=TOP= of 10th Anniversary

The Shumei International Institute (SII) is very happy to invite friends from around the corner and around the world to join us in celebrating our tenth anniversary in Crestone Colorado.

SII was established in Crestone Colorado as the third of three sacred sites in the world for Shinji Shumeikai, commonly known simply as “Shumei” our parent organization in Japan. Shumei was originally founded my Mokichi Okada (reverently known within the Shumei organization as “Meishusama”) [1882 – 1955] and revolves around the three principal tenets of jyorei, art and Natural Agriculture. Shumei’s three sacred sites are associated with the elements of fire, water and earth, which Meishusama used in his teachings. Appropriately Sited on the shoulder of the majestic Sangre de Cristo mountains, with 100 mile views overlooking the San Luis Valley, SII in Crestone Colorado represents the earth element.

Anniversary’s are often celebrated as high points of the year in Asian culture and Shumei is no exception. In fact, our anniversary is the largest event of the year for SII and is planned for many months in advance, our 10th anniversary looks to be the largest and most momentous yet! We have more than 150 international guests from Japan, Hong Kong, Europe and around the world joining us in this year’s celebration. By being a focal point that draws people together in this remote and beautiful area, this is one of the ways SII fulfills its mission of “…helping people of the world realize they are world citizens, able to act for the common good.”

One of the primary reasons SII established it’s sacred earth center in remote Crestone, was because of our interest in interfaith activities. Crestone is known worldwide for its beauty, the community of artists and sustainable builders and its 30 plus different spiritual and religious groups who have a presence here. Since the grand opening in 2002 and for the ten years of anniversaries since SII has invited representatives from every group to gather together and participate in an interfaith activity. This has grown to be a truly collaborative event with the Crestone Spiritual Alliance helping to plan it and volunteers from almost every part of the community helping us put on this event.

If you would like to volunteer [*click here] for more information.

Below is the schedule for the weekend of activities. Click on links for more detailed information about specific activities.

Saturday May 19th

Crestone Community Interfaith Day
Program begins at Dharma Ocean
10:00 AM – 3:15 PM short presentations from many of Crestone’s 30 + spiritual and religious groups, breakout sessions, kirtan, display tables. Inexpensive lunch options provided by the Desert Sage Restaurant

(For directions to Dharma Ocean click here)


Program moves to Shumei’s Crestone Center

4:00 Taiko Concert
5:15 Fire, Water, Earth Tea Offering immediately followed by -
Sampai for World Peace
Tea bowls & select items from Miho Museum collection on display

Sunday May 20

Shumei International Institute’s 10th Anniversary
All anniversary events take place at Shumei’s Crestone Center
10:30 AM 10th Anniversary Sampai
12:00 Thank you buffet luncheon provided by Shumei (donations welcomed)
2:30 PM The High Art of Tea Ceremony – Presented by Tea Master Yoshino Sosho
4:30 Green macha tea experience
Tea bowls & select items from Miho Museum collection on display

No RSVP is required for any of these events.

Click here for directions to Crestone and the Shumei International Institute.