Namo Amida Butsu
Greetings to our Wailuku Hongwanji members and ‘ohana. I hope you are well and reciting Amida Buddha’s calling voice of Namo Amida Butsu in your daily lives.
Our country’s welfare system is stronger than many parts of the world, including Southeast Asia and Japan, yet the gap between rich and poor remains wide. Recently, I came across a story that touched me deeply, a simple expression of love from a little girl raised by a single mother.
Hanako, age five, was born to her mother at 17. Abandoned by her father, her mother relied on welfare for basic support but still had to work two jobs. Each evening she bathed Hanako, shared dinner, and put her to bed before leaving for late work. One night, Hanako asked how much she earned per hour. When told $20, she quietly saved coins and, adding $10 from her mother, asked, “Mom, I have $20. Can you please sleep with me for one hour?” The mother realized her daughter needed presence, not money, and promised never to leave her side again.
This story reminds us that while we are born and pass away alone, we are never truly alone. Amida Buddha’s wisdom and compassion reach into our hearts, offering peace and joy. Namo Amida Butsu is Amida calling: “Come as you are.” His embrace assures us always, “You are not alone.”
