Dear Spiritual Brothers and Sisters,

Thank you very much. A devastating 8.9 earthquake struck the Tohoku
District of Japan on March 11, 2011 resulting in a yet-to-be-confirmed
number of casualties. We extend our sincere prayer to them and give our
deep condolences and sympathy to those who perished because of this
disaster. On March 13, 2011, the Seicho-No-Ie Southern California
Missionary Area Council launched a fundraising drive for the survivors
and this drive will continue through until the end of June. I would like
to ask your sincere help to donate to the people who are suffering in Japan.

International Headquarters keeps us informed of the current situation
of each Missionary Center in Japan on their website and makes every
effort to help each Missionary Area. Affected missionary areas are currently
busy  inquiring after their members. All we can do is to pray for the victims
of this earthquake and send peaceful vibrations to them. In Seicho-No-Ie
U.S. Missionary Headquarters and the Southern California Missionary Area
we read the Holy Sutra together at 11 a.m. every day. If you have time,
please read the Holy Sutra together with us and pray for them.
If you would like to pray at home, please use the following short prayer
before you begin the reading of the Holy Sutra:

“We pray for the peaceful repose of the spirits of those who passed away
 in the Tohoku Earthquake.  My mind is one with God’s infinite love and 
the four immeasurable minds of the Buddha, and I pray that the suffering 
of the disaster victims will be removed, that ease and comfort be brought to 
them, and that recovery and restoration will proceed in Grand Harmony
 with Nature.”

Please show your sincerity and help those who are victims of the earthquake in Japan. Thank you very much.

- Rev. Mario Kawakami
Chief, Southern California Missionary Area