Good morning, everyone. Last weekend, Rev. Bob and I with 11 of our teachers went to San Jose for the Dharma school teacher’s conference. It was a very nice conference. Several interesting workshops were prepared for us to enjoy.

 

Saturday night, I attended an Ojuzu making and repairing work shop.

When I went to the work shop, the room was already full.

I thought a lot of people are certainly interested in this work shop. Rev. Fukuma, from the Tacoma Buddhist Temple and I went to this work shop.

 

First, we had to get beads and a special rubber thread for making an Ojizu. I collected small beads and big beads. Rev. Fukuma collected purple beads. I tried to make both a big and a small Ojuzu.

 

I recognized Patti Okusama was also there, and after I made one Ojuzu. I asked to her “How is your Ojuzu making?” She already made one. So, she answered “Good. Isn’t it pretty?” She tried to stretch her Ojuzu. Then, I yelled “bang!” …………“OH!” She was very surprised and said “don’t scare me!”…. I said “If you stretch your Ojuzu too much, it will break. You should bind the thread tightly.”

I left her, and sat in a chair. And then, I heard her scream. Her Ojuzu had broken. Maybe I thought she stretched her Ojuzu too much.

Finally, Rev. Fukuma was able to complete one purple Ojuzu. I had already made …6 Ojuzu. But I also broke my Ojuzu 2 times, because I stretched it too much. When I finished making Ojuzu, it was already 10:30pm. We spent 2 hours just for Ojuzu making. I already gave 3 Ojuzu to my friends. Rev. Teruoka in Denver, Rev. Mukojima in Viselia and Mrs. Nakashima.

So now I only have 3 left.

 

At the end of the Dharma school meeting, our new bishop Rev. Koshin Ogui formerly from the Chicago Buddhist temple, had a closing speech. He said “Anchu ni Mosaku surukoto wo ikigai toshi, shiko sakugo wo osorezu” which means, “to challenge oneself within the uncertainties of life, without fear of making mistakes.” ゆっくり-Yukkuri “to challenge oneself within the uncertainties of life, without fear of making mistakes.”

 

This is a great encouragement for us all. To challenge ourselves to do our best… to try new things… without fear of making mistakes.

Before the teacher’s conference, I never tried to make an Ojuzu before. But, in trying something new, I was able to learn even thought I failed twice!

Some times, we hesitate to try something new. Because of we feel afraid of making a mistake. But, if we don’t try, we might miss out on something wonderful. If we don’t try, we will never know.

GASSHO

“to challenge oneself within the uncertainties of life, without fear of making mistakes.” This is a great encouragement for us all.