The tournament opened up with 63 students participants performing meditation (Chinkon) which was conducted by Lisa U. and Dabo by Justin N. and Kihon basic practice by Thomas P.   Opening group kata demonstration of Tenchi Ken Dai Ikkei to Yonkei were demonstrated by all Black Belt students in perfect unison.  Three courts were setup for students to present their Kata and the importance of good Kamae (Stance), Kiai, Chosoku-Zanshin, Happo Moku, Breathing, Rhythm and Accuracy were further discussed with all participating students.
Several parents who actively participated as they are Shorinji Kempo students; Yamanaka, Dinh, Sophia, Thomas, Phi & Yukiko.  These parents truly lead by example!!!   First, second, third and fourth place results were announced in the Children, Kyu and Black Belt divisions. The students received medals and loud applause from the audience.  We also held oten yori oki agari contest where Noah Hoang won !!!!
Upon completion of the Shorinji Kempo Taikai (Tournament), advanced practice session of Goho and Juho techniques was conducted by Hagata sensei and Rastogi sensei. The Taikai closed with a Leadership Seminar which was attended by all of the black belt and several brown belt students.  We had surprise student guest Cindy Wong who recently was admitted to University of California, Berkeley along with another kenshi Songvy Nguyen.  Another kenshi graduating high school and heading to college is Alexandria Samuel.   CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THREE!!!!
FIXED FORM – KATA RESULTS 

1st Place Angeline, Nadalie, Kevin, Vanessa, Valerie, Kevin Q, Dinh, Haley, Katelyn, Christine, Nathan, Brandon, Gaganjyot, Noah Ho, Lauren, Nicholas, Tammy, Ichiro, Yulisa, Justin, Mike
2nd Place Eddie, Hannah, Bao, Sophia D., Allyson, Sarah, Jennifer, Jonathan, Noah H. Kelley Q. Phi, Anson, Emily, Liset, Lily, Lisa U., Corbin

3rd Place Ethan, Tien, Evelyn P., Nicholas T, Thien, Esther, Thien, Samantha, Logan, Lana, Musashi, Gladys, Sydni, Thomas

4th Place Tri, Sophia P, Jill, Cindy, Eric, Lily, Connor, Andrew, Yukiko
Gassho! 
Shorinji Kempo Orange County Branch

This article is dedicated to all students and families who continue to give back to the community we live in.  Orange County Shorinji Kempo Branch located in Southern California students (Kenshi) lives “Half’s for one’s own happiness and half for the happiness of others”. On May 2th, 2015   23 Shorinji Kempo students and parents volunteered their energy to clean and paint the schools bathrooms and lockers at Bethune middle school.  Bethune’s vision has many similarities to Shorinji Kempo. Bethune’s goal is to have parents and teachers working in harmony.  To raise students who are socially and academically aware for creating a better society.

23 Shorinji Kempo students and parents drove at 7:15am in a caravan of cars to Bethune Middle school. Upon arrival we checked in and received water, T-Shirts and energy bars.  Located in Los Angeles, Bethune middle school has several 2 and 3 story brick buildings that require cleaning from time to time. Mike H. and Lisa U separated over 100 volunteers into distinct groups to challenge numerous paint and cleanup projects.  Much to a pleasant surprise, the school hand painted some Shorinji Kempo banners for us.  The Shorinji Kempo students Team #2 cleaned several floors, classroom lockers, painted bathrooms and picked up debris inside and around the school.  

The cleaning and painting moved like a perfect Kumi Embu (Pair Form) symphony of students, teachers and parents. Timing, accuracy, distance, speed and angle were some of the “key elements of Atemi” that described the 23 kenshi’s actions.   Speed seemed to be our biggest asset.  We completed many of the tasks in only a few hours.  Another great Shorinji Kempo community service event locked in time !!!! The pictures of the event speak for themselves.

The day ended with many of us going to the Avengers movie “Age of Ultron”.   We all have the power to change people’s lives in a positive way.  Students and parents lead by their actions which results in accomplishing great things in our community.  They are the ones whose actions truly speak louder than words!! The ones who lead by example for others to follow.

We are thankful for the many Shorinji Kempo students and parents who give back to the community through their actions!!  Connor, Dinh, Tammy, Mike, Lily, Lana, Thomas, Nicholas, Yukiko, John, Gaganjyot, Justin, Lauren, Nathan, Corbin, Yamanaka, Alexandria, Noah, Musashi, Sheri, Tri and Charles.

Mike and Lisa’s continued dedication to their Work, Family and Shorinji Kempo is one to be followed.

Gassho!

Pankaj Rastogi

Orange County Branch