Good morning everyone.

Next Sunday, we have an annual food festival.  We will have Cookies and pastries, Udon, Maki Sushi and many other delicious foods.  Mmm, it sounds good…  Please come next Sunday and also enjoy lunch at our Betsuin.  We always will appreciate your help and support.

Last week, we had the BCA National Conference at the Double tree hotel.  It lasted for 5 days.  That is why, last Sunday we did not have our usual Sunday Dharma school service.  Last Saturday night at the National council banquet, there was a recognition ceremony for 25 years of BCA ministry for Rev. Bob.  I saw some of our Betsuin members there at the ceremony and the banquet.  I hope Rev. Bob will have another 25 years here at our Sacramento Betsuin.  That way, I have no Shinpai.  I will have no worry for the next 25 years.

 During the conference, one of my duties was to officiate the early morning chanting… everyday.  It was like a monthly Oasaji service.  The early morning chanting began at 7 A.M.  So, I had to set up all of the altar things in the conference room before 7 A.M.  Every morning I got up 5:30 A.M. to go to the hotel.  So, last week, I was always sleepy.  On Saturday morning, I had the opportunity to speak in front of all the BCA ministers and all the BCA temple delegates.  There were about 200 people there.

Rev. Shin asked me “do you feel nervous?”  I said “no, there are only 200 people here.  In Sacramento, every Sunday we have at least 500 people.  So, it is easy for me to speak in front of only 200 people.”

At the conference, I talked about “human being cannot help but make mistakes in living life.”

 The story was the same one I shared last Sunday morning at our Dharma School service.  Some of you may remember I talked about Michiko’s Jury Duty Summons and my Parking citation letter.

 Anyway, after I finished my talk, people came up to the podium.  And they said “although you have been in the United States for only 2 years and 7 months, your English is so good.  How did you learn English so quickly?”  I replied “because of our Betsuin members and my English tutors, they correct my pronunciation and my accent.  I also went to the ESL school for the first year I was here.  I think that it is most important to speak English without hesitation… to not be afraid to make mistakes, and also, to always try to improve”

 I really feel gratitude for all of our Betsuin Members.  Because, if I did not have your support and your help in correcting my English, I would not have been able to speak at the National conference.  Thank you everyone.  I really do appreciate all of you.

Gassho

 When we appreciate the help of others, we begin to live a Nembutsu life.