Good morning everyone.
Welcome back to our Betsuin Sunday service
and the new Dharma school term. I
am glad to see everyone again. Did
you enjoy your summer vacation?
Since September 1st, Rev. Bob and
Sensei Patti have been in
In July, we had our annual Obon Dance. That
night, although temperature was over 100 degrees, many people showed up to
enjoy dancing.... 100 degrees was too hot for me, so I was bathed in perspiration. While we danced, I wished that I had
wipers on my glasses to keep them clean...
So, I really hope our 2007 Obon night next
July will be cooler than this year, and maybe we can get even more people to
dance.
In August, we had our biggest event of the
year, our 60th annual Betsuin bazaar. This year, I took pictures of food and
printed them on letter sized photo paper to attach to the menu. So, I hope it was easier for people to
find the food they wanted on the menu. I saw that some people just pointed the
picture to buy the food.
I really appreciate all of your help and
support for our Betsuin Bazaar. I was
able to help with the Bazaar construction and with the cleaning of the tables
and chairs after the bazaar.
I realized that many many
people gave their valuable time to make our Bazaar such a wonderful event.
It was a great success. Again, thank you everyone... Thank you
very very much...
Last month, in August I had 3
anniversaries. The 1st one
was my 3rd year anniversary with the Betsuin on August 4th. It is hard to believe that I have
already been here in the
Rev. Bob told me that I was the best of all
the young ministers. Do you think
so? Hmm...
I don’t know...
My 2nd special August event was our
1st year anniversary on August 6th. Michi and I
have been married one whole year. So,
on August 6th, we celebrated our marriage. We are no longer newlyweds, but we enjoy
our daily life still as newlyweds.
My 3rd special August event was the
30th anniversary of my birth!
On August 28th, I said “Byebye 20’s”, and now I entered the wonderful 30’s!
When I look back on 30 years of my life, I
realize that it was made possible, because of many others’ help and support. It is what we call in Jodo Shinshu “other
power”...
Our Jodo Shinshu founder, Shinran shonin thought...
I am a part of oneness, I am a part of the entire
universe. I receive always Amida's light of compassion that is called other power to
sustain my life.
Although I cannot always be kind and gentle to others, others help me always
to sustain my life.
How wonderful it is that Amida's light of
compassion illuminates the universe to sustain my life.
When
I experience Amida's light of compassion entering my
heart, when I experience the kindness of others, Namo
Amida Butsu becomes my expression
of deep gratitude from the bottom of my heart....
I
really feel... this is true...
When I was born, I was was only 6.1 pounds.
Now I cannot imagine that I was so skinny. Anyway... I was
the 1st baby for my parents.
So, my mom and Dad held me gently in their arms and fed me milk to
sustain my young life. I heard that
I was very lovely baby.
I grew up quickly and healthily.
When I was 4 years old, my parents
decided to send me to a nursery school.
The first day of school, when my mom took me, then left from the school,
I started crying. I was crying,
crying and crying. I was crying all
day... Later, my mom told me that
it was the first day and the first time that we were ever apart, so, I cried...
Each day, my parents took me to the nursery
school although sometimes I did not want to go. It is now a sweet memory for me.
Next I entered kindergarten. By then, I had many friends, so I did
not cry any more. 1 year later, I
entered an elementary school. In
school, sometimes I fought with friends.
But right after fighting, we always made up. We had good friendships.
When I was in a middle school and high
school, I had many many examinations. I did not like study... But many
teachers told me that it is very important to study in school for my future... If I did not have suggestions from my
teachers, I might not go to the University. But, I entered the University. My University was in
It was the first time I had to live by
myself. That meant, I had to do everything by myself.
Then, I realized that how much my mom and
dad helped, supported and sustained my life during all the years, I was growing
up..
I really appreciated them.
When I was a senior at the university, my
teacher, professor Takeda, suggested that I become an overseas minister. After I graduated from the university, I
had to study Buddhism for 3 more years to become an overseas minister. During those 3 years, I had several
Buddhist teachers who helped me learn more deeply about Jodo Shinshu Teachings.
...And finally ... in August 2003, I came
to the
When I came to
Needless to say, Rev. Bob always checked
my English, corrected my grammar and taught me how to organize our services...
And since I came here, I have had 7
English tutors. I am sorry, I cannot
list all the people by name... but, many many people have
helped me... I really really appreciate all of you...
Again, when I look back on the 30 years
of my life, I am sure that my life has only been made possible by other power. That is all of your help and support. Without you, I might not be here today. But fortunately, I have been able to
enjoy your support and help. I can
only say Namo Amida Bustu to all of you... to express my gratitude.
Gassho
I am a part of oneness, I am a part of the entire
universe. I receive always Amida's light of compassion that is called other power to
sustain my life.
Although I cannot always be kind and gentle to others, others help me always
to sustain my life.
How wonderful it is that Amida's light of
compassion illuminates the universe to sustain my life.
When
I experience Amida's light of compassion entering my
heart, when I experience the kindness of others, Namo
Amida Butsu becomes my expression
of deep gratitude from the bottom of my heart....