May 2010

Young Members Raise Funds for UNICEF during Japan's Golden Week

Before Rissho Kosei-kai's annual Youth Day, observed this year on May 16, young members throughout Japan took the opportunity of the national weeklong holiday called Golden Week, from April 29 to May 5, to raise funds for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). On Youth Day young members were encouraged to engage in bodhisattva practice by participating in various activities throughout Japan for the betterment of society and the building of world peace.

On May 1-2, some 110 participants, mainly from the Youth Group of the Teradomari Dharma Center, in Niigata Prefecture, held a fundraising campaign at five places, including a shrine, within the center's dissemination area. They displayed panels of photographs illustrating the dire living conditions of children around the world and explained the importance of support for children living in poverty.

Dharma Centers also appealed to visitors at tourist attractions, railway stations, and shopping malls in their dissemination areas for donations to UNICEF.

Many Dharma Centers across the country organized peace activities in their areas, including fundraising campaigns and charity bazaars for UNICEF, in their own grounds or public places. Before the campaign they presented programs informing members about UNICEF's peace activities.

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