For various decades, every year on Remembrance Day, Seicho-No-Ie Vancouver Centre lays wreath on the cenotaph of Japanese Canadian veterans at Stanley Park. Therefore, tomorrow in the cold morning, we, members of SNI, will be there as usual. Normally who lays the wreath on the cenotaph representing Seicho-No-Ie is Tom. But, exceptionally in this year, he cannot make it. He is on his way to Japan, and I will have the privilege to do it in the formal ceremony.
Life has many mysteries which we cannot explain or understand. And we all need to find meaning in our lives. And Remembrance Day this year has a special meaning for me, because in 2014 I am bringing the wreath to the Japanese Canadian veterans representing SNI, and also this year I became Canadian citizen! I believe that there is a special reason for me to come to Canada and become Canadian, and I will do my best to make my contribution for the betterment of this great country.
"Be grateful to the blessings from your country. (...) Be grateful to those who serve you." (Nectarean Shower of Holy Doctrines, pp. 3-4): this is what we learn at SNI. If we can enjoy this beautiful and united country, Canada, it is due to the lives of many soldiers who sacrifice themselves for something beyond their own interests. This is unselfish love.
We do not want more wars. We hope that we live in peace, and all starts with each one of us. If we see the goodness of every human being, no matter his or her race, religion, sexual orientation, opinions, then we build harmony in this world. If we pray, our prayers will fill up the universe, and the feelings of hatred will disappear. When we change, the world changes. Let us pray for the souls of the many soldiers whose noble lives will be among us tomorrow, for the world peace avoiding that other lives be lost, and for each one of us to see only love, beauty and goodness in every single person who we meet in our daily life.
Thank you very much, Canadian veterans!
Sachiko
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