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

The theme and slogan for 2004, “Rededicating Ourselves By Inspiring Others” serves as a guide for each of us. Shakamuni Buddha in his last words to his disciples said, “Make of yourself a light…Make my teaching your light…” Shinran, our founder spoke of Amida Buddha’s Light, “…a hundred thousand beams of light…spread the excellent dharma and lead beings into the Buddha’s path.”(CWS p. 335)

Recently two events stand out as how individuals in our Sangha have made themselves the light. With warmth and caring as mentors, they have led others to the teachings.

Just a few weeks ago our entire Sangha came together to make mochi, an enormous undertaking to pound the steamed mochi rice and then form it into ko mochi, an mochi and okazari. This undertaking has continued the rich heritage of making mochi the traditional way. The men worked hard to steam the rice and prepare it to be pounded.

It was a special time when a number of our senior men folk encouraged and taught the very young boys and girls of our judo, kendo and all the affiliates how to pound mochi. Then I marveled at the women as they worked around the tables covered with katakuriko, showing the young ones patiently how to press the mochi and form the smooth ko mochi. The entire process went on with the young ones working hand and hand with the older members in learning how to cool the mochi and place them into bags to be picked up.

Yes, this was not a factory perfection type mochi product but one in which the young stood side by side by the older members in the warmth of camaraderie to learn the cultural tradition of mochi making. As the young worked side by side with others, they experienced the Sangha’s heart of compassion finding joy in the encounter with our Hilo Betsuin Sangha.

The second incident occurred this past week when the students were on vacation. Miss Aileen Kaneshiro through the Dharma School offered a session titled “Winter Break” in which the students would become familiar with the life of Shakamuni Buddha, followed by play-acting, which would be videoed. Though there were only four youngsters, the session went on with two assistants and teachers, Miss Aileen Kaneshiro and Mrs. Etsuko Mori. The ministers, Dharma School teachers and parents were treated to a simple unpretentious production with props and costuming. Through this session the students will always remember the sequence of Shakamuni’s life since the teachings were of foremost importance. They learned how to put Shakamuni’s life into a play. They bonded as a Sangha as they practiced the play and later enjoyed the fellowship of eating lunch and playing in the Sangha Hall. Following the presentation, the students also wrote thank you notes to the ministers and adults who made this “Winter Break” possible.

On the final day, the students gave back to the temple in gratitude for the time they were able to spend in the “Winter Break” with a service project. With plastic bags around their hands, they went around the entire grounds to pick up scraps of candy wrappers, cigarette butts and other pieces of rubbish. They may have wanted to tell those who throw cigarette butts and candy wrappers to drop them into the respective cans, but without grumbling they gave of themselves. This simple act shows their appreciation to the temple and respect to the adults and others who helped them during the “Winter Break”.

These are just two encounters in which the adults are inspiring others through the warmth of compassionate action in words and deeds. Let us “Rededicate Ourselves, By Inspiring Others” through study, learning and practicing the Dharma together.

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