Nenpou Shinkyou’s memorial ceremony honors WWII dead

  The Nenpou Shinkyou Buddhist Denomination from Japan once again made its annual pilgrimage to Saipan and held a memorial ceremony honoring all those who perished during World War II.

Founded by Reigen Ogura, Nenpou Shinkyou aims to bring the teachings of Goseikun or the “True Way” into the lives of its people to create a better world-one that is filled with joy each day-for everyone.

The group has about a million of believers in their 88 temples throughout Japan, said Aya Matsumoto of Pacific Eagle Enterprises.

This year marks Nenpou Shinkyou’s 6th memorial ceremony. Some 60 members of the group’s Hokuriku District offered flowers and paper cranes as they sang and recited prayers by the Japanese Peace Memorial in Marpi yesterday morning. Another similar service followed at Banzai Cliff before noon.

Led by high priest Ryoyu Okeya, the group arrived early Saturday morning and immediately took part in a cleanup around Marpi in preparation for the ceremony.

JTB and Pacific Eagle Enterprises served as ground handler and coordinator for Nenpou Shinkyou’s visit.

Okeya said in his remarks that while the Northern Mariana Islands is considered a “paradise” for its natural beauty, it was also the setting of an “appalling” and “horrible” scene during the tragic war that claimed 55,000 lives of soldiers and civilians.

He expressed his condolences to those who died in the war and said that Nenpou Shinkyou built at Banzai Cliff a monument signifying two hands in prayer, which means wishing for “permanent peace.”

Okeya said their group is optimistic that all people would promote world peace and that they would pray that the good relationship between the CNMI and Nenpou Shinkyou will continue.

Participating in the ceremony were Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, his legal counsel Teresa Kim, Mayor Donald G. Flores, managing director Perry Tenorio of the Marianas Visitors Authority, Japan Consul Tsutomu Higuchi, and MVA’s Hiroko Tenorio.

Inos said it was a great honor to join the group in their ceremony and that Saipan takes pride in serving as a home for their first monument built outside of Japan.

“We’re very much honored that you have continued this tradition of memorial service in our island,” he said. “Today, we’re sincerely grateful for the friendship and peaceful ties we enjoy with Japan. Much of our heritage and cultural upbringing are of Japanese influence. Together, we have rebuilt our once war-torn societies.”

At the event, Flores presented Resolution No. 12-01 which expressed appreciation to Nenpou Shinkyou Buddhist Denomination for its commitment to the Commonwealth’s tourism industry and for the group’s untiring efforts in spreading world peace.

The group is scheduled to fly back to Japan today.