While growing up, we had tremendous and excellent opportunities to meet several people and learn many important things about our lives. So, even if I say, “Those people are one of the biggest influences in our lives,” I think this statement is not an overstatement. Some of you have great memories with them, and you still contact those wonderful people to maintain a good friendship. Why? Because you appreciate their guidance, kindness, and sincere heart, which you received from them.
One of the Jodo Shin Buddhism terms is calling these people “Zen-Jishiki.” This term means “A good friend or teacher who leads one to the Buddhist way, being humble and compassionate.” And I think many of you have been strongly influenced by people around you. I firmly believe that person is Mother.
We all have or had a mother, and most of you received your mother’s wonderful blessings, love, wisdom, and compassionate heart. So, Mother’s memories are always precious to many of us and remain in our hearts as her unique gifts or our beautiful treasures.
I came to Hawaii as a Hongwanji minister on December 1, 1985. The day before I left Japan, my family gathered at one of the restaurants for my farewell dinner. On the next day, we all went to Haneda airport. While talking with my wife at Haneda airport, my sister told me I should go to the gate because they announced that my flight’s boarding would start soon. So, before I went to the TSA checkpoint, I hugged my mother and told her, “I am going and will do my best.” Then she gave me an envelope and told me to read it whenever possible. In those days, the TSA checkpoint was much easier than today and didn’t take much time to go through. When I completed the TSA checkpoint, I headed to the gate. On the way to the gate, I could see the people who were seeing me off at the airport because there was a huge window where we could see each other and say goodbye to the people. I waved my hand to them. Then, I saw that my mother was saying something. I couldn’t hear what she said, but I could read her lips, and she said to me as follows, “Genkide-ne. Well, take care of your health.” When I saw her eyes, they were full of tears. So, I felt so sad for leaving her. So, I bowed to her and continued to walk to the gate. I truly felt her kindness and compassion.
Our mother temple in Japan provided me with a business class ticket; it was a very comfortable ride on the airplane. As you may know, Japan Airlines offers high-quality services, so I enjoyed my trip to Hawaii with a business-class seat. The cabin attendants were so polite, and their services were excellent. After I left Haneda airport, they asked me for drinks, so I ordered one of the famous scotch whiskeys. Wow, it was so smooth and tasty. So, I enjoyed their excellent services. While drinking scotch whiskey, I remembered the envelope my mother gave me at the airport. I know she gave me money, but it was not only the money, but also a few pages of a letter were together with it. When I started reading it, tears flowed out of my eyes. I sincerely appreciated her unconditional love and compassion through her message.
The mother is a great person to the children, an excellent teacher and friend, and always cares for and embraces her children unconditionally, regardless of who they are. Mother’s love is much higher than any mountain and much deeper than any ocean
I want to share a warm feeling about the story with you. John is 65 years old and lives with his mother. When he was 35 years old, his father passed away. John is the only child there, so he has felt a strong responsibility to take care of his mother since then. His mother did all the housework. Twenty-five years later, his mother started forgetting many things. She failed to lock the door, buying the same items repeatedly. It was a typical symptom of the early part of Alzheimer’s disease. When she fell on the lanai, she broke her hip bone, and after that incident, she couldn’t move much, so she was bedridden most of the time and needed more intensive care. Whenever they went outside, John put her into the wheelchair. She loved to go to the park and walk the riverbank path. So, from time to time, she enjoyed receiving fresh air, seeing the beautiful blooming flowers, and hearing the birds singing.
When she was 95, her Alzheimer’s disease became more severe. One morning, when she woke up, she told her son: “Who are you?” “Where am I?” John replied to her kindly and said, “I am your son, and this is your home.” He kindly and patiently explained, but she couldn’t remember anything about him. However, her appetite was so good that he fixed her meals three times daily, and she enjoyed eating her son’s food.
On May 5, it was boys’ day. John took his mother to the riverbank. There were hundreds of flying carp displayed in the sky. Mother was so happy to see many of Koinobori, the flying carps in the sky, and she put her hands together in Gassho and said to him, “Arigato John, Thank you, John.” She was able to recall her son. John was so happy and said to her, “Arigato, Okaasan. Thank you, Mom.” Mother had never forgotten her son.
Even if your mother passed away some time ago, her beautiful memories and guidance are cherishing you and will never fade from your heart. Those memories are always guiding you on the path of truth.
Shinran Shonin sincerely appreciated the passage by his master Tao-Cho of China, who said, “Those who have been born first guide those who come later, and those who are born later follow the path of those who were born before.” Maybe your mother had passed away, but she joined the Buddhahood and became a Buddha, still guiding everyone on the path of truth with her great wisdom and compassion.
Growing up, you came to the temple with your parents. Mother and Father held your hands and walked the path to the temple. Young parents, “Now, it’s your turn to hold your children’s hands and guide them on the path to the temple.” Temple is where we can learn and rejoice in the joy and happiness of others.
Mother’s Day is truly for all of us to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our mothers for their outstanding and selfless dedication, regardless of whether they are with us or not. Namo Ami
