Pilgrimage to Banzai Cliff continues
Eleven years after the memorial monument at Banzai Cliff was built by the Shikou Gakuen Mission, the annual pilgrimage by Japanese whose relatives died during World War II continues.
The memorial held Saturday was celebrated with members of the Mission and their families in a ceremony officiated by Rev. Teruhiko Kawakami, president of the Mission. This time, however, it was the reverend’s son, Tomomitsu, who officiated the ceremony. The older Kawakami was reportedly sick and could not travel.
A religious organization, the Mission was established on Aug. 15, 1945 when its leader “heard” God’s voice saying, “Behold the burning and falling earth into your bosom and return her to its proper orbit and locations which followed with numerous miracles.”
According to the Mission, the Being who created this religious organization is the same great God who gave birth to Buddha 2,500 years ago and to Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago. “We call this great Being, “Father of our Great God.”
More than 10,000 people have been cured of their illnesses and achieved inner peace and tranquillity of soul by relying on the true message and healing powers of the “Father of our Great God,” the group claimed.
