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 December

What Can You Give?
by J.K. Hirano

When people see a Bodhisattva performing various practices, some conceive good thoughts while others conceive evil thoughts (towards him), but the Bodhisattva embraces both of them.

-- Kegon Sutra

During this time of year, which we refer to as the Holiday Season, it is a time for children all over the world to make their Christmas wish list.  Kacie meticulously reads the inserts for the toy stores, marking down all the items she hopes Santa will bring to her.  I hope Santa will treat my children well.  However, it is my deeper wish, that Kacie and Taylor will learn that the true meaning of Christmas lies in compassion, love and giving, rather than receiving.For many of us adults, Christmas is a time of shopping and buying.  I saw in the newspaper how people were waiting in front of some stores, hours before they opened, to get a good deal during the sales the day after Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving and Christmas have become extremely commercial.  Even we adults have a tendency to forget about the true meaning of these holidays.

I was reminded of my own inability to truly give the other day.  As I stopped at the seven eleven to pick up a donut and cup of coffee.  Entering the store a man opened the door for me.  At first I thought he was a house painter, since his pants were stained with paint splatters and he was wearing heavy black work boots.  However, as I looked up, he was wearing a beat up army jacket, with an old army blanket wrapped around his shoulders.  His face was weather worn with an unkempt beard and hair.  He was wearing an old hat that covered his ears.  He had a rather hoarse cough as he walked into the store.  I was wondering if he had any money.  I proudly thought to myself, "If he wants a cup of coffee, I'll buy it for him."  However, this man walked to the napkins and pulled some from the dispenser.  I watched him as he walked back outside and stood by the garbage cans, huddled by an old bag and some newspapers, sipping from a cup of water. By that time, I had gotten my coffee and donut.  I gave the clerk $5.00 and received a couple dollars in change.  Once again my ego inflated, I was determined to give this man my change.  I thought, "This is a good way to start the day.  I bet he'll really appreciate this money."  There had been a lady in the store ahead of us.  She was carrying a heavy corduroy jacket.  I watched her approach the man and offer him her coat.  I overheard him tell her, "I have plenty to wear, this jacket and blanket keep me pretty warm, thanks.  But I don't need it."  The woman didn't say anything, she just put her coat back on and got in her car and left.  I was astounded and embarrassed, by my own arrogance.  Thinking I was special for offering this man some change.  I walked up and hurriedly gave the man my change, in his gravely voice he thanked me.    I than went to my car and left.  As I drove away, I couldn't get over the generosity of some people.  This woman had offered this man, a complete stranger, the coat off her back.  Here I was puffed up, thinking I was doing a good deed by giving him some change.  There was no way I would have offered him my coat, though I have more than one. 

Each of us wants to think that we are giving and compassionate.  However, it is often difficult to truly give.  This woman was able to offer the man the coat off her back and when rejected, simply walk off.  I wish I had been able to tell her how wonderful I thought her gesture was.

Every Sunday we chant the sutra Ju Sei Ge also called San Sei Ge meaning Gatha of three sacred vows.  These vows are in reference to the vows that Amida Buddha made while he was the Bodhisattvaha Dharmakara.  He vows this to another Buddha by the name of Lokesvaraja.  It is the first of the three Gathas found in The Larger Sutra.  He vows:

1. To establish the most incomparable vow in the world. Ga Gon cho sei gan.  I establish the vows unexcelled.
2. To become a great provider and save the poor and suffering. Ga o mu ryo ko, Fu I dai se shu. I will be the great provider throughout the innumerable kalpas.
3. Attain Buddhahood and have his name heard throughout the ten quarters of the Universe. Myo sho cho jippo, Ku kyo mi sho mon. If my Name were not heard anywhere in the ten quarters, May I not attain Enlightenment.

These vows are the wishes of the bodhisattvha Dharmakara to provide for all sentient beings.  The ability to truly give, is the ability to see all beings as we see our own family.  During this holiday season, let us try to give.  I know it is difficult, however, this is a good time of year to begin.  Once again, I would like to thank each of you for your support of the temple and my family.  We hope that each of you have a very special holiday season.

When people see a Bodhisattva performing various practices, some conceive good thoughts while others conceive evil thoughts (towards him), but the Bodhisattva embraces both of them.

Kegon Sutra

During this time of year, which we refer to as the Holiday Season, it is a time for children all over the world to make their Christmas wish list.  Kacie meticulously reads the inserts for the toy stores, marking down all the items she hopes Santa will bring to her.  I hope Santa will treat my children well.  However, it is my deeper wish, that Kacie and Taylor will learn that the true meaning of Christmas lies in compassion, love and giving, rather than receiving.

For many of us adults, Christmas is a time of shopping and buying.  I saw in the newspaper how people were waiting in front of some stores, hours before they opened, to get a good deal during the sales the day after Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving and Christmas have become extremely commercial.  Even we adults have a tendency to forget about the true meaning of these holidays.

I was reminded of my own inability to truly give the other day.  As I stopped at the seven eleven to pick up a donut and cup of coffee.  Entering the store a man opened the door for me.  At first I thought he was a house painter, since his pants were stained with paint splatters and he was wearing heavy black work boots.  However, as I looked up, he was wearing a beat up army jacket, with an old army blanket wrapped around his shoulders.  His face was weather worn with an unkempt beard and hair.  He was wearing an old hat that covered his ears.  He had a rather hoarse cough as he walked into the store.  I was wondering if he had any money.  I proudly thought to myself, "If he wants a cup of coffee, I'll buy it for him."  However, this man walked to the napkins and pulled some from the dispenser.  I watched him as he walked back outside and stood by the garbage cans, huddled by an old bag and some newspapers, sipping from a cup of water. By that time, I had gotten my coffee and donut.  I gave the clerk $5.00 and received a couple dollars in change.  Once again my ego inflated, I was determined to give this man my change.  I thought, "This is a good way to start the day.  I bet he'll really appreciate this money."  There had been a lady in the store ahead of us.  She was carrying a heavy corduroy jacket.  I watched her approach the man and offer him her coat.  I overheard him tell her, "I have plenty to wear, this jacket and blanket keep me pretty warm, thanks.  But I don't need it."  The woman didn't say anything, she just put her coat back on and got in her car and left.  I was astounded and embarrassed, by my own arrogance.  Thinking I was special for offering this man some change.  I walked up and hurriedly gave the man my change, in his gravely voice he thanked me.    I than went to my car and left.  As I drove away, I couldn't get over the generosity of some people.  This woman had offered this man, a complete stranger, the coat off her back.  Here I was puffed up, thinking I was doing a good deed by giving him some change.  There was no way I would have offered him my coat, though I have more than one. 

Each of us wants to think that we are giving and compassionate.  However, it is often difficult to truly give.  This woman was able to offer the man the coat off her back and when rejected, simply walk off.  I wish I had been able to tell her how wonderful I thought her gesture was.

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