Editor's Note - This is an excerpt from the January 2004 issue of the Buddhist Wheel

HONPA HONGWANJI

Kyoto, Japan

New Year’s Greeting

“Immeasurable Light and life.” I send you my greetings at the beginning of the New Year.

May we all together begin each year, and each day with the recitation of the Nembutsu. The phrase, “A happy new year to you” simply expresses our good wishes, but it seems somewhat to be an expression involving an individualistic and introversive attitude. Rather, I feel that it is more important for us to seriously think about our future and the world; how and what kind of world or society we are going to build, regardless of whether our own lives are good or bad. In order to do so, we need to express our own views, look for people who support our views, and nurture the relationship we have with them. It would be joyous if our religious institution, the Hongwanji, can contribute toward these efforts.

Observances for the seven hundred fiftieth memorial for Shinran Shonin will be conducted in seven years. Commemorative services and projects are being planned for at various places of significance to Shinran Shonin. I hope that each one of us will exert our ingenuity in praising Shinran Shonin’s virtues, and will make every effort to spread the teaching of the Nembutsu.

In doing so, I hope that we will deepen our appreciation of the Buddha Dharma, and strive to open a path through which not only our temples and religious institution will be prosperous, but also that our society and the world will become a broad-minded and peaceful one. As long as the present circumstances continue, humanity may not be able to exist for much longer. If we could ease conflicts of the world, help people to exercise moderation in resources, and be able to live in affluence spiritually through Buddhist points of views and a Jodo Shinshu way of thinking, nothing could give us greater happiness.

January 1, 2004

OHTANI, Koshin
Monshu
Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha

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