shumei members throughout the world. Forty people came to the new Center to celebrate the occasion.

            This event marks the beginning of Shumei Brazil. I pray that Meishusama's Light from the East will now spread to every corner of the world, from South America as well, that it will help construct Heaven on Earth, and contribute to world peace. Please join us in praying to make this come true.

Sensei Eugene Imai encourages members of the Sao Paulo Center
to study a new book of Meishusama's teachings.

Sensei Eugene Imai (second from right) meets with Shumei members from
Sao Paulo and Japan to discuss how both groups can work together for
the future development the Sao Paulo Center.

Members and friends of the new Sao Paulo Center.