To all our Soto Zen friends around the world
Dear Sir, Madam

March 27^th, 2012

We would like to thank you and convey our profoundest gratitude for all the first year memorial services of "The Great East Japan Earthquake" and all the prayers for the revival of the region to be a fast as possible.

March 11^th, 2011: 14:46
For many years to come, what happened at that instant will not be forgotten. On that fateful day, the earth shook violently; huge waves from the sea pounded the land and in one instant changed the way we lived.

Thanks to concerted help from around the world the Sotoshu is working to restore the devastated areas and help the disaster victims.
It will be hard to bring those affected areas back to the level they were before the terrible earthquakes and tsunamis, and we might need to seek new ways to accomplish this. But we must as before strive to meet all challenges head on, transmit the teachings and supporting all beings.
I would like to thank you again for your support and help. I am sure that your prayers and the sound of the bells tolling have been reaching and comforting all the people affected by the great east Japan earthquake.

Sincerely,
President of Sotoshu

Koichi Sasaki