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Dharma Friends - December 2005 |
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Written by Rev. Mariko Nishiyama
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Saturday, 03 December 2005 |
Editor's Note - This is an excerpt from the December 2005 issue of the Buddhist Wheel
"Such beings are like people
Who, imbued with incense,
Bear its fragrance on their bodies;
They may be called
Those adorned with the fragrance
of light."
Aloha! My dear Dharma friends, Holiday season is
coming soon. As the end of 2005 draws near, we are busily doing this
and that with time passing swiftly by. I am happy that I can live each
day drenched in the radiant light of Amida Buddha. Like the rain and
dazzling sun enveloping the natural beauty and lush plants of this
island, the warm and hospitable people in Hilo protect and sustain me.
When I reflect on the events of the year, I must say
that the year was very difficult for me. But I have also recognized how
the many forms of natural life and our Hilo Betsuin members, through
the working of Namo Amida Butsu, have sustained and encouraged me.
Since last year, I have been the Junior YBA adviser,
along with Mrs. Nancy Nakamatsu, Mrs. Merle Tomori, Mrs. Audrey Inaba,
and Mrs. Valerie Galacgac, who are helping as advisers of both the Hilo
Hongwanji and the United Junior YBA of Hawaii Island. I found that
responsibility to be a heavy one, but I am learning important things
from both the children and the other advisers. I appreciate from my
heart their hard work.
On March 21-23, the students and I went to the
Kaneohe Camp on Oahu. It was a very meaningful experience for us. At
the airport, greeters were waiting to meet us with lei crafted with
straw. The simplicity of the straw lei and warm greetings made a pure
impression on me. At the camp the students efficiently accomplished
every item on the agenda. They eagerly shared and discussed their
troubles in dealing with the Dharma. What I learned from the children
was the importance of sharing troubles with each other, not carrying
them alone. Through their play and work, they displayed sensitivity to
each other. They showed emotions that I do not usually see.
Through this experience, I recalled the difficulties
that befell me this past year: the gash on my forehead, the
burglary of my house, the food poisoning, and my ill mother. However, I
also recalled the warmhearted support that I received each time
something happened. Tears came to my eyes when the Junior YBA students
gave me a huge card and a beautiful big cuddly stuffed dog with their
words of encouragement, "Are you OK? I worry about you, and I am
thinking of you!" Their thoughtful acts, like patting me on the
shoulder, and the kind words that many people gave me encouraged
me. I am thinking of you, too, and your great kindness.
How does the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha touch us? It
exists in our daily life. In the midst of life's harsh reality we
experience the works of Amida's Vow. In the midst of
laughter and tears, Amida's Vow opens up the world of perfect freedom.
I see the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha working in the
kind words of other people. The wisdom and compassion of Amida Buddha
are at the root of their acts and words. "How are you? Are you all
right? Please take care". These warmhearted and thoughtful acts are the
expression of Amida Buddha. The children's expressive faces have warmth
and make it meaningful to live together and create relationships of
supporting friendship. Even living through suffering becomes possible
with the compassion and wisdom of Amida Buddha.
Having experienced the students' kind acts and
words, I want to live together with all of you and affirm our true
understanding of Amida Buddha and the Primal Vow. Let us listen to the
teaching in our daily life.
Thank you all, kind and caring people, for your
sustaining acts. Indeed, the fragrance of incense, and the light and
life of Amida are within our hearts.
2005 NEN ARIGATOU GOZAIMASHITA. In Gassho…
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