Meeting Sensei

Its the end of the day and we`ve just come back from seeing Sensei. We are sorting out the amazing pile of presents (we pooled our 5 lots) so thank you very very much to all the members who gave us presents to take tomorrow. We are going to Ibaraki and the 5 of us are going to the same exchange meeting.

The day started with a visit to Soka University. We had a warm, sincere and vibrant welcome from the young students

And we went into this huge foyer of an auditorium to have our photos taken along with statues of Victor Hugo and Leo Tolstoy.........here`s Stephanie and Jim in front of it

Seeing Sensei.....Stephanie and Jim went off early to rehearse going up on stage to receive a huge framed photo of Taplow Court on behalf of the UK (one of 5 given to different countries). The meeting started with junior school boys and girls singing delightfully, absolutely gorgeous. And then they were joined by the mens division and they sang together. The meeting was a joint meeting of the mens division general meeting and the HQ leaders. It was also attended by representative arts division famous in their fields. The brass band played two numbers. The Youth Division report from Cambodia was very impressive, where members have only appeared in the last 10 years.

Sensei was very excited, in good health and happy seeing members from all over the world to welcome the people on the spring course. He was vibrant and on form. It seemed familiar because of the videos we have been showing in the UK.

There was far too much to put up on the blog so we can share some impressions....

It was a very very significant meeting. He was really stressing the human revolution of the leaders. Dont become arrogant or big headed as leaders. It was as if he was saying come on Europe leaders stand up (that does include in the UK!). Do your human revolution or the members will suffer. The leaders have to win for the members not the other way round.

We all really felt how much Sensei treasures and respects the members. He wants to make sure the spirit carries on pure. “Don't be swayed, stand up”. And for the MD treat the YM like young brothers and when the men stand up everyone feels different. Its the young people that really matter, to really nurture. The members must always come first. We really felt Sensei trusts us. He was just so happy to have all those people from the world there. He was really clear to try to secure the final touches. We cannot be complacent. He made reference several times to the UK and Europe. We all felt it was direct personal guidance.

We chanted with Sensei at the end of the meeting.

When we came out of the meeting the 5 pictures that had been given to countries were hanging up on the walls for people to see up close. And yet again Sensei showed his great thoughtfulness. The 250 representatives were given a box of sushi, a banana, and bottle of water and a grapefruit off the butsudan

See you tomorrow!