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

2002 January

The Simple Truth
by J.K. Hirano

If the only prayer you say in your whole life is "Thank you", that would suffice.

-- Meister Eckhart

During the holidays season, we are so busy, shopping, preparing gifts, thinking about where we will go, what we will do for Christmas and New Year's Eve and Day. The entire month seems to pass by in a blur. As enjoyable a holiday it may be, it's a relief to get back to a somewhat normal schedule.

As we greet our friends in January, it's common to ask or be asked, "How were your holidays?" Our usual response is "Good, how were yours?" I usually answer in this manner. However, if I were honest, I would really have to think about it and wonder. Yes, I spent time with my family and friends. I went to some parties, Santa seemed to find the appropriate presents for my children, but I'm not sure if I was able to take any time to really reflect on the past year or what was happening.

Now that January is here, I can spend a little more time in thinking thru the blur of the Holidays. I think that January is a good month to think about all of this. Janus, who January is named after, was a god with two faces. With the two faces he could see the past and future. In addition, January is also when we have our Hoonko service, Shinran's memorial service. Within the Nishi Honganji tradition this is the most important observance of the year. It is held to acknowledge our debt of gratitude to Shinran Shonin for opening the Nembutsu teachings for us. At our temple, we also present the annual Dana Award, to one man and woman, who have selflessly given of themselves, for the benefit of our Sangha. A New Year's Party luncheon is usually held following the service.

In other words, January is a time of gratitude. This quote I began with is not from Shinran or Buddha. I did not find it from reading Kyogyoshinsho or Tannisho. I heard it on the Oprah Winfrey Show. I had teachers in Japan and the United States, that have spoken of Meister Eckhart. I had one teacher who told me he believed that Meister Eckhart was an enlightened being. When I heard this quote I was truly amazed at the depth of understanding in this simple phrase. "If the only prayer you say in your whole life is "Thank you," that would suffice."

Although, we do not pray in Buddhism. For we do not believe in pleading for or invoking our own personal desires, which are usually fraught with ego, to change the fabric of the universe. We believe that a true life, is one in which we are grateful for all aspects of our life, the good and the bad. Yet, if by prayer, we mean an expression of our inner most desire. Our true and real heart. Then we as Jodo Shinshu Buddhists are in absolute agreement with these words of Meister Eckhart.

Let us each use this month, as a wonderful opportunity to look at the past year and all of your life in honest self reflection. Honesty doesn't refer merely to fiscal responsibility. Honesty is to look beyond our egotistic desire and see what we have been blessed with and who we really are. If you don't like what you find, change it. Change is the essence of life. I have heard some cynics say, "People don't change." This is a reflection of their own resistance to change and inability to grow as human beings.. If you look at your life and cannot be thankful for what you find and think you are unhappy. Change it.

However, be careful of what you think will give you happiness. True happiness is not a happiness driven by personal ego desires. Happiness is not found in other people or things. Therefore, others cannot be blamed for your happiness or unhappiness. It is not something based upon, what I want, what I need, what I deserve. True happiness can only be found in looking at your self and realizing gratitude for what you have received and moving forward realizing you are embraced just as you are.

Happiness is in understanding gratitude. The ability to say thank you. Now that the holidays have passed, take the time to look deep within your heart. It is my deepest desire, that you will find that you are each in the embrace of great compassion and that is where you will find true happiness. And then your prayer can only come out as "Thank You!" For we Jodo Shinshu Buddhists, this is none other than, "Namo Amida Butsu."

Please join us for our Hoonko service on January 20^th at 10:00 am. Our guest speaker will be Rev. David Matsumoto of Director of the I.B.S. Center for Contemporary Shin Buddhist Studies. I would also like to thank each of you for a wonderful 2001. Your support of my family and I during the past years have made me grateful for each day I am here at the temple. I look forward to seeing many of you this coming year. Thank you so very much, Namo Amida Butsu.

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