Gratitude for this life is saying Namo Amida Butsu!
This is my last message as WBT's minister as I will bid aloha to the Sangha at WBT at the end of July. I have mixed feelings about leaving. It has been such a privilege serving this temple and meeting all of you in this very special Sangha. I have been the recipient of your friendship, guidance, support, patience and warm smiles and laughter. But now is the time to spend with my three grandsons, Kainoa, Kenji and Renzo. Each day with them is precious. This next journey is as a lucky bachan (grandmother)!
While getting through life is no easy matter, it is in the midst of our challenges that we find ourselves illumined by the Light of Amida's Compassion. When we see ourselves in the Light of Compassion, this awakening imparts us with a lasting sense of peace that helps to get us through life.
Shinran taught that the true meaning of a person's life is determined by living with awareness of the Buddha's compassion moment to moment throughout one's life. The spirit of mindfulness and gratitude in which the words "Namo Amida Butsu" are recited is the key to our happiness.
Rev. Ty Unno wrote that for us to be grateful for anything, we must be able to recognize and acknowledge things done for us. He explained that the original term for gratitude in Japanese is "On" which primarily means kindness, goodness, grace, etc. Everything that we receive in life that sustains us is by virtue of on.
“Shinran taught that the true meaning of a person’s life is determined by living with awareness of the Buddha’s compassion moment to moment throughout one’s life. The spirit of mindfulness and gratitude in which the words “Namo Amida Butsu” are recited is the key to our happiness.”
Another meaning for on is our appreciation for this gift of life and our deep wish to compensate or repay it which is conveyed in the word gratitude. It is this word that is the basic ethical principle in the life of many Buddhists. Traditionally in Buddhism we speak of the Four Gratitudes - to Mother, Father, Buddha and Teacher of the Dharma. They give us life, nourish us and enrich our existence. To them we ought to feel infinite gratitude. We must be able to recognize and acknowledge things done for us. If we are not aware of the good that comes our way, no matter how many blessings we receive, there is no way that we can feel any sense of gratitude. There are so many things that others have done and are doing for us that we never know about. Not only do we fail to recognize the favors and kindnesses that others have done for us because of our egos (self-concern), we are unaware of the pain that we may have inflicted on others. Reflecting on the Four Gratitudes - Mother, Father, Buddha and Teacher of the Dharma-how many of us really and truly live in thankfulness for the countless gifts we receive from them? As we go about our daily activities, let us reflect on this life and cherish the memories with joy, remembrance and deep gratitude.
Jeff Wilson writes in his article Path of Gratitude: "As a Shin Buddhist, my primary practice is not meditation, sutra study, ritual or precepts. All of these can be valuable, but in Shin Buddhism our main focus is the practice of gratitude through the recitation of the Nembutsu, Namo Amida Butsu. For Shin Buddhists being aware of our interconnectedness involves being aware of the teachings of Amida Buddha and Shinran Shonin and to acknowledge the generosity of all who come into our lives."
Let us reflect each day on our amazing good fortune to simply be who we are, just as we are, in the here and now. And let us appreciate and make the very most of each miraculous day. Namo Amida Butsu!
It is with sincere gratitude I say aloha to all of you and look forward to visiting Windward Buddhist Temple whenever I can. With a warm smile and with hands together in deep respect, Namo Amida Butsu!