Lifetime Students
Good Morning
Everyone! How are you?
As most of you
know, I have been serving at the Sacramento Betsuin since August of 2003. I am enjoying so much being in
When I first came
here, one of our very dedicated Betsuin members, Mr. Akio Imai used to come to my
office 2 to 3 times a week. We
would often talk about Buddhism. He would bring a book that he was reading
with the pages marked / where he had a question. One day in April of 2004, after I
responded to his questions, he said gSensei! you know
everything about Buddhism.h
But I said to him,
gNo, I am not a Sensei. I am not a
Sensei. I am just a disciple of
Shinran Shonin.h
He wondered and
said gWhat do you mean that you are not a Sensei?h
I told him that when
I was in the University studying Jodo Shinshu, I felt that I was learning
everything about the teachings. But
then, one of my professors, Dr. Koju Fugen told me that gWhen you feel that you are a gteacherh
of Jodo Shinshu teachings, you will lose the heart of sincerity as a Jodo
Shinshu Monto (Sangha member). And you may begin to act arrogantly with
too much pride. There is no
difference between Members and Priests for we are all disciples of Shinran
Shonin (ä¯ü On-Dobo)h. Dr. Fugen said
to me gYou should study together with members (ä¯s On-Dogyo) to spread our wonderful Jodo Shinshu teachings to
all. To take the lead in studying
the Dharma (On-Dogyo) is the only difference between
you and members.h
Dr. Fugen gave this advice to me and it always reminds me to try
to keep the spirit (On-Dobo & On-Dogyo) of Shinran Shonin alive with me.
Then Mr. Imai said
gI see. But traditionally, we call our
minister eSenseif. Is it OK to call
you Sensei?h I answered gYes, that is fine.
But, please remember that more than being a priest I am a student of
Jodo Shinshu teachingsh
He said gOkc I
will remember that. And I have a suggestion
for you. Can we havec a study class?
All my life I have come to our Betsuin, and I still continue to study
Buddhism. And I have realized that
it is very difficult to study by myself.h
I replied gOf
course we can have a study class.
We can begin with a history of traditional Indian Buddhism and their
Philosophy.h He was excited and
said gOh, that is good. When do you
want to start?h I said gLetfs seec maybe
we can have 2 semesters in a year.
So, shall we start from the fall of this year (2004)?h
He was very pleased
and said gOk, I will come to your study class.h
But, Mr. Imai was not able to attend the study
class he had encouraged me to startc because he passed away in June of 2004 at
the age of 85.
As I had promised Mr. Imai, in October of
2004, I started Shin Buddhist Study Classes in English & in Japanese. I was pleased, because we had about 20
members come to study together that first semester.
This year 2006, I have
arranged to begin two additional classes for evenings. I always receive many good questions and in
class discussions, I have learned to understand and appreciate more deeply our
Jodo Shinshu teachings. I have realized
that gteaching is learningh. And I
am sure that like Mr. Imai, I will be a lifetime student of the Dharma.
I will always appreciate Mr. Akio Imaifs
support and encouragement to have
study classesc now we are in our 5th
semester, studying Chanting and trying to make new interpretations of the
Larger Sutra every week. We continue
to try our best to develop a strong future for Jodo Shinshu here in the
I am very happy to have this chance share the
Dharma and my life as minister and perpetual Dharma student with our Sacramento
Betsuin.
In Gassho