“Although I too am within Amida’s embracing light,
blind passions obstruct my eyes, and I cannot see it.
Yet great compassion, without tiring,
illumines me always.”
— Shinran Shōnin
The holiday season has always held a special place in my heart. Across the world, this is a time when many different religions and cultures celebrate—from Christmas to Hanukkah, from Bodhi Day to New Year traditions, and countless others. Although the customs vary, there is a shared feeling that runs through them all: a desire for peace, connection, goodwill, and the renewal of hope. To me, this spirit resonates deeply with our Jōdo Shinshū teachings.
What strikes me each year is how people of every background seem to soften during this season. We become a little more patient, a little more generous, a little more open to one another. Whether it’s hearing Christmas carols, lighting candles, or gathering with loved ones, these traditions point toward something universal—the human longing to feel connected and embraced. Shinran reminds us that even when we cannot see it clearly, we are always held in Amida’s boundless compassion. The holidays, in their many forms, help us catch glimpses of that light.
Just as holidays bring us together, my own family has been a source of light this year. The support and love from Carmela and our family continue to guide me. The new grandkids, Arrow and Rumi, have brought fresh joy into our lives. We get to visit their family with Bala and Katie almost twice weekly. Kacie is finished with school and beginning work. Taylor and Olu seem to be well living and working in the heart of L.A. I am deeply grateful to each of you—our sangha, friends, and extended community. Your kindness, participation, and patience throughout the year have made all our temples and programs possible. You have shown me, again and again, how community can be the true light in uncertain times.
In Jōdo Shinshū, gratitude naturally arises from awakening to the compassion that surrounds us. Shinran wrote that those who realize shinjin are “filled with great joy,” not a joy of perfection, but a joy rooted in being accepted just as we are. During this season, that joy feels especially present. The warmth we feel is not separate from the Dharma—it is another way Amida’s compassionate activity appears in our daily lives.
As the year comes to a close, this season invites us to pause and reflect on the gifts that truly matter. Not the material ones, but the gifts of one another, of shared traditions, of compassion, and of the Nembutsu. The Nembutsu, Amida’s call to us, reminds us that we are never alone—whether we celebrate with family or quietly on our own. It connects us to all beings across cultures, beliefs, and borders.
As we enter the New Year, my hope is that the light of wisdom continues to guide you, the warmth of compassion comforts you, and the Nembutsu sustains you through every season of life.
Thank you for your presence, your support, and your friendship.
May the coming year be one of peace, gratitude, and gentle joy.
Namo Amida Butsu and Happy Holidays!