Abstract

"Dialogues with my Master": The representative of "Japan Kakekomidera", Gen Sumisei, who has helped over 50,000 people in need from his base in Kabukicho, Shinjuku, looks back on his discipleship dialogues with the great Ajari Sakai Yuya (passed away on September 23, 2013) who twice completed a thousand-day mountain pilgrimage. The author, who has not spoken much about the conversations and dialogues he had with his master, introduces anecdotes with his mentor, saying, "Now is the time I want to pass on the words left to me by Ajari-san" in response to the harsh realities of today's society where troubles and events that belittle one's own and others' lives are relentless.

Author’s Information

Hidemori Gen
Hidemori Gen was born in 1956 as a Korean in Japan in Nishinari, Osaka. He grew up moving from one of his father's mistresses' homes to another. He lived in the underworld of society, involved in black market financing and the like, until he met Yuai Sakai, a Dai-Ajari of the Tendai sect, and took his vows in 1990. In 2000, he was diagnosed as a carrier of the leukemia virus, which led him to make a 180-degree turn in his life and decide to live for the sake of others. He established the Shinjuku Kakekomidera in 2002 and since then, has been providing relief for the troubles of more than 20,000 people. However, Sakai passed away before Gen could report his 13-year commitment to him.