~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Appiko," to Embrace HUG YOUR TREE!!! 〜for TAKAO, EARTH and YOURSELF〜 Nov. 21, Friday, from 9:00 to 16:00 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Appiko" means "to embrace" in Karnataka language in South India. Mr. Pandurang Hegde from India has been working for 25 years for the protection of the forests and rivers, organizing people in non- violent "Appiko" movements, which began from hugging the trees to prevent the felling. Mr. Hegde is coming to Japan soon.
Yoga practices from India, Buddhism and Shinto-ism in Japan, and even the environmental studies today, all teaches us that every life is inter-related, that everything is connected and support each other in this world.
We human and the trees and forests are part of a whole, are firmly tied to each other like a family
It was Mahatma Gandhi who led India to Independence by non-violent methods who inspired Mr. Hedge's forerunner, Mr. Sunderlal Bahuguna, the leader of the famous Chipko movement in Himalaya. Mr. Hegde will visit Mt.Takao on Nov. 21 to meet the people and the mountain.
Was it just by concidence that it is also 25years ago that the construction plan for the huge tunnel through our sacred mountain Mt. Takao suddenly came up and people started action against this plan?
Let us say "Namaste" and greet each other in the beautiful autumn Takao. We would like to breath deeply the forest air, and stretch ourselves and hug a tree and listen to the message together. We will have a morning tea made from fresh spring water, the blessing from the mountains.
Enjoy the talk session of the guests, walk in the forest with our special guide, Ms. Sakata. It will be the real deep ecological experience for everybody. We have also plenty of time to be relaxed or have a discussion on non-violent communication, something which is essential beyond words.. If requested, there will be a short yoga session.
We might have participation of politicians, members of Diet, in support for ouraction, too.
We will do our best to keep things in Bilingual (Japanese and English). We would appreciate it if you would participate and have a good time with us. Bring your friends, too.
Time schedule ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 8:55 Take the Keio-line train that reach Takaosanguchi station at 8:55. Please do not be late. Please use the W.C. and meet the staff outside the ticket gate. 9:00 Take a car to Tree House.
Please note that: Depending on the weather or because of any extraordinary situation, we may have to make changes in the program. Even if it rains, we will have the workshop. Takao is beautiful in rain also.
Fees: 500 yen each person. (Coffee or tea and a little snack will be served for free) Whatever money made will be contributed to the activities to protect Mt. Takao.
What to bring: Please bring your smiles. Contributions of snacks is welcome. Bring something for lunch or drink, and a plate, a cup and chopsticks for yourself. We will sing together some simple songs. If you can bring along your instruments, that will be welcomed also. It will be much colder than the city. Please bring warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
For more information ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Send a e-mail to Marujun, junxxx★jd5.so-net.ne.jp(please change★to@). Please put the title of the mail "Appiko information" or "Appiko booking". It is not necessary to make booking beforehand, but it will be appreciated for preparations. Thank You.
Introducing the Participants ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ・Pandurang Hegde Social activist working in the Gandhian methods for conflict resolutions and protection of nature in South India. He was invited to Japan for making a presentation at International Symposium on "Question on Poverty and Development in Conflict and Conflict Resolution" (Nov.15-16) organized by Ryukoku University in Kyoto. Mr. Hegde will also be speaking at International Christian University (Nov. 20) and Rikkyo University (Nov. 22).
・Masako Sakata A Charismatic social activist who has organized many unique events charming the young people who love Mt. Takao. Representative of "Kenju-no kai", the citizens group for protection of Mt. Takao.
・Yoshihito Hashimoto Secretary General for the "Citizens' Association to Protect Wildlife of Mt. Takao 高尾山の自然を守る市民の 会". He run as the candidate in the last January's Election for Mayor of Hachioji, where he insisted on the re-examination of the plan for construction of tunnel in Mt.Takao receiving much support from the people. He sees as his life mission to be on the side of the voiceless nature and powerless citizens for the future.
・Miyako Maekita Representative of "Sustenaサステナ". Works as Creative Director. She is working to spread the methods to change people's awareness for the better world through uses of the media in creative ways such as by holding events as "Candle-night for the millions" etc.
・Ayako Uno As a student found the nature of the campus at International Chrisitian University so attractive she has stayed on campus over the years. Now a researcher whose task is to continue to listen to the message of Mahatma Gandhi through encounters. During this workshop will be with Mr. Hegde as an attendant and a translator.。
・Marujun Instructor of Yoga who loves to climb trees and a copywriter. She has organized "Tengu" Yoga at the "Wai- wai Deck" and has made the leaflets to let more people know about the crisis endangering Mt.Takao. She is the main organizer and producer of this workshop.