Namo Amida Butsu
Wow, time seems to pass so quickly— it’s already December! As we reflect on this past year, December offers us a wonderful opportunity to look back on the events we’ve encountered over the last 11 months and express our appreciation for everything that has happened in our lives. Naturally, we don’t always get perfect results in everything we do. We’ve experienced both happy and sad memories, but we can still express gratitude for the events and lessons we’ve encountered along the way. In doing so, we can truly feel grateful for the experiences we’ve had.
For example, in September, we celebrated the Hongwanji Triple Celebration,
and in October, we marked the 125th anniversary of our Wailuku Hongwanji Mission
on October 20th. In the Homages, it is said,
“Hard it is to be born into human life; now
we are living it.” The Buddha’s teachings
remind us that “Life is impermanent and
constantly changing.” This truth is reflected in everything around us—our health, the
economy, society—everything is changing,
often without notice.
In my own life, I had the opportunity
to plant cucumbers and green onions with
the support of Michael Nishimoto and Margaret Honda. The cucumbers were planted
in mid-April, and by the end of September,
we had a small harvest from our tiny garden. We took several pictures before we
harvested what little we had. By the end
of the month, most of the cucumber plants
had withered, and I felt sad. But at the same
time, I felt deeply appreciative of the little I was able to harvest, knowing that it
was all thanks to the support of Mother Nature. The sun, soil, weather, and water all
worked together to help the plants grow. It
wasn’t just the crops that I appreciated, but
the entire experience of gardening itself. It
reminded me that life is truly wonderful,
even in its small moments.
Sadly, we often overlook this truth
because we are focused on “I” instead of
“we,” and forget the many blessings we receive from the world around us. We take
so much for granted, but the reality is that
everything around us—nature, people, and
even the smallest things—help us live and
enjoy our precious lives.
One of the Nembutsu followers, after
undergoing major surgery for cancer, realized, “My life is a gift from my parents, and I must enjoy and take care of it.” He shared
some notes with us that express his gratitude: “Even though I may have rheumatism
in my fingers, I am truly a fortunate person.
Why? Because every day I can meet wonderful people and hear the precious words
‘Good morning’ or ‘How are you?’ I am so
grateful that when I wake up, I can see the
world around me and move my fingers and
body. I am fortunate because I’ve never
had to ask anyone for help, yet everyone
around me is so kind and helps me live this
precious life. Arigatai, Arigatai, Okagesamade—I am so grateful because people
around me make my life great.”
This person’s words show the depth of
his gratitude, especially after his hospital
stay. Though his condition will take time
to heal, the great sense of appreciation he
feels will help guide him through this difficult time. Gratitude can foster a positive
mindset, making life feel more meaningful.
For me, and for all of us, I ask: “Have
I expressed my gratitude and appreciation
in the past 11 months, even when I faced
bitter or sad experiences? Did I complain
about something that happened over the
past year?” How about you?
I am certain that life is a precious gift
from our parents, and that every experience,
good or bad, is meant to help us learn the
truth about life. Our lives are always interdependent, and we share and support one
another in this precious journey. The meals
we eat are made possible by the help of others, who sustain us so that we can live. If
we are aware of these truths, the great mind
of Arigatai, Okagesamade—“I am so grateful”—will naturally arise in our hearts.
This December, let’s take a moment to
reflect, in silence, on our lives and express
our sincere gratitude for all the things and
people around us. When we do so, we may
notice something stirring in our hearts, and
perhaps we will join our hands in Gassho,
and the great name of Amida—“Namo
Amida Butsu”—will arise from our lips.
We will hold our traditional Year-End
Service, including a Candlelight Service,
on December 31 at 11:15 p.m. This significant event allows us to express our gratitude and appreciation toward the Buddha.
May we all welcome the new year, 2025,
with the guidance of Amida Buddha and
the Nembutsu
