Today is March 11, the day the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred. Many precious lives were lost. At the time of the disaster, I envisioned that without the recovery of Tohoku there would be no future for Japan, and following my innermost wish to “devote my life to here,” I visited the disasterstricken areas throughout Tohoku. Now, in Yamamoto Town in Miyagi Prefecture, one of the affected areas, we have built Yui-Kobo in front of the new Yamashita Station and have made it a base for supporting recovery. Master Idaki Shin once told me that supporting activity is something to continue as long as one is breathing, so the same as our support activities in Ethiopia, I went to Tohoku, resolved to continue until the end of my life.

This year, we held a concert by Master Idaki Shin in Mitaka. This year’s moment of silence showed me “movement.” In the concert, through the message that fully accepted and expressed the feelings of everyone and through the performance that embodied that message exactly, I clearly sensed and saw a light kindled within myself. I felt the presence of my late mother and many souls and spirits who were doing their utmost to support that light so that it would not be extinguished. By living in this state, I could experience that no matter what happens, I can live as a human being helping others and creating the future, and this was the greatest joy and blessing. I also felt relief and delight at the sight in which the spirits and souls that had heard Master Idaki Shin’s sound would never forget it. Within myself was the certainty that it is impossible to forget this sound that embraces everything. If human beings have forgotten it, I wonder why we have come to forget the most essential sound of life in this way, yet since that is reality, I felt reassured today in confirming that it is indeed a sound that cannot be forgotten. When I saw the scene in which spirits and souls that had become light were wholeheartedly supporting and encouraging us, my heart overflowed with gratitude. I felt that we who are alive are being asked how we live and what we do. I resolved in my heart to live according to the workings of life as a human being and to create a world in which lives are no longer sacrificed. Each day I see news of black smoke rising and feel unbearable sadness, wondering why such experiences must occur, yet thinking of those who live there, I devote myself to praying for their safety. Life is connected, so I hope that we who live in Japan live shining brightly and pray that even a small amount of gentle energy may reach them, while continuing to consider what we can do and to put it into action every day.

Today again, we listened to an incomparably beautiful and deeply moving performance. There is no experience in life that fills the heart so completely. With deep gratitude for the blessing of having such an experience, I feel full of the desire to work in ways that are of service to people and to society. Thank you very much.