I knew that our zoom meeting and conversation with Fr. Franco would be good. He is a Catholic priest who runs the interfaith retreat and study century known as Shinmeizan, in Kumamoto prefecture. But it was actually fantastic! I am sure listeners will love it.
Fr. Franco has been doing interfaith work in Japan for forty years. He is learned and kind, and a great communicator (in English, as well as his excellent Japanese and his native Italian), but he has lived this work. We are not just hearing about theoretical ideas when we listen to him talk. We are hearing about things that come not from the mind, but from the heart, and which exemplify the work of God in the world, for if , as Evagrius says, our God comes from our minds, it is surely not God.
I have been to the Shinmeizan (真命山 “Truth Commanding/Commanded Mountain” ) myself, and experienced the quiet and connectedness to nature there, which is the basis of interfaith spirituality cultivated and explored there. The photos that I have included here will tell something of the story, and certainly enhance listerners’ appreciation of what Fr. Franco says about this theme. I myslef live deep in the countryside of Japan, well know that nature is deeply connected to Japanese religious sensibilitites. This evidenced by Shinto shrines which not only attempt to incorportate nature, but seem to emerge from the natural environment itself. The liminal aspects of nature, where one is no longer part of the normal world but in the presence of the holy (that which is set apart, as the biblical Hebrew term indicates) is evidenced in films such as Miyazaki’s animes—Hidden Away , and My Neighbor Tottoro, and in basically any Shinto shrine one visits, many of which aren’t officially part of the Shinto priest and temple networks, but constructed by locals as they see fit.
One of the photos I have put into the photo gallery is of the sign out from of the main chapel, for those who do not read Japanese (or read it well enough), deserves comment. The sign says something like, and pardon my faulty translation:
“Shinmeizan, multireligious dialog, and spiritual interaction center. Established in 1984. While deeping one’s own faith, and while respecting (that of) the other, while hand in hand, praying for and working for peace for the world.”
What strikes me about this sign is the way it points to the pratical nature of what happens at the center, its rootedness in prayer, done amids and as part of the quietude of nature, but which can and should radiate out into the world. Truly beautiful sentiments, and the picture of the sign, taken in the Autumn when leaves are turning and the chapel was decorated, is something I find very moving. I am sure listeners will agree.
The stone carving of the Mother of God done in Bhodisattva style, and evoking (it seems to me at least) the Buddhist Bhodisattva of Compassion, Kanon/Guanyin) is another powerful statement of the work and effectiveness of the center over the years. I will let the rest (and the rest and quiet they engeder) of the images speak for themselves.
The photo gallery
Fr. Franco's thoughts on Zazen and Liturgical Adoration
The Podcast
Thank you for listening, and for your support.
Dr. Todd
The photos bring it to life!