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Editor's Note - This is an excerpt from the November 2004 issue of the Buddhist Wheel
“There is a square upon the floor,
an island in a sea, a place I visit every
week, a spot that’s just for me.
When I sit upon that square, I leave my
cares outside, all anger is forgotten,
the Dharma is my guide,
There is a special something here, it’s
something you can see, for kindness lives
within this place it lives inside of me.
Amida stands inside the shrine, a smile
upon his face, I smile right back,
I’m glad to be here in this special place.
Now there’s time to sit and think of all
that I can do, to care for those around
me, each day the whole week through.
This is the home to gentle thoughts when
sitting quietly for kindness lives within
this place, it lives inside of me.”
As I bid aloha, I am reminded of the words of the gatha, “A Special Place.” Yes, Hilo Betsuin is a special place where we come together as a sangha to share our path in the Nembutsu way. Each person who enters the temple of Hilo Betsuin finds a spirit of warmth and kindness. As one participates in the services one can feel that warmth and kindness becoming a part of them. Yes, at times the Family Dharma service is full of lively conversation as we greet each other after a week of work, school or play. But this is joyfulness of meeting each other in this “Special Place”. The joy of “noise” is changed with the sound of the welcoming gong as the temple is filled with the call of Namu Amida Butsu. As we intone the call of Namu Amida Butsu, we feel the warm embrace that is the special calling voice of Amida for each one of us.
As I reflect upon this, I feel the wonder and joy that Hilo Betsuin Sangha has shared with me for nearly five years as a minister from 1999 when I returned to Hilo from Kyoto, Japan. However, my life within this sangha is greater than that time. It has been nearly 30 years that we the Kondo family has lived here. You have been my family and nurtured me as we shared and lived within the Nembutsu teaching.
The Kondos came in 1975 and then left briefly from 1983-1986. The Kondo family’s life has been intertwined with all of you in Hilo. This thread of sharing your life with me and my family will always remain and will be a guide as I move forth to the new changes and challenges in my life as a minister of Lihue Hongwanji. Lihue Hongwanji is also “my home:” since the Kondos went to Lihue from 1965 where my late husband, Ryosho Kondo, was the resident minister. With our kids, Glenn, Alan and Maya, we were all part of Lihue Hongwanji for ten years, moving to Hilo in 1975. Please remember that the Kondos consider Hilo their home a place where I will always return.
As I bid Aloha, I look forward with anticipation and uncertainties too as I move forth, but I will always be sustained by Namu Amida Butsu and by each of you guiding me in this change. For you have been my teachers throughout the nearly thirty years of living on the Big Island and so you will continue to guide me.
Just as you have been my teachers, as a fellow learner of the Buddha Dharma, my greatest hope for Hilo Betsuin is that members will commit themselves to deepen their understanding of the Nembutsu path, living and sharing the call of Amida’s Wisdom and Compassion. The calling voice of wisdom compassion will continue to unfold as you share the teachings with the wider community. It is my deepest hope that each member can proudly say to others in the community of Buddhists and non-Buddhists how this pathway is a source that awakens their awareness of who they are and in that understanding is better able to relate with kindness, understanding, patience, openness and with compassion with their family, friends and the larger community. May Hilo Betsuin’s special sangha continue to be a beacon of spirituality.
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