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