Yesterday afternoon I attended the formal service for Ryusho Kansho Jeffus Shonin. I say “the formal service” because his sangha, the people who practiced with him via Zoom, held their own service today. I think Ryushho would have been impressed by the showing at the “formal service” but he would have been very happy with his sangha’s tribute.
My wife and I both attended the formal service, which was held at 4 pm our time. Whoever decided the time certainly didn’t take Ryusho’s sangha into consideration. The majority are in England and Europe, putting the service at midnight or 1 am.
It was nice to see the American Nichiren Shu priests take part – Ryuoh Faulkconer, Kanjin Cederman, Shinkyo Warner, Myokei Caine-Barrett, Ryuei McCormick and Shoda Kanai. Several shami attended along with at least one foreign priest, Ervinna Myoufu from Jakarta.
The number of attendees fluctuated between 46 and 50, including Ryusho’s brother, Tim, and his niece, Beth. We even had an unwanted Zoom-bomber interrupt the service.
But the real people who missed Ryusho showed up Sunday morning to pay tribute to their sensei. Led by Davie Endo Byden-Oakes, the sangha members from the United States, England, Portugal, France and Czech Republic held a fitting memorial service. Each component of the service was divided among the attendess, just as Ryusho had divided the services he held.