The tragic events on October 7th, 2023 and every day afterward have wreaked severe trauma and pain on both the Palestinian and Israeli communities.
The heart of Mahayana Buddhism says that the key to achieving wisdom and unifying with the Great Spirit lies with dissolving the barrier between self and others. To live realizing there is no difference between our pain and others’ pain is the foundation for spreading dharma. Then, the wish to take action to relieve others’ suffering naturally follows.
Taking action to help heal suffering
Flame of Hope Tao Shiatsu practitioners in Israel heeded that call.
A few days after contacting the Japanese embassy in Israel and offering to give shiatsu treatment to refugees, came the opportunity to do so in the city of Netanya. The city is home to the Science, Space and Culture Center, established thanks to the funding of Mr. Rikihiro Madarame, a Japanese businessman who is known for saying: “All humans are equal when they look up to the sky.”
On December 5th, 2023 the Center hosted a “Japan Culture Day,” particularly for Israeli refugees who had to leave their homes in the southern part of Israel due to the constant bombing from Gaza strip; they had been forced to stay in hotels in the city of Netanya.
The Japanese Cultural Day included lectures about Japan, Anime and Manga, calligraphy workshops, and Japanese food stands. The event was organized with the support of the Japanese embassy. Event organizers thought it would be a good idea to integrate and offer Shiatsu treatments, and Flame of Hope practitioners came in a big way…!
Fifteen to twenty-five minute Sangha Shiatsu Treatments were offered both on the ground on a mattress and on a chair. Each and everyone of those who received treatment were absolutely and deeply grateful afterwards. The music of Aminadabu, the official Flame of Hope band, played in the background.
Outside the treatment room could be heard the happy noises of the event participants, busy with all sorts of activities. Inside the room was an oasis of tranquility, letting go and transference to the light. In the last few months, charity Tao Shiatsu has been given on a weekly basis to refugees from the south who are living temporarily in schools and colleges.
A big thank you goes out to the cooperation and support of the Japanese embassy. Arigato Gozaimasu! We hope for more collaborations in the future.
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