December - January 2012 Message
Lest We
Forget
During a past Sunday service I spoke about Remembrance
Day and the need to thank those who died so that we might have freedom,
and the debt we owe to them. A simple thank you is a start but in
keeping with the theme of gratitude are we prepared to pay it forward?
The Second World War was perhaps one of the few wars
where we can say that the main objective was to stave off the oppression
of Germany and preserve freedom. Many of us can truly appreciate the
sacrifice, and in fact feel truly indebted to those who sacrificed part
of or entire lives so that we may enjoy the benefit.
Our Sangha is growing and becoming very diverse so the
message I tried to impart falls on many differing backgrounds and
personalities. To those of my generation and background the war was
primarily a noble and righteous endeavour.
However, there are many members in our Sangha who would
have a much different view of the war. To many Canadians who have
Japanese ancestry, the Second World War marked a point in history where
their freedoms were taken away for no reason other than the fact that
they were of Japanese descent. Property was confiscated without
retribution, families uprooted, separated and forced into camps similar
to prisoner of war camps.
To practice Right View is to continuously attempt to see
and understand the world through another’s eyes and experiences. To
practice Right Action is to be vigilant and determined that abuse and
injustice is never repeated.
Thank you to those that kept the Nembutsu alive through
that difficult period and in gratitude may we all keep the temple and
Sangha free from injustices and discrimination in the now and future.
May you all enjoy a safe holiday full of the true riches
of the season; joy, gratitude and peace. See you in 2012!
Namo Amida Butsu – Sensei James
September - October 2011 Message
Thanks Giving
Which came first, the turkey or the
thanks?……Thanks Giving
Thanks Giving Thanks Giving Thanks Giving
Thanks Giving
Thanks Giving Thanks Giving Thanks Giving
Thanks Giving
Thanks Giving Thanks Giving Thanks Giving
Thanks Giving
Thanks Giving Thanks Giving Thanks Giving
Thanks Giving
Thanks Giving Thanks Giving Thanks Giving
Thanks Giving. . .
Shinran suggested we recite the Nembutsu
as an expression of gratitude for the Buddha's benevolence. To say the
Nembutsu is to live a life of gratitude, a way of saying ‘thank you’ for
something received in the past, life, and saying ‘thank you’ for
something received in the future, birth in the Pure Land.
I hope everyone had a happy Thanksgiving!
In Gassho
Sensei James
September - October 2011 Message
Often I spend
too much time wondering what will happen to me after I die. In a way it
is foolish to even begin to ponder about life after death because the
very answer I am seeking is in the very question. However in Shakyamuni
Buddha’s time many religious leaders and followers were very concerned
about their mortality and if there was some form of life after death but
Buddhism does not try to find immortality.
Instead, what
the Buddha discovered, what he received in his enlightenment was
immeasurable life,
meaning life that cannot be measured. The ocean is too vast and deep to
measure the amount of water in the ocean. There are too many stars in
the sky to count. They are immeasurable. The Buddha discovered
immeasurable life, not immortal life. Immeasurable life means that you
cannot fathom the depth of life; you cannot measure the breadth of this
great immeasurable life.
Immeasurable
life means you cannot measure the meaning, the value of such a life. For
a person who touches and lives with great
immeasurable life, there is neither birth nor death; there is only
bright and shining life. Once the Buddha gave a sermon in which he spoke
not a single word, but instead held up a single flower in his hand. All
of his disciples looked at him, puzzled, wondering what he was trying to
say. On that day, only the disciple Mahakashapa smiled and understood
the Buddha’s message.
The Buddha was
pointing to immeasurable life, by holding up a single flower. A single
flower expresses the essence of life. It lives its life with the
totality of its being. It does not compare itself to the grass or trees,
the rocks or water. It simply lives its one life, with beauty and
radiance.
Amida Buddha is
immeasurable life. When we see the immeasurable beauty and depth of life
in a flower we gassho and bow to Amida Buddha.
Namo Amida
Buddha!
In Gassho - Sensei James
May-June 2011 Message
My
thanks goes out to everyone for organizing and supporting the various
initiatives to raise funds in Calgary for the benefit of the people of
Japan suffering from the devastating earthquake and tsunami in the
Sendai region.
In
addition to co-sponsoring a fund raising film, Departures, with the
Calgary Japanese Community Association and the Calgary Public Library,
our small temple managed to collect a total of $2350 for our Japan
Relief Fund.
Pretty
impressive for a membership of only about 100 people! A big thank you to
all the volunteers and donors!
I
recently became aware of a letter from an individual in Japan who
expressed a message more eloquently and heartfelt than I could ever hope
to write, so instead of my adding a piece to the newsletter I would like
to reprint this as a honour and tribute to the people of Japan.
Sensei
James
A
letter from Sendai, Japan
Things
here in Sendai have been rather surreal. But I am very blessed to have
wonderful friends who are helping me a lot. Since my shack is even more
worthy of that name, I am now staying at a friend's home. We share
supplies like water, food and a kerosene heater. We sleep lined up in
one room, eat by candlelight, and share stories. It is warm, friendly,
and beautiful.
During
the day we help each other clean up the mess in our homes. People sit in
their cars, looking at news on their navigation screens, or line up to
get drinking water when a source is open. If someone has water running
in their home, they put out a sign so people can come to fill up their
jugs and buckets.
It's
utterly amazingly that where I am there has been no looting, no pushing
in lines. People leave their front door open, as it is safer when an
earthquake strikes. People keep saying, "Oh, this is how it used to be
in the old days when everyone helped one another."
Quakes
keep coming. Last night they struck about every 15 minutes. Sirens are
constant and helicopters pass overhead often.
We got
water for a few hours in our homes last night, and now it is for half a
day. Electricity came on this afternoon. Gas has not yet come on. But
all of this is by area. Some people have these things, others do not. No
one has washed for several days. We feel grubby, but there are so much
more important concerns than that for us now. I love this peeling away
of non-essentials. Living fully on the level of instinct, of intuition,
of caring, of what is needed for survival, not just of me, but of the
entire group.
There
are strange parallel universes happening. House is a mess in some
places, yet then a house with futons or laundry out drying in the sun.
People lining up for water and food, and yet a few people out walking
their dogs. All happening at the same time.
Other
unexpected touches of beauty are first, the silence at night. No cars.
No one out on the streets. And the heavens at night are scattered with
stars. I usually can see about two, but now the whole sky is filled. The
mountains around Sendai are solid and with the crisp air we can see them
silhouetted against the sky magnificently.
And the
Japanese themselves are so wonderful. I come back to my shack to check
on it each day, now to send this e-mail since the electricity is on, and
I find food and water left in my entranceway. I have no idea from whom,
but it is there. Old men in green hats go from door to door checking to
see if everyone is OK. People talk to complete strangers asking if they
need help. I see no signs of fear. Resignation, yes, but fear or panic,
no.
They
tell us we can expect aftershocks, and even other major quakes, for
another month or more. And we are getting constant tremors, rolls,
shaking, rumbling. I am blessed in that I live in a part of Sendai that
is a bit elevated, a bit more solid than other parts. So, so far this
area is better off than others. Last night my friend's husband came in
from the country, bringing food and water. Blessed again.
Somehow
at this time I realize from direct experience that there is indeed an
enormous Cosmic evolutionary step that is occurring all over the world
right at this moment. And somehow as I experience the events happening
now in Japan, I can feel my heart opening very wide. My brother asked me
if I felt so small because of all that is happening. I don't. Rather, I
feel as part of something happening that much larger than myself. This
wave of birthing (worldwide) is hard, and yet magnificent.
Thank
you again for your care and Love of me,
With
Love in return, to you all,
Anne
March-April 2011 - Silly Squirrels
There
are several black squirrels that live in the trees across the road from
my house. During the winter squirrels are not true hibernators like
bears but generally only retreat inside when the weather is particularly
harsh. During milder periods they emerge to forage and in the case of
the ones across the street, I watch them expending enormous amounts of
time and energy chasing intruders and jealously defending their
territories.
I was
having the thought that the squirrels would be a lot wiser to save their
energy and simply share the space as there seems to be an inexhaustible
supply of trees and food in the area. One of the neighbours down the
street puts food out for the birds and of course the squirrels take full
advantage of this endless supply also. Maybe this gives them a sense of
security but wouldn’t it be smarter to conserve energy for winter
survival until the warmer days of spring and summer arrive? If energy
wasn’t expended chasing some potential rival away from some temporary
territorial claim belonging to big black squirrel #1, then that energy
would be avail-able when temperatures dip and just staying warm is the
difference between life and death.
Humans
would never do anything as silly as that would they? People never stake
out a chunk of land and then expend huge quantities of resources and
energy keep-ing others out do they? We never fight and jealously guard
things that I have arbi-trarily labelled as mine even at the expense of
causing death to others and perhaps even myself? We never refuse to
share our resources even though there are abun-dant quantities for all.
Aren’t
humans supposed to be functioning at a higher level of cognisance? Don’t
we, the human race, consider ourselves far superior to other species?
Maybe we should rethink that or change our behaviour? Silly humans.
In
gratitude for an abundance of riches,
Namo
Amida Butsu
Sensei
James
December
Message 2010
Well it
is that time of year again! As we approach Christmas the pace of life
can become hectic and often has us rushing about with last minute
shopping and parties with coworkers, family and friends. As an
"enlightened" former Christian I still like to wish everyone a very
merry……..um…….holiday season! Actually I still often wish friends and
family a Merry Christmas even though technically, coming from a
Buddhist, it may not seem quite kosher. Yet, to me, any event that
encourages us to practice a little extra kindness, Dana (generosity) and
compassion should be celebrated by all.
Although December 25th is traditionally considered a Christian holiday
season the origin has ties to Roman, Pagan and Germanic cultures. One
theory posits that Christians selected this date to compete with a Roman
festival, the 'birthday of the unconquered sun'. This festival was
placed on the date of the solstice, December 25 as established in 46 BCE
by Julius Caesar because this was on this day that the Sun reversed its
southward retreat and proved itself to be "unconquered." Being a warm
climate lover I appreciate this sentiment and will eagerly anticipate
the moment.
In
case you have forgotten December is a special month for Buddhists
because we also celebrate Bodhi day (day of enlightenment) which falls
on Dec. 8. (We get the best of both worlds living in a predominantly
Christian society!) Shakyamuni conquered Mara (symbolizing doubt and
temptation) and became a Buddha, teaching that the middle path is the
right way. Either extreme is to be avoided. Don't overindulge but do
enjoy the holiday. Don't be a scrooge, yet don't break the bank (unless
you're buying for the Sensei!)
This
year we hope you can save some time & energy and join us at the temple
for a New Years Eve social at 8:00 pm. Bring some snacks and beverages
of choice. We will be ringing the Kansho 108 times as a reminder of the
imperfections humans might possess. The following day is our New Years
day service at 2:30 pm. I hope to see you soon, if not in 2010 then for
sure in 2011!
The
best of the season to all!!
In
Gassho, Namo Amida Butsu
Sensei James
November-December
Message 2010 - Shinjin as Trust
I trust everyone had a nice summer! The weather has been disappointing
but hopefully you found a way to enjoy what we were given because, as
the say-ing goes, ‘the only thing we can’t change is the weather.’
Recently I flew to Vancouver for ministerial duties and a few days later
to visit my daughter in Ottawa. I trusted the pilot, the aircraft and
staff of Westjet to transport me safely and on time. Thankfully
everything went as planned.
In Jodo Shinshu the essence of the 18th vow is that transcending our
diffi-culties occurs solely through Amida’s directing of virtue for our
going forth. This is great Shinjin. Shinran viewed Shinjin as a gift
from Amida. In many of our texts Shinjin has been translated as faith or
trust. However, the word faith often implies a sort of blind following,
so it may be preferable to under-stand Shinjin as meaning ‘trust’.
Maybe this is a challenge for you? I know it certainly is for me.
As I see it, there are two kinds of trust that need to be examined. The
first kind is based on a conscious decision and willingness to trust
after a careful review of the facts, and is based on a belief of a
certain outcome. The sec-ond kind of trust is more of a spiritual trust
not rooted in another person or thing.
The first trust, a relative trust may be temporarily broken or lost and
we have to struggle to repair it, but what about a loss of trust that is
far greater, per-haps a loss of trusting the course of life itself? Our
own logic and self-will power may not carry us through a spiritual
dilemma such as; ‘Nothing makes sense in my life, how do I carry on?’ In
such extreme situations our equilibrium and sense of control is lost and
we may never recover on our own.
I think it is in this scenario that the true gift of Shinjin shines and
shows us the path. When things fall apart this gift of spiritual trust
directed to us by Amida helps us carry on through our darkest moments.
Paradoxically, often it is when we relinquish control that a sense of
peace and enjoyment arises. This ability to trust ‘other power’ in such
difficult times is truly a gift.
The trusting of Nembutsu does not ask us to blindly follow or do
anything against our better judge-ment, but it does ask us to remain
open minded and to listen deeply to the world around us, not just with
our ears but also our hearts.
I may always be full of doubt and apprehension about people, planes
staying in the air and the latest weather forecast but hopefully all of
us as Jodo Shinshu followers will receive the true trust of Nem-butsu.
Namo Amida Butsu
Sensei James
September-October Message
Recently, as a representative for Canada, I attended a conference for
BCA ministers. The guest speaker was Sensei Taira Sato, who has been
teaching Shin Dharma in London for the past 15 years.
Sensei Sato was a student of D. T. Suzuki and spent many years
studying under his guidance and translating many of his writings. D.T.
Suzuki is probably most famous for introducing Zen Buddhism to the west
through lectures and translated works. However Sensei Suzuki was also a
follower of Shin Buddhism and towards the end of his life was in the
process of translating Kyogyoshinsho, Shinran's major writing.
Unfortunately he passed away before finishing the translation.
It was very obvious that Sensei Sato felt a deep sense of gratitude
and affection for D.T. Suzuki. At times, his recollections moved him
close to tears.
I was reminded of Shinran's high regard for Honen, and their
teacher-student relationship. Shinran always felt deeply indebted to
Honen for introducing him to a new way of understanding the Nembutsu.
The Zen tradition places great emphasis on finding the right teacher.
Shin Buddhism does not follow this ideology per se, but recognizes that
teachers are all around us. In fact we can consider the Nembutsu as a
teacher guiding us towards wisdom and enlightenment. Perhaps we do not
immediately hear this in the words, but it may manifest in other ways.
When we gather at the Temple we are surrounded by other followers of
the Nembutsu who can become our teachers. These teachers are not
necessarily scholars with titles or degrees but are still very capable
of showing us the path of 'great living', the Shin Buddhist path.
As we begin a new year of gathering, please remember that we need you
at the Temple, as a fellow traveler on the path, and as a teacher. I
hope to see all of you many times during the next year.
Namo Amida Butsu
James Sensei |
