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

2001 February

Where Do Our Leaders Come From?
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 once have come in touch with the Buddhist teaching are likely to awaken (in the teaching), though they may appear to be absent-minded.

Goichidaikikikigaki verse 123.

As the New Year, a new millennium and a new government begins, I reflect on the future of our temple. Without a doubt, the most enjoyable part of being a minister, is seeing the children of the temple and to speak with them on a weekly basis. Although I sometimes forget their names, I try to remember each of them. I remember how special it seemed, when Rev. Watanabe, now Bishop Watanabe recognized me by first name. It made me feel as though I were a real member of the temple and it made me feel especially close to the teachings. As I interact with our Dharma School students I am allowed to see the limitless possibilities of the world. Not through the jaded eyes of a forty three year old, but through the eyes of a child.

Although it is a cliché, the children are our future. If our temple has a strong Dharma School program, our temple will be strong in the future. I realize that the seniors and older members of the temple have been giving for the benefit of the temple for much of their lives and the teachings are just as valid and important for them, as it is for the younger generations. In this regard Rennyo Shonin has said, "Men of today should seek to learn of old things. And old people should teach of old things. Spoken words get lost. Written things do not. In this same vein, our temple needs our senior members to guide us in our endeavors. In seeing their grandparents and parents attending service and emphasizing the importance of the Dharma in their lives, our children learn the importance and relevance of the nembutsu teachings.

This is why I have chosen the passage I began this month's article with. When I am asked about where the leadership of the temple comes from, I have seen that it comes from the children of those individuals that have cherished the teachings. There are some of you that may laugh at the last line of this passage, where Rennyo says, "though they may appear to be absent-minded." I view this as Rennyo's way of saying these individuals are not extremely inflexible and self-righteous in their approach to the teachings. These offspring find the teachings as a natural part of their lives. They do not have to go about flaunting their beliefs, but quietly follow the teachings and live them naturally. Our past president, Paul Terashima and our new president our good examples of what I am talking about. Paul is the son of Kay Terashima. Kay has served as the president of our temple 9 terms. Kay and I have talked many times and his knowledge of Jodo Shinshu is quite deep. He continues at the age of 87 to read articles on Jodo Shinshu. However, he is not self-righteous in his knowledge of Jodo Shinshu. It is merely a part of his life. I feel that this attitude has passed down to Paul. As a result, Paul served four years as our temple president and initiated the drive to build a new temple. Wes, our new president of the temple, is the son of the late Mits Koga. Mits served as president of the Ogden Buddhist Temple for many years and so has Wes's brother Mike. In addition, Wes's sister Karen Seo is our Dharma School superintendent and Wes's mom Shiggie has served as the Fujinkai president in Ogden for many years. Since I serve as the supervising minister for Ogden, I can say that without Shiggie Koga, there is a lot that would not happen at the Ogden Temple. This family is a lesson for the children naturally following the model established by their parents. The words of Rennyo are over 500 years old, yet the lessons for us remain relevant. I hope that our temple has a long and rich future. Its foundations have been firmly placed by the Issei and Nisei.< I hope that all of your will see the importance of naturally showing your children the value of the nembutsu teachings in your lives.

Thank you to Paul for the wonderful job he has done over the past 4 years and thank and good luck to Wes as our new President. I hope all of you will support him in his efforts.

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