Buddhist Thoughts is the SLC Buddhist Temple newsletter which is mailed to Temple members each month. Here we provide excerpts from archival Buddhist Thoughts.

2000 March

Slam Dunk Incense Burning
by J.K. Hirano

From the offspring of those who entertain loving thoughts towards holy scriptures and who collect and store them are likely to come out persons who cherish loving thoughts towards the Buddhist Teaching. Those who have once come in touch with the Buddhist teaching are likely to awaken in the teaching, though they may appear absent minded.

Goichidaikikikigaki

There are many aspects of the Buddhist teaching and tradition that may seem quite strange and alien to those that haven't been raised as Buddhists. I have been trying to get Kacie to say "Namo Amida Butsu." She's getting a little better, but still has a way to go. I also enjoy watching the parents at our Dharma School teach their children to oshoko (incense burning). In our western society, bowing isn't a natural act. We teach our children to shake hands and look the other person straight in the eyes. Teaching our children is important. However, how far do we need to go in explaining the details of our Buddhist tradition.Let me use a personal example from when I was a child growing up at our temple. For most of the rituals at our temple, rather than verbally explaining them to me, I learned by watching the adults. I recognized that many of the things done at the temple were customs that were brought to the U.S. from Japan. More so than now, much of the services during my childhood, were done in Japanese. Therefore, I assumed, the ones that should know the most, must be the Japanese, like my Jichan (Grandfather). Now that I am older, I recognize that my Jichan was quite a colorful character, with definite eccentricities. However, as a child, I was somewhat in awe of him. I really never knew exactly what he was saying, but I knew that other adults respected him. I had learned from my Father that Jichan had been a school teacher in California, before they came to Utah. As a result, I figured that Jichan must know the right and wrong way to do things at the temple.One of these things that Jichan set the standard for was in how to oshoko. I remember vividly how Jichan would solemnly step to the koro (incense burner), take a pinch of the powdered incense and wave it in front of his head, for what seemed like minutes. He would whip that incense around his nose and forehead, like a professional basketball player might whip around a basketball, while spinning it on his finger. If Jichan could have, it wouldn't have surprised me if he would have flipped that incense behind his back and slam dunked it into the burner. After this little show, Jichan would dramatically place his hands together in Gassho and loudly begin his Namandabus. Jichan didn't just say "Namo Amida Butsu" softly one to three times. Jichan's "Namandabus," would feel the hondo and echo round a few times. The first time I heard this. I was actually a little embarrassed. However, I figured Jichan must know what he was doing. I didn't copy him, but I figured the proper way to oshoko was like Jichan did.When I first went to Japan and entered Chuo bukkyo Gakuin to begin my studies there to become a priest. The teacher in my class on rituals and chanting asked me to oshoko. I thought to myself, "No problem, just do what Jichan did." So as I was whipping the incense around my head and getting ready to pass it between my legs in preparation for the slam dunk, I thought to myself, "I must really be impressing this teacher, I bet he's wondering where this American learned Japanese Buddhist tradition so well." As I was daydreaming about my impressing the teacher, I was startled to hear the teacher shout, "Aho, nani shiteru no....!" My Japanese wasn't that good, but I understood that. He was shouting, "Idiot! What are you doing?"I felt a my whole body freeze from embarrassment. Here I was thinking about how this teacher was going to praise my for my knowledge of the ritual of burning incense and instead he calls me an idiot. Sensing my embarrassment, he kindly explained to me the proper way to oshoko. Bow about two steps before the koro, not too low, just a slight bow from the waist. With the left foot first, take two steps forward, to the koro. Take the lid off the powdered incense holder (here in America the lid is usually off and to the side). Take a small pinch of the incense and simply place it in the burner. Don't put it up to your head, whip it around, no theatrics are required. Put your hands together in Gassho, hands at approximately chest level, gently bow. Replace the lid of the incense container, step back two steps starting with your right foot and bow once again. As you walk away, try to not turn your back toward the "Honzon" (the statue of Amida Buddha at our temple). This was the proper way to oshoko in our Nishi Honganji tradition. No showboating is necessary and slam dunking is definitely our of place. Although Jichan's way to oshoko may not have been technically correct. What I learned from Jichan and my parents, was that the Dharma and the temple's activities were important. Jichan may not have known everything, but his way to oshoko was done with the utmost of sincerity and respect. As the quote I began this month's article with alludes to, if you entertain loving thoughts towards the Dharma, so will your children and grandchildren. In the same manner, if the temple and its activities are nothing more than something you have to do or participate in. This same attitude will be passed onto the succeeding generations.

To be honest, that last sentence from this quote has always confused me a little. What does Rennyo mean by absent minded. I see it as a Rennyo's way of telling me, "Lighten up. It is okay to make mistakes or be absent minded, as long as you embrace the teachings, everything else will fall into place." However, that the subject of another article..."Namo Amida Butsu."

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