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 March

Parents and the Pure Land
by J.K. Hirano

In the heart of parents as immense as the universe, nothing is more cherished than a child. Due to the devotion of parents, the child may become successful and be honored like a blossoming flower. And yet, if the grave matter of after-life is neglected, the consequence will be an indescribably painful separation. The parents are burned by the fire of hell. And the child is lost in the darkness of the three evil realms. Eternally separated, they go in opposite directions. If you truly love your child, teach him/her well about the teaching of Buddha, attaining birth in the Buddha land of peace. That is the compassion of parents that forever remains.

Thinking about the joy of parents and children holding their hands again in the Pure Land with flowers abundant, let us say the Nembutsu in gratitude, Namo Amida Butsu, Namo Amida Butsu

-- Dharma Treasures, Parental Love (Oya Gokoro) Ume Hirano

From February 26 through March 2, I was in Tacoma, Washington for the BCA Minister's and National Council Meeting. Although it is an important meeting for BCA, it is a meeting that many of us ministers dread. It is extremely long and no one enjoys staying in a hotel for that many days. While I am at this meeting more times then I can count, my thoughts move out towards Salt Lake and to my children. I wonder what they are doing, what they are eating, are they asleep yet or awake, in general I wonder if they are all right. Physically I am in Tacoma, Washington, but my true self, what I would define as my essence, is right beside my children.

From the time I came home, things were up and running. I was greeted to squeals of "Welcome home Daddy, we missed you." Nothing could ever take the place of that welcome. I had never left them. I was always with them. I have tried to explain this to Kacie, but I imagine it is still a concept that is difficult for her to fully understand. I hope that in time she will understand the depth of my love for her and Taylor. It may take years, for I did not understand the love of my parents, until I was a parent.

After September 11, with the amount I travel, I sat her down one evening while we were by the Obutsudan and explained, "Kacie, if there is ever a time when Daddy doesn't come home I want you to know that I will always be with you in Namo Amida Butsu. Just like you can call out for me now and I am there for you. If something were to happen to Daddy and I couldn't hold you physically. Whenever you put your hands together and say Namo Amida Butsu, Daddy will be there. This is important to understand. She hugged me and told me she understands. When I returned from a trip, I asked her about our conversation. I said, "Kacie, do you know where you can find Daddy, even if I"m not here?" She nodded and put her hands together and said, "You are right here in my heart." With tears in my eyes, I could only respond with, "Namo Amida Butsu.

After returning from Tacoma, I had four funerals the following week One of them was for Harry Tsutsui. He was a very gracious man, that raised two children as a single man and one child with his second wife Kathy. The image I hold of Harry is one with him walking hand and hand with his one hundred year old mother. He would gently take his mother out and walk her to her seat in the bowling alley. Although Harry was sick with emphysema, it was as though he waited for his mother to die before him. Mrs. Tsutsui died a few months earlier at the age of 102. Harry was a great son and a wonderful father. Harry also had two children that died in a fire over fifty years ago. He almost lost his own life trying to save these two children. I am sure that there wasn't a day that went by when Harry didn't think of these two children. Although I'm sure the family was saddened by his physical demise, there was a feeling of peace in my heart, for as the poem I began with states, "Thinking about the joy of parents and children holding hands together in the Pure Land with flowers abundant. I was filled with great peace, Harry, his children reunited, along with his mother.

There are those that would strenuously argue the sentimentality and doctrinal significance of this poem. Maybe they would have some good points to think about. However, as a parent and child who has lost a parent, I must think that there will be a time that we will all be together. Within Jodo Shinshu we have long heard the metaphor for Amida Buddha as our Oya sama (Parent). The love, wisdom and compassion of Amida Buddha is said to be infinite, without limit. I must believe and as a parent I know the strength of a parent's love. The heart of a parent can do amazing things and is something that cannot be trifled with. I hope that each of you will know the power of Namo Amida Butsu.

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