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 May

The Mirror Within My Childrens' Eyes
by J.K. Hirano

Through hearing the shinjin of the wise, the heart of myself, Gutoku (foolish/stubble-haired), becomes manifest: The shinjin of the wise is such that they are inwardly wise, outwardly foolish. The heart of Gutoku is such that I am inwardly foolish, outwardly wise.

-- Gutoku's Notes, CWS, pg. 587

One of the wonderful aspects of being a Buddhist priest is that beside experiencing one's own life. Through the people I have met and the multitude of experiences I have been allowed to be a part of through the temple, I am allowed to see the vibrance of and variety of many lives. It is a wonderful chance to taste the joy of living within the nembutsu. There are indeed times of great sadness. The death of a loved one or experiencing the sickness of our self or others. Even the monotony of paying bills and not getting the toys you want, adds to our sadness. Yet life is filled with times of great happiness and joy. Why is it, that some people, seem to hold on to the moments of sadness and forget to taste this joy that life has to offer.

One of my favorite Japanese phrases is "Shoshin wasururu." I'm not exactly sure of the exact pronunciation, but it means,"to not forget the beginner's mind. This phrase is usually used in reference to one of the Japanese arts, such as Shodo, Ikebana or martial arts. However, I feel that it should be used in reference to life itself. When we are young, there are times we experience moments of such happiness. We know we are living in a magical world. Anything is possible and each day we discover a new sense of appreciation for the taste of life. As we grow up and our hearts often break, the magic seems to disappear. Is the magic truly gone? Or merely blurred by our own ego and sense of self importance?

I have been blessed to live with two wise and foolish beings named Kacie and Taylor, my daughters. There are times when they fight and cry over not getting what they want. They are often frustrated and angry over the world not giving them what they want. Yet in the next moment, they may be laughing and playing. If they have a choice of laughing and playing or fighting and crying, I have seen that ninty nine percent of the time, they would rather laugh and play. Why is it that they are able to easily choose to laugh and play, rather than fight and cry? As Buddhists, our practice simply stated, is to look at our true and real selves. The Buddha teaches us, we are fine as we are. Last month during Bodhi Day, I spoke of potential. Each of us has the potential of becoming Buddha. What keeps us from being Buddha or reaching our full potential, is our ego. The Buddha, in saying we are okay, as we are, is able to see beyond our ego selves. When we are attached to our ego selves, we are choosing to fight and cry.

We are thinking, "I deserve better. Why did this happen to me? Me! Me! Me!" Our suffering is self created. Through our ego, we expect the world to revolve around us. As adults, we should realize that the world does not revolve around us. Yet, everyday we become frustrated when we rediscover this fact. The older we get, it often seems that we are less able to choose to laugh and play.

It is important that we try to look at our selves in a mirror devoid of ego. This mirror is offered to us through the Nembutsu teachings. It is also offered to us in many other ways. For myself, I am offered this gift, through the eyes of my children. As they grow, I can once again experience the wonders of seeing things with new eyes. "Daddy, why do you you have wrinkles on your hands and face? Daddy why do I have to go to school?" All of these questions provide me the opportunity to rethink or to reflect upon the wonders of life.

My life also has moments of sadness and pain. However, my daughters have allowed me the chance to choose to laugh and play, rather than fight and cry. It is the mirror within the eyes of my children, that reflects, the wonders of the world. As we laugh and play, fight and cry, all I can respond with is, "Namo Amida Butsu."

On May 19th, we will be celebrating Shinran Shonin's birthday, Gotan-E. Our guest speaker will be Rev. Dennis Shinseki of the Mt. View Buddhist Temple. We will also celebrate parent's day and before the service, have hatsu mairi or infant presentation. If there are any babies that would like to be presented to the Sangha at this time, please fill out the form and let me know. Please join us on this very special day.

Infant Presentation (Hatsu Mairi) -- May 19

On Sunday, May 18, we will be holding an infant presentation service. This service is for any child born into our Sangha over the past year. During the ceremony, the child will be brought to the front of the naijin. This service is to help begin the child's first steps along the Nembutsu path. The child is presented before the Buddha and Sangha. The child will then take part in the three treasures and be presented with a monto shikisho and nenju. Those interested please fill in the form and return it to the temple.

Infant's name:
Date of birth:
Parents' Names:
Address:
Phone:

2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006