FROM THE CATSKILL MOUNTAIN REGION GUIDE, MARCH 2002

Natural Agriculture, Art, and Spirituality
Shinji Shumeikai Reaches Out to the Catskill Mountains

 

This article first appeared in the March 2002 issue of the Catskill Mountain Region Guide, a magazine that covers the arts, culture, outdoor recreation, and country and farm life for the Catskill Mountain, Hudson Valley and Leatherstocking region of New York State.

 

The Catskill Mountain Foundation, formed in 1998, is dedicated to two main goals. The organization is focused on bringing premier quality arts to its film, performing arts and gallery spaces in the Village of Hunter. It is also committed to developing a model farm that showcases the best practices of organic farming, four-season farming and the use of renewable energy.

              During the summer of 1999, the Catskill Mountain Foundation began to prepare the initial field it intended to develop for its farm. The following winter, Peter Finn, Chairman and co-founder of the Foundation, met with one of the American leaders of a Japanese organization called Shinji Shumeikai. This man became very interested in the plans of the Foundation and offered to send one of Shinji Shumeikai's farm specialists to work with the Foundation in developing its farm plan.

              While 2000 was a very difficult year for the start-up farm operation, 2001 was much more successful. A great deal of planning has gone into preparations for the 2002 growing season and it promises to be a year of significant steps forward for the farm.

              The farm grows a wide variety of crops, from different kinds of farm greens, including five varieties of lettuce, mizuna, tatsoi, kale and chard, to heirloom winter and summer squashes, tomatoes, cucumbers, beets, peppers, beans, peas and herbs. It offers tours to the public and works with the Cornell Cooperative Extension on programs for local schoolchildren in which a portion of the farm is set aside for them to cultivate and care for.

              The progress and success of the farm, including plans for its future expansion, is in large part due to the efforts of Kenji Ban, who has been caring for it since June of 2000. While he started as a member of the farm staff, his knowledge and commitment quickly led to the decision to appoint him to the position of Farm Manager. He has been the steady hand and knowledgeable expert in the work to clear the farm's acreage for tilling, planting the original seeds, nursing them in their growing stages and harvesting them. A small, reserved man with a serene smile, Kenji was born and raised in Japan. He very early on developed an interest in farming and in the practice of natural agriculture. "I became interested in farming, particularly natural farming, in junior high school," he said, "because food is so important to all of us." This interest in natural farming led him to Shinji Shumeikai, the Society of the Supreme Light of Divine Love, a religious and spiritual organization based outside of Kyoto, Japan. Kenji joined the organization in April of 1985, and began his formal studies of farming and agriculture. From there he went on to earn his Bachelor of Science degree in Hydroponic Agriculture from Kochi University in Japan. After completing his spiritual training at the Shinji Shumeikai international headquarters in Shiga, Japan, he went to Kishima Island, in the Seto Inland Sea west of Osaka, to further his studies in the Natural Agriculture philosophy and method. In 1997, he became a specialist of that method, working first in the Kochi prefecture of Japan.

              That same year he was invited to promote the Natural Agriculture philosophy in the United States. He obtained his visa from the Consulate General of the United States in Osaka and was then stationed at the John Lyle Center for Regenerative Studies at California Polytechnic University in Pomona. At the Center, he worked as a liaison among the various branches of environmental studies, explaining the Natural Agriculture philosophy and demonstrating the Natural Agriculture farming technique. In June of 2000 Kenji came to the Catskill Mountain Foundation to share the Natural Agriculture philosophy and to help develop the organic farm.

              There are, of course, a few difficulties in farming in the Catskill Region. The first, according to Kenji, is the short growing season. Long, snowy winters, while ideal for the region's winter sports enthusiasts, are less than ideal for its farmers. A large greenhouse and a series of hoop houses allow Kenji to significantly extend the growing season. Another difficulty is the rocky soil of the region. Upon approaching the upper field of the Foundation's farm, Kenji proudly displays the two "mountains" of rocks, some quite large and heavy, that he single-handedly removed from the fields. In addition, bears and other wildlife indigenous to the region, attracted by the tasty goodies, quite often try to invade the fields. Kenji doesn't seem to mind these creatures, however: he simply lets them pass by (of course not without first taking their pictures) or double-checks the fencing around the fields to keep them out of the growing areas. All of these difficulties, seemingly insurmountable to all but the most dedicated of farmers, do not discourage Kenji„they seem, instead, to invigorate him.

              It is clear that Kenji loves what he does. Upon entering the greenhouse located in the lower field, he immediately begins caring for the plants, stoking the wood-burning furnace that keeps the greenhouse warm even in the frigid Catskill Region winters and spraying mists of water over the delicate shoots arranged in orderly boxes on tables running up and down the interior. He will proudly offer to any visitor a taste of a leaf plucked from one of the more fully-grown plants. Since no chemicals are used, it is perfectly safe to eat leaves plucked from the plants. He knows these plants inside and out, telling the taster, "This one is very spicy-watch out," or "This one tastes like lemons." The care of the farm is much more than just a job for Kenji-the process of caring for it and its plants seems to be an essential part of his very being.

              Part of his commitment to the farm arises from his dedication to the practices of Shinji Shumeikai. Informally known as Shumei, it is foremost a spiritual organization dedicated to elevating the quality of life for all humankind. Shumei is committed to the creation of an ideal state of health, happiness and harmony by applying the wisdom and insights of the philosopher Mokichi Okada (1882-1955), whom its members refer to as Meishusama. In the years preceding World War II, Meishusama taught the principle of global citizenship, the importance of the arts for the enrichment of life, the benefits of Natural Agriculture for maintaining health and harmony with the earth and the ability of the individual to draw upon a subtle universal energy for the advancement of one's physical, mental and spiritual well-being. He taught that a world free of sickness, poverty and discord is possible, and Shinji Shumeikai is committed to advancing the global transformation that Mokichi Okada foresaw.

              With Meishusama's passing in 1955, one of his foremost students, Mihoko Koyama, dedicated herself to continuing his teachings. Today, there are over 300,000 members of Shinji Shumeikai worldwide. With centers in over 100 cities throughout Japan as well as in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia, Shumei has expanded its global work toward world peace through the arts, Natural Agriculture and spirituality under the leadership of Hiroko Koyama, daughter of Mihoko Koyama. In recent years, believing that the 21st century offers new opportunities to realize Meishusama's vision of global citizenship, Shumei has assumed an even more active role in international and interfaith activities.

              Shumei's international headquarters and spiritual center resides in the Shigaraki Mountains north of Kyoto in a place called Misono. Meaning "Sacred Garden," Misono reflects Meishusama's vision of Heaven on Earth. The world's foremost architects, artists, engineers and craftsmen all had a hand in creating this sanctuary of beauty and spirituality. Shumei will be opening a new spiritual center on a twenty-acre site high in the Sangre de Christo Mountains of the San Luis Valley in Colorado. Known as the Crestone Center, it is the home of the Shumei International Institute, a non-profit organization created to provide an environment for spiritual growth through interfaith activities, the practice of Natural Agriculture, and art and cultural events.

              The practice of Natural Agriculture and a commitment to the cleanliness of the environment and the conservation of the planet's natural resources are essential parts of Shinji Shumeikai. Underlying Natural Agriculture is a profound reverence for Nature, and its practice is guided entirely by the intrinsic wisdom of Nature. In the words of Meishusama, "Nature can teach us everything." It is envisioned as not only a means of cultivating pure and wholesome food but as an art and spiritual practice. Without an understanding of the spiritual aspects that underlie all physical existence, it is impossible to understand Natural Agriculture. It must, therefore, be approached more as a philosophy than a technique of food production. It is in this fundamental way that Natural Agriculture contributes to the organic movement. As an agricultural method it relies on understanding the subtle physical relationships and spiritual bonds that exist among all of the elements involved in the cultivation of food: the earth, sun, rain, wind, the farmer, the people who eat the food and the society in which they live. Its purpose is to foster the health and well-being of all these elements.

              Chemical fertilizers, soil treatments and pesticides, which are necessary to maintain colossal yields in vast multinational agribusinesses, are never used in Natural Agriculture. The produce of Natural Agriculture is grown with pure soil and water. Only naturally occurring nutrients enrich the soil. Compost is used not as a nutrient but to keep the soil moist, warm and soft. When compost is used it must be made from local materials. It also cannot contain any animal products, including manure. The seeds sown in Natural Agriculture must be free from genetic modification. In fact, Natural Agriculture favors heirloom varieties and eschews hybrids. These principles hold true whether one farms in large fields, in greenhouses or in small windowsill herb gardens.

              While the ideal of Natural Agriculture is to use only soil indigenous to the region, sometimes the native soil is so polluted by industrial chemicals that recovering it would either be impossible or would create too much of a hardship. In these cases, soil from other locations must be introduced. The key, however, is to import soil that is both pure and will work at least as well in its new location as the native soil once did. Seeds likewise may be introduced, providing they grow well in their new location and can be cultivated using the Natural Agriculture method.

              An essential tenet of Natural Agriculture is that there are no "pests" or "weeds" in Nature; there are simply plants and animals that are out of place in a particular environment. Pesticides and herbicides are not used in Natural Agriculture-any possible infestation is a minor problem compared to the harm done by using such chemicals. The motivation behind the practice of Natural Agriculture is to promote the happiness and well-being of others. The same may be said regarding Shumei's other activities, Jyorei and Art.

              Jyorei is a spiritual technique that was developed by Meishusama. Essentially an active prayer that cleanses the spirit, it enables practitioners to focus upon a subtle universal energy of light and to share it with others. It affects those who share it in a variety of ways. To some, it brings physical or emotional healing; to others, it brings joy.

              For all who practice it, however, it fosters a connection with the rest of the world, enabling them to feel attuned to the deeper purpose of life and to enhance their spiritual awareness in order that they may envision a greater universal good.

              Believing that "The role of art is surely to heighten people's emotions, to enrich their lives and to give meaning and enjoyment to their existence," Meishusama wrote that people should advance beauty in the environment and increase their appreciation of beauty for it is "ƒsure to have the effect of beautifying the hearts of people who live in it„" In short, "ƒit is in Art that Beauty finds its true statement."

              One of the manifestations of that belief is found at the Miho Museum, located in the Shigaraki Mountains between Kyoto and Lake Biwa, just a few miles away from Misono. The museum, which opened in 1997, was designed by the renowned architect I. M. Pei and houses the Shumei family's collection of art. Considered by many to be one of the most impressive in Japan, the collection includes more than 1,000 ancient masterpieces from Egypt, Turkey, India, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Greece, Rome, Indonesia, Tibet, China and Japan. The inspiration for the museum's design, according to Pei, can be found in the classic Chinese poem of Tao Yuan Ming entitled "Peach Blossom Spring." The poem tells of a fisherman who follows a stream toward its source to discover a cave leading to a lost mountain paradise, untouched by time. Nestled between the densely wooded slopes of an isolated nature preserve and overlooking green valleys, the Miho Museum itself evokes a mountain paradise.

              The enjoyment of a visit to the museum lies not only in the beauty of the structure and its setting but also in the impressive collection housed there. Great attention is placed on the lighting, positioning and setting of the works of art, creating a total environment where art can be experienced in a way that will have a profound effect on the viewer, where supreme importance is placed on the beauty and power of the artwork itself and on elevating the consciousness of those encountering it.

              It is not only in the visual arts, however, that Shumei seeks to bring beauty into the world. The Shumei Taiko Drum Ensemble is famous throughout the world for its virtuoso music performances, which includes the use of large drums. The performances are masterpieces of musical artistry, physical exertion, visual theatrics and spirituality. In the autumn of 2000, the ensemble traveled to the United States for a performance at the United Nations. Following that performance, they were invited by the Foundation to perform in Hunter. Due to bad weather, the performance was moved to Colonel's Hall at the Lodge at Hunter Mountain Ski Bowl. The Hall was able to accommodate 750 people, but due to the extraordinary popularity of the ensemble, many hopeful viewers had to be turned away at the door.

              In an age where anger and ugliness seem to many to have become the norm, the message of Shinji Shumeikai-that world peace is possible through the embrace of beauty in all its forms, nature in its purest form and the spirituality that underlies all existence„is most welcome. It is largely through their efforts and those of their Natural Agriculture experts such as Kenji Ban that this ideal may become a reality.

              To find out more about Shinji Shumeikai's principles and its farming techniques feel free to visit Kenji and tour the Catskill Mountain Foundation Farm in the Village of Hunter Saturday afternoons year-round. The farm is a short walk from the Foundation's Red Barn Performing Arts Center and headquarters office.

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