CRESTONE — On Saturday, May 19, and Sunday, May 20, the Shumei International Institute (SII) will celebrate the 16th anniversary of its Crestone center. 

The theme of this year’s event is “Seeds of World Citizenship.” This year, as a way of saying thank you to the greater community for 16 wonderful years, SII is hosting a free concert featuring taiko and the very special guest performer world premiere performer of the Native American flute R. Carlos Nakai with Will Clipman on percussion.

For Shumei, the annual anniversary event is first and foremost our opportunity to express gratitude to the entire community. To that end, all are invited to join for part or all of this year’s festivities. All events are free and open to the public and do not require any RSVP, just come! 

The Shumei International Institute is very honored to have Sensei Tamao Koyama, from Shumei’s headquarters in Japan, joining this year’s anniversary celebration and presiding over two special Sampai prayer services and sharing the healing light of Jyorei. “Sampai” literally means “going to a higher place” and is Shumei’s term for its prayer services. Sampai services involve chanting and the sharing of Jyorei a spiritual healing practice whose intent is purification, spiritual transformation and… happiness!

The 16th anniversary events will begin Saturday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. with the always popular taiko performance. This year will feature members from both OMNY Taiko in New York, Makoto Taiko in Los Angeles and local performers of the newly named Crestone based Hikari Taiko. And speaking of popular, when R. Carlos Nakai with his jazz ensemble performed at a Shumei hosted concert last year more than 250 people came! Shumei anticipates the possibility of record-breaking number of attendees coming for this free concert.

Shumei plans to have overflow seating available to listen and watch via video monitor in the Food Service Building. In the event of rain, the concert will take place beneath the large white tent. PLEASE carpool as much as possible to assist in mitigating the probable congestion. Shumei will do everything to accommodate as many people as possible but anticipate traffic and parking may be VERY challenging so please arrive patient and early! Those who may have handicaps or other accessibility challenges may contact SII’s office in advance to assist everyone in enjoying this concert. 

Following the concert, Sensei Tamao Koyama will lead the traditional World Peace Prayer Sampai that takes place Saturday evening May 19; please be seated in the sanctuary by 5:30 for this service. Shumei centers from around the world join us simultaneously in chanting during this special sampai with an intention for a world free from poverty and strife. 

Sunday’s program begins with the anniversary Sampai starting at 10:30 a.m. Once again Sensei Tamao Koyama, will lead in chanting and share the healing light of Jyorei during this Sampai.  Following the Sampai Sensei Tamao Koyama will deliver a keynote speech. Immediately following Sampai, SII will offer a complimentary lunch to the community as an expression of gratitude. Guests are invited to visit Shumei’s Natural Agriculture garden and the art gallery for self guided tours from 12:30 – 5 p.m. on Sunday. 

Following lunch Shumei is pleased to host Ken Greene founder of the Hudson Valley Seed Company as a special guest speaker. Please see accompanying article for information on this year’s special art exhibition and guest speaker.

The Shumei International Institute (SII) is a Colorado not for profit organization and is the third of three sacred sites for Shumei worldwide. Nestled on the shoulder of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, SII represents the Earth element. SII’s unique mission within the greater worldwide organization is:  “Inspired by the philosophy of Mokichi Okada, Meishusama, Shumei International Institute helps people of the world realize that they are world citizens able to act for the common good.”

Visit www.shumeicrestone.org or call (719) 256-5284 for further details and information.  Please note all events start promptly at the times listed. Plan to arrive early in order to park, walk to event locations and for best seating. Some events fill to overflowing and parking on the high road is sometimes challenging and may require walking some distance. Please carpool as much as possible.

Caption: Selections of the beautiful art commissioned for the Hudson Valley Seed Company will be on display in the Shumei Gallery as part of the anniversary celebration.