ShinJin-Core Group Program: 2007

Shin Jin core group meeting (Dec.9, 2007)

On December 9, 2007 (Sunday) the ShinJin core group held its regular monthly meeting in conjunction with the Mandala-writing workshop and membership meeting at the St. Joseph's College in Quezon City.

Present were: 1) Mr. Mario "Toots" ; 2) Ms. Norma C. ; 3) Mr. Orlan D.; 4) Ms. Kit P. ; 5) Ms. Rio L.; 6) Ms. Queen F.

They joined the Mandala-writing session with the recruits for Byakko Phils satellite membership later in the afternoon.

This was followed by a Divinity In session led by Ms. Norma C.

ShinJin core group meeting (Nov. 11, 2007)

On November 11, 2007 (Sunday) the Byakko ShinJin Manila core group held its monthly meeting prior to the regular workshop. This time at a new venue, the meeting was conducted at the St. Joseph College in Quezon City, Manila (run by the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception) through the kindness of Sr. Vida Cordero, SFIC.

Those present were: 1) Mr. Mario "Toots" Fungo; 2) Ms. Norma Correa; 3) Orlan de Guzman, Jr.; 4) Queen Frilles; 5) Kit Paclibar; 6) Rio Lagadia; 7) Arvin Fuelles; 8) Vianel Fungo

In the afternoon, while Mr. Toots conducted the Divinity In workshop session with regular participants, the ShinJins had a special simultaneous and separate session. They were given instructions on refinement, intensive practice, and later on, transmission/empowerment of the Kokyuho In conducted by Ms. Norma Correa (the first Filipina Nana Maru member of Byakko).

Towards the end, the ShinJin members and workshop participants gathered together for joint Divinity-In prayers.

ShinJin Meeting (Oct.7, 2007)

On Oct. 7, 2007 the ShinJin Manila core group had its meeting in the morning before the regular monthly workshop.

We discussed about organizational matters and plans about the regular workshops.

Present were:

1. Mr. Toots F.

2. Norma C.

3. Orlan D.

4. Queen F.

5. Rio L.

6. Babes B.

7. May Ann F.

8. Kit P.

Later on, after the workshop the organization was able to collect donations amounting to: P1,582.50

Infinite Blessings Be!

Tomoko & Byakko Phils perform Divinity In at Peace Day 2007 Manila

Sacred Songs of Peace: An Interfaith Celebration of the International Day of Peace 2007

September 21st
Environmental Studies Institute
Miriam College, Quezon City
Philippines

As the conference hall started to be filled with the flags of the different religious symbols and display banners from different faiths, the presentation area also started to be filled with musical instruments. On one side: a drum set, electric guitars and amplifiers were positioned; on the other side—gongs, drums and bamboos were laid on the floor. Little by little, group by group, people started to fill the chairs. As the early birds took their seats, videos on the United Religions Initiative (URI) were shown.

More and more colors filled the hall. They were colors of diversity. Dressed in street clothes, school uniforms, habits, hijabs, orange and white robes, kimonos, ethnic beads, batik, turbans and what not— they were representatives, members, peace advocates, religious and lay, teachers, and a big number of youths and students coming from different faith groups, schools, NGO’s, and spiritual organizations who came to join The Peacemakers’ Circle Foundation, Inc. (PCFI) and the interfaith community in celebrating the International Day of Peace 2007 with “SACRED SONGS OF PEACE” on September 21, 2007 at the Miriam College Environmental Studies Institute.

Nearly 200 people attended the evening’s musical celebration which wove a symphony of prayers, meditation, chanting, songs and dances from various spiritual traditions. Following the Welcome Remarks by URI SEAsia-Pacific regional coordinator & PCFI OIC, Dr. Shakun Vaswani; meditation & silencing was led by Mr. John Dowling of Brahma Kumaris. This was followed by a song number from a special celebrity guest: model/actress-singer/environmentalist Ms. Chinchin Gutierrez (who recently launched an album of interfaith songs). Writer/dancer/artist-teacher Ms. Maria Abulencia, with the cultural workshop group, Hibla, rendered a spontaneous dance peace ritual. Imam Akmad Wahab of Filipino Muslim Youth Council for Peace & Development offered a Qur’anic chanting prayer and an Islamic song, while the Anada Marga Yoga Society presented a mantra song. This was followed by lively bhajan chanting and dancing by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON/Hare Krishna). Baba Surinder Singh Ragi of Guru Nanak Mission (Sikh) offered a short prayer-chant.

Another lively presentation was rendered by the Salesian Youth Movement of Don Bosco School (Catholic) who brought their whole band with full equipment.

A dance number invoking Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom and remover of obstacles was then presented by the Hindu girls in their tradition classical dance costumes, while equally colorful in their kimonos and Japanese outfit were members of Shinji Shumei Kai who also offered chanting and a dance.

Another special group that performed was the Kulay-Wala band --composed of youths from the grassroots community of Brgy. Camarin—representing the GenPeace Youth Network. This was followed by an innovative step dance performed by youths from the Baha’i Faith national center, and a song number from Mr. Bob Guerrero of the Unitarian Universalist community of Manila.

Finally, the Byakko Shinko Kai members were led by Ms. Tomoko Ukai (who was visiting the Philippines from Japan), along with Ms. Norma Correa (Nanamaru) and Orlan de Guzman, Jr. (ShinJin-Manila) to demonstrate the Divinity-In of WareSokuKamiNari,

JinruiSokuKamiNari, and Kokyoho while Ms. Yeyet San Luis read the Divinity-In Declarations and explanations of each movement. The audience also joyfully followed them in the performance of the prayer movement.

The evening was capped with the reading of the UN secretary general’s official message on IDP 2007 and the World Peace Prayer ceremony. This was led by WPPS representative, Mr. Toots Fungo, who distributed to each one in the hall during the ceremony the flag-cards representing the different world nations for which everyone prayed for peace to prevail.

Through Shakun as URI SEAP regional coordinator and PCFI executive director Ms. Marites Africa (who hosted the whole program), the organizers heartfully thank all the participants, performers, volunteers and supporters, and all those who attended the event-- especially representatives from the JPICC-AMRSP (UN-IDP secretariat), Xaverian Missionaries, Miriam Center for Peace Education, Young Moro Professionals Network, Christian Peacemakers Team, Canossa School - Sta. Rosa, Roots of Learning, PeaceTeach, Pax Christi.

Thank you all for the beautiful and powerful stand for unity and peace!

ShinJin meeting (September 9, 2007)

In the morning of September 9, 2007 the ShinJin Manila (now the official name of the core group) held its monthly meeting prior to the regular afternoon Mandala & Divinity In workshop at The Peacemakers' Circle office in Quezon City.

Present were:
1. Toots F.
2. Norma C.
3. Orlan D.
4. Queen F.
5. Kit P.
6. Viannel F.
7. Arvin F.

While waiting for Mr. Toots who came from a prior meeting, the shinjins started off with updates from Norma C. who is our first Filipino Nanamaru member. When Mr. Toots arrived and took over the meeting, more organizational concerns were discussed, especially the participation of Shinjin Manila members to the celebration program of International Day of Peace on September 21, 2007 organized by The Peacemakers' Circle. The group then practiced the Divinity-In in preparation for the said event.

A special meeting was set on September 23 at the Trinoma Mall garden to further discussions and plans for the organization.

ShinJin meeting (July 29, 2007)

On July 29, 2007 (Sunday) another ShinJin-Manila regular meeting was held in the morning and noon time prior to the regular Mandala workshop in the afternoon.

Present were:

1. Toots F.

2. Orlan D.

3. Rio L.

4. Kit P.

5. Arvin F.

6. Queen F.

After about 10 minutes of Tuitsu (meditation on the spiritual whistling and clapping of Goi Sensei), the group practiced the Divinity-Ins, with special emphasis on the Kokyuho In.

At the meeting the official name of the core group was finalized. The group will be called "ShinJin-Manila" as it is to be officially registered later on with Byakko Shinko Kai. The key persons and "officers" were identified.

In the afternoon, after the Mandala workshop proper, two participants were initiated/empowered into the ShinJin Program. They are:

1. May-Ann Frayres

and

2. Mae Coloma

Welcome to the program, May-Ann & Mae!

ShinJin meeting (July 1, 2007)

last July 1, 2007 the ShinJin-Manila core group held its regular monthly meeting.

Those present were:

1. Toots F.

2. Orlan D.

3. Queen F.

4. Rose L.

5. Viannel F.

After practicing the Ins (WareSokuKamiNari, JinruiSokuKamiNari, and the Kokyuho), usual organizational meeting was held during lunch.

In the afternoon, two new participants were initiated and empowered into the ShinJin program. They are:

1. Cecille Ferrer,

and

2. Ramon Escarda

Welcome to the program, Cecille & Ramon!

Shinjin Meeting June 2, 2007

Last June 2, 2007 (Saturday) the ShinJin Pilipinas core group just right after Mr. Toots Fungo and Ms. Norma Correa returned from their trip to Japan to participate in the Symphony of Peace Prayers (held last May 20, 2007).

Present were:
1. Toots Fungo
2. Norma Correa
3. Queen Frilles
4. Orlan de Guzman, Jr., and
5. Lee Collano
(we were later joined in by soon-to-be Shinjins who came earlier for the workshop in the afternoon)

After the usual lunch meeting, Mr. Toots facilitated the Mandala workshop while the rest of the core group practised the Divinity Ins with the resident instructor, Ms. Norma. She sought to refine the Divinity In performance of the Shinjins and giving special attention to the Kokyoho JinRuiSokuKamiNari In.

Connecting Prayers from Phils to the Symphony of Peace Prayers in Japan

On May 20, 2007 the Byakko Shinko Kai (White Light Spiritual Organization), with the support of the World Peace Prayer Society (WPPS) and the Goi Peace Foundation, held its Third Annual Symphony of Peace Prayers at the Fuji Sanctuary (located at the foot of Mt. Fuji) in Japan. The event gathered together more than 10,000 Japanese participants and hundreds of leaders and representatives from different faiths from over 80 countries. From the Philippines, at least two were sent to represent us: Mr. Mario “Toots” Fungo, Peacemakers’ Circle member and satellite representative of Byakko and WPPS; and Ms. Norma Correa, a young member of Byakko Phils. Shin Jin Program.

In conjunction with this event, the Byakko Phils.—in cooperation with The Peacemakers’ Circle—organized a connecting activity at the Peacemakers’ Interfaith Dialogue Center in Quezon City to synchronize and synergize with the major event happening in Japan on the same day. From 10:00 am up to noon time an intimate group of Peacemakers’ friends and members of the Byakko Phils. Shin Jin Program gathered for meditation and prayers for world peace.

Starting off with a viewing of some scenes from the previous celebration of the Symphony of World Peace Prayers, the group was oriented and was given some idea how the event looked like as it would have unfolded in Japan at that very same day and time. This was followed by the World Peace Prayer Ceremony wherein the prayers “May Peace Prevail on Earth”, and its Filipino version “Kapayapaan Nawa sa Daigdig”, were offered as the names of each nation were read by each participant around the circle. At the center of the circle was the globe around which mini-flags of each of the nations were spread. The simple ceremony was concluded with silent meditation and individual prayers.

This was followed by a short sharing of insights and reflections on the experience and how each one felt about the activity. One participant shared that she could actually feel the peaceful energies that connect the group with the energies of the thousands of people in Japan.

The group then proceeded with writing mandalas with affirmations for world peace, followed by performing of the Divinity-In movement prayers for the self and for humanity. The celebration ended with a sharing of simple snacks sponsored by one of the members of Byakko-ShinJin Phils.

Simultaneous with this gathering, other connecting activities in the Philippines were also held at the Center for Migrant Youth in Quezon City (led by Fr. Ben Villote and Bro. Eli Andrade); Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception (SFIC) – Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation Commission (JPICC) -- led by Sr. Vida Cordero, SFIC; Kalinaw URI Cooperation Circle in Cebu (led by Sr. Sandra Clemente, RSCJ); and the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters in Cebu (led by Sr. Stella Parmisano, SSPS).