Salt Lake Buddhist Temple

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

Earlier in the day, Ms. Tuttle his first grade teacher had asked the students to stand up and tell the class what they would be doing over their Holiday Vacation. When it was his turn, Jared proudly stood up and explained to the class what his family would be doing.

"First of all, on Christmas Eve we go to the Koyo, my favorite Japanese restaurant and have dinner with my family. My cousins and I see who can eat the most gyoza and shrimp tempura."

"Jared, could you explain to the class what gyoza and shrimp tempura are?" Said, Ms. Tuttle.

Jared made a sheepish face at his teacher and explained, "Gyoza is like a little fried Japanese burrito and shrimp tempura is shrimp with bread stuff on the outside."

"After we finish dinner, we go to my Auntie's house for dessert. My cousins and I get to open up a few presents. After we get home, I put on my new pajamas. Every year my sister and I get new pajamas. It's in the present Mom always makes us open up on Christmas Eve. I always have a hard time falling asleep on Christmas Eve, but my Mom says the new pajamas help.

On Christmas morning my sister and I run to wake our parents. But before we can open our presents, my Dad makes us go to our Obutsudan and say thank you to Buddha."

"The Obutsudan is our little Buddhist altar we have at home. Jeez...Ms. Tuttle you sure ask a lot of questions. Didn't you go to college?"

"Sorry Jared. Yes, I went to college, but some of the things you are explaining are a little different then what some of us are accustomed to."

"No Jared, we all have different ways of celebrating the Holidays, that's why I wanted you all to tell us what you do."

"Oh? I get it. When we stand in front of the Obutsudan, we say thank you Buddha by saying, 'Namo Amida Butsu.' That's how we say it in Buddha language. My Dad says that Santa is always checking to see if we are grateful for what we have. If we aren't grateful, he might take the presents back. So after we do that, we get to open up our presents. In the evening we go to my other Auntie's house for Christmas dinner."

"Jared, what is uhh..mochi?" Jared looked at his teacher with a surprised look. "You don't know what mochi is either?"

"I'm afraid I don't Jared and probably many of the other students don't know either."

"Well...mochi is smashed rice that we pound with a big wooden hammer in a stone bowl until it gets soft and squishy."

"We then make it into little flat balls. Some of it we eat and some we pile onto a plate with two pieces of mochi stacked with a tangerine on top. We put that mochi in our Obutsudan. My Mom says that the mochi is to express thanks to the Buddha and it expresses my Dad and her wish that my sister and I stay strong and healthy. After we make mochi we have a New Year's Eve service at the Temple. After the service we ring the temple's bell 108 times."

"I'm not really sure, but it has something to do with ringing out the old year, I think? Ms. Tuttle I'm not sure why we do everything ya know. You could probably ask my Mom. I think she knows."

"Well, once everyone has rang the bell we get together and eat noodles. When we wake up on New Year's morning, we go to the Obutsudan like on Christmas and then we eat mochi soup."

"We eat the soup and then go to the temple. After that we get money from my grandparents and all my other aunts and uncles. It's called Toshi something, I'm not sure why we get it, but I'm glad I get it."

"After going to the temple, we go to my Bachan's house and have a big feast, with all kinds of Japanese and American food. It's really cool."

"Well, thank you Jared that certainly was informative for all of us." Jared sat down feeling rather good about himself. At 2:45 the bell to go home rang. It was then that the trouble began.

In the hallway, as Jared was putting his coat on to go home, Nathan and Jackson came up to Jared and said, "What's all that ooga booga buddha stuff Jared? Christmas is only for good Christians. Christmas is Jesus' birthday not Buddha's."

"Yeah," said Jackson. "Mochi, pochi.. it sounds like poop to me. You eat poop and say ooga booga Buddha. Santa doesn't like Buddha boys and poop eaters. Santa isn't going to come to a Buddha boy's house. He comes to our house because we believe in Jesus and it's his birthday."

Jared could feel tears starting to well in his eyes. He didn't want anyone to see him cry. He was so mad that he just pushed Nathan and Jackson out of his way and ran out of the school. All the way home all he could hear was "Ooga Booga Buddha, Santa isn't going to come to a Buddha boy's house."

All of these thoughts ran through Jared's mind as he laid in his bed. There was a soft knock on his door. "Jared? Can I come in? Is everything okay?" It was his Mother. "I don't feel to good mom." The door to Jared's room opened and his mom came in, with his sister Kacie tagging along. His mother sat down next to Jared and felt his forehead. "You do feel a little warm. I hope you aren't coming down with something." Kacie jumped on Jared's bed. Kacie was Jared's four year old sister. Kacie put her face right up to Jared's, "Jared's been crying, Jared's been crying ha ha ha ha haa ha," said Kacie. "Kacie!" Scolded their mother. "Jared, is something wrong? Please tell me what's the matter." Jared began to cry and Jared's mom held him in her arms as he somehow managed to tell her the things that had happened at school.

"Oh Jared. I'm so sorry that you had to go through all that," his mother lovingly told him. "I know it can sometimes be difficult being Japanese and Buddhist, living here in America. When I was little, I would get teased at school too."

"Yes I did and so did your Father. It isn't always easy. But there is nothing to be ashamed of by being Japanese or Buddhist. Like we always tell you and Kacie, you should be very proud of being Japanese and Buddhist. Some people can be mean, but it's because they don't know any better. I'm really sorry that you had to go through this. But some times we have to go through hurtful things to really grow up. I'm really proud of you for saying what you did in school today."

"Very proud Jared, you are a very special boy to be able to stand up in class and say those things." Jared sat up in bed looking up into his mother's kind eyes. "Really mom? But what about Santa and what Nathan and Jackson said about Santa not liking Buddha boys?"

"I don't think Santa would agree with them. I'd have to wonder what Santa would think about Nathan and Jackson's behavior today. Jared when you think of Santa, tell me what you think of?"

"He wants all of us kids to be kind and gentle to one another. He watches what we're doing to make sure we're good in that way."

"That's right Jared. Do you remember the Golden Chain that we say in Dharma School?"

"I am a link in Amida Buddha's golden chain of love that stretches around the world."

Kacie and his mom joined him as they continued, "I will keep my link bright and strong. I will be kind and gentle to every living thing and protect all who are weaker than myself. I will think pure and beautiful thoughts, say pure and beautiful words, and do pure and beautiful deeds. May every link in Amida's golden chain of love be bright and strong, and may we all attain perfect peace."

"Well Jared. I'm not an expert on Jesus since I'm Buddhist. But everything I've heard about Jesus seems to tell me that Jesus was trying to follow the golden chain in his life. What good Christians try to do is to follow his example. As Buddhists we are trying to be kind and gentle to every living thing just as he did. Jesus had a thing called the Golden rule. It goes, 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.' What that means is that you shouldn't do to other people, what you wouldn't want them to do to you."

"That kind of sounds like the way Sensei explained the Golden Chain to us. Since we are all links in the golden chain, we shouldn't do anything bad to one another. Because what I do effects everyone else in the chain. Do you think Sensei is Christian?"

"No Jared, Sensei is definitely not Christian. But what Sensei, your Father and I hope you learn and what the Christians hope their children learn are very similar in many respects . If that's the case, I don't see anything wrong with a Buddhist celebrating such a kind and smart man's birthday. Do you?"

"No Mom, you're right. I think it's good for us to say Namo Amida Butsu to Jesus for having such a good birthday. Is Nathan and Jackson's religion just like mine?"

"No Jared. There are many things that are different. However, when it comes to what people often call the spirit of Christmas."

"The spirit of Christmas is the good feeling that comes over most people during this time of year. You know how when we visit the malls and you see the children laughing and smiling with their mommies and daddies."

"That's a lot of fun, isn't it Mom." Jared said, smiling and snuggling up to his mother.

"It sure is honey. This feeling which goes beyond just our family but spreads out as a feeling of kindness and generosity to everyone. This lesson is similar in most religions. Although we are Buddhist, this Christmas spirit is the heart of Buddhism."

"You mean even though Nathan and Jackson may be mean, I should be kind and gentle back to them? That's kind of hard to do."

"Well, what do you think Jared? Would you want them to feel bad like they made you feel?"

"No Mom, I'll just Christmas spirit them back. Kind and gentle to every living thing, even Nathan and Jackson."

"Well you had better get ready for dinner. Tonight's Christmas Eve so we have to hurry to Koyo as soon as Dad gets home."

That night, Jared and his family had a wonderful Christmas Eve together. Jared and Kacie dressed in their new pajamas, snuggled down in their beds with visions of gyoza and shrimp tempura dancing in their heads. During the middle of the night Jared was awakened from his slumber and to his amazement. As he heard a ringing of bells, he also heard a bright jolly voice proclaim, "Namo Amida Butsu, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

Since many of the traditions and words that Jared has expressed in this story are not fully understood or recognized by many, I thought it would be helpful to have a short glossary as reference. It is important to understand it for yourself. However, as is the case with Jared not knowing why the bell is rung 108 times on New Year's Eve, if your child or grandchild were to ask you, it's nice to know the answers or to learn them together. Many of these traditions are slowly changing or being forgotten. I feel that it is important that we maintain some of them for the benefit of future generations to know who they are and where they come from.

I have used a variety of sources for this glossary. I will recommend some of them to you at the end.

Amida Buddha: Amida Buddha is the central Buddha within the Jodo Shinshu belief. Within the Obutsudan Amida is the single buddha embodied there. Amida Buddha is not a God or deity. Amida is the anthropomorphic representation of Ultimate Truth, Wisdom and Compassion. Amida is the Japanese reading of the original Sanskrit name combing two names, Amitabha (infinite light), and Amitayus (infinite life). This represents the unlimited aspect of this Truth, beyond time and space.

Butsudan: The Obutsudan is a Buddhist altar used by Buddhist families in their homes. The character "O"that is placed before many of the words in this glossary are honorific. In Jodo Shinshu Buddhist families, the Obutsudan can vary in size and shape, from a small scroll to an elaborate wooden box with varying degrees of ornamentation. Inside the Obutsudan, the most common central image is of Amida Buddha or the six characters that say "Namo Amida Butsu." Some Obutsudan contain drawers in which the family places important records. Such as, the names of deceased family members or the Buddhist names of the family.

Traditionally each family has an Obutsudan placed in a central area of the home or special room. This signifies the central importance of the Buddhist teachings within the family's life. Daily offerings of rice or various items are placed in or outside the altar. The family conducts daily rituals such as incense burning, sutra chanting or merely coming before the altar and placing their hands together in gassho and reciting the Nembutsu.

Dharma School: Dharma meaning teaching of the Buddha. The name Dharma School was adopted by the Buddhist Churches of America to differentiate between the Christian Sunday School. However, most Dharma Schools are held on Sunday mornings.

Golden Chain: A short poem to teach children about the basic intent of the Buddha's teaching. Recited at Dharma School services with children taking turns leading the others.

Gyoza: Small, crescent shaped, pan fried Japanese dumpling, usually filled with minced pork and vagetables.

Joya-E: This literally means last night gathering. This is the year end service held at the Temple. At this service, it is a time for all the members to get together to reflect on the past year and express gratitude for the various causes and conditions, both good and bad, that have made it possible for them to live this one year.

Many temples will ring their temple bell 108 times. This is called Joya-E no Kane (the bell of the last night). The 108 symbolically represents the 108 passions or bonno which afflict us human beings. This ringing of the bell is a reminder of the 108 passions that entangle us. The bell is rung as a reminder to try to go beyond our ego attachments in the coming year. However, if we are unable, we recognize that within the Nembutsu we are fine.

Kagami Mochi: Meaning Mirror Mochi, also called kasane mochi (piled mochi). Since Heian times this has been served on all festive occasions. It is called kagami mochi because of its shape, which is similar to the traditional Japanese mirror. It is also called Kasane Mochi since the New Year's offering of mochi on the altar is made up of two cakes stacked one on top of the other. On the top of this mound is placed a tangerine or orange. Traditionally the citrus fruit was a yellow orange fruit called a dai-dai. This fruit would turn yellow orange in the winter but turn green again if left on the tree until spring. This seeming return to youth came to represent the prosperity of children from age to age. The term "from age to age" is also pronounced daidai in Japanese.

Mochi: A rice cake; a rice cake made from glutinous rice. The steamed rice is pounded in a big wooden mortar with a wooden mallet until it takes on a sticky consistency. The soft mochi is then rolled into round cakes or is spread into a large square to be cut into smaller pieces. The making of mochi is called Mochitsuki. Traditionally Mochitsuki was done in many households during the holiday season. Now many Buddhist Temples or Japanese social groups pound mochi before the holidays as a cultural and fund raising event. It is a custom to eat mochi on New Year's Day since it is regarded as a good omen.

Nembutsu: Literally means Think Buddha. In Pure Land Buddhism, Nembutsu refers to saying Namo Amida Butsu (I take refuge in Amida Buddha). This recitation is the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha being expressed in our everyday life. It is not a prayer, petition or mantra. It is our expression of gratitude for the Amida Buddha's wisdom and compassion surrounding us at all times and for the various causes and conditions in our life that allow us to exist.

Sensei: Literally meaning one who has lived before, it roughly translates as teacher. However, the title is used for Doctors, teachers, priests or any respected elder.

Tenpura:Also spelled tempura. Japanese fritters. A battered covering that is used over a variety of food stuffs, such as, vegetables, shrimp etc.

Toshikoshi-soba: Buckwheat noodles traditionally eaten on New Year's Eve. The word Soba which are buckwheat noodles, is the homophone for "close" i.e. the new year is close.

Toshidama: Otoshidama literally means the year's gem. This is a small monetary gift given to children or young employees in small businesses on New Year's Day. Children receive it from parents or relatives when they first exchange their new year's greetings. The custom of Otoshidama developed in the late Muromachi Period where there was a custom of exchanging gifts among the Nobles and Samurai.

Sechi-ryori: Literally meaning dishes on seasonal festive occasions. Usually referred to as Osechi-ryori. These are the special foods eaten during the New Year. In Japan most households do not cook during the three days of the New Year celebration. Therefore beforehand, dishes are prepared to be eaten during the Holidays. A formal traditional set consists of four boxes of food: the first box on top is arranged with appetizers, such as, kazunoko (herring roe), kuromame (black soybeans), tatsukuri (candied small dried sardines), kamaboko (sliced fish cake), kinton (smashed sweet beans of chestnuts). The second box contains broiled foods, such as, tai (sea bream) or ebi (either shrimp or lobster). The third box contains boiled foods, such as, nimono (boiled foods), kobumaki (kelp rolls) and a variety of vegetables. The fourth box contains vinegared foods, such as, sushi and other delicacies.

Most of these foods symbolically represent a variety of good wishes for the New Year. For example, kazunoko represents prosperity for the descendants, tatsukuri is a homonym for cultivating the fields kobu rhymes with the word for rejoice yorokobu and tai rhymes with celebration Omede-tai. Within most Japanese American families, a combination of some or all of these foods are included with a variety of western dishes.

Shochikubai: Literally means Pine-Bamboo-Plum. This is the traditional arrangement usually placed in homes or on the altar during the New Year's Holidays. Pine branches were used to represent long life, since they are evergreen. The bamboo is the symbol of endurance and resiliency since it bends but doesn=t break. The plum is the first to bloom in late winter, symbolizing hardiness.

Shusho-E: This service is the first service of the year. Traditional observance of Shusho-E began in the Nara period and lasted for seven day in all the temples of Japan. Although these services are not a traditionally part of the Jodo Shinshu tradition. Since the mind of gratitude is to be expressed through the Nembutsu no matter what time of year. The New Year's Day and New Year's Eve service have become traditional parts of many Jodo Shinshu temples in the United States.

Zoni: Meaning mixed boil, also called Ozoni. Is a soup made with broth and mochi. It is a traditional soup eaten on New Year's Day morning. If the mochi stretches and sticks as you eat it, it is said to be a good omen. The ingredients vary by the area of Japan they are made in. Some areas use miso as the broth, while others will use a clear broth made from either chicken or fish. Some areas will add seafood, vegetables and other condiments.

References

Cocktails Reverend Masao Kodani, published by Senshin Temple Publications

Japanese-English Dictionary of Japanese Culture Setsuko Kojima, Gene A. Crane, published by Heian International Inc.

Traditions of Jodoshinshu Honganji-Ha Reverends Masao Kodani and Russell Hamada, published by Senshin Temple Publications

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