Dharma Talks

Good morning, everyone!

I am very happy to see you here at Betsuin. Today, I would like to talk about Gassho. Gassho is the most basic basis for Buddhism. Not only Buddhists but also Christians and Muslims do Gassho. Although a few people know it, Shintoists don't do Gassho. So, originally Gassho was not a part of Japanese traditions, but now it is a part of Japanese culture. I said that Gassho is the basis of Buddhism. It is unfortunate, however, that many people don't know how to do it properly. Some may say that he does it like his grandfather or grandmother did. As you may remember, I told you how to do it before. Do you remember? I am afraid you forgot already. Let me ask you a question. Please raise your hand if you remember what you ate last night. See, many of you can't recall it at once. To tell you the truth, I don't remember it, either. Many of us forgot quickly. That's why I am telling you again today.

Before my explanation of the Gassho, I have to tell you why I am talking about it. The Head Office of Nichiren Shu in Tokyo announced that the propagation theme of the year to all temples in the world. This year's theme is “Gassho” so that all priests talk about it at all Nichiren Shu temples. All members and followers are being reminded to practice it again this year. As you remember, we are going to have our Bon Dance on Saturday, Aug. 24th. Our president Keith Nagai, Committee Chair Sandra Taga and other members are working very hard to prepare for it. We will welcome not only our members but also members of community at our Bon Dance. So, I hope all of you will welcome them with Gassho as Buddhists. Especially, when you express your gratitude, please say, “Thank you” or “Mahalo” with Gassho.

Let me tell you how to do Gassho correctly. At first, put your hands together. It is said that the right hand is a sacred hand and it symbolizes the Buddha. The left hand symbolizes us; therefore Gassho symbolizes the unity of the Buddha and us. Do you know what is there between both hands? There must be something between the Buddha and us. Your faith is there between them. If you spread open your fingers, the unity and faith would fall from between your fingers. That's why you need to keep your fingers closed. Next, put your hands on your chest while touching your chin with the tips of your middle fingers. Turn your hands forward 45 degrees. Straighten your back, pull your chin back, relax your shoulders and your arms as though you are holding eggs under your arms. This is the perfect form of Nichiren Shu Gassho. Other Buddhist denominations do Gassho different ways. I believe that this is the most beautiful form of Gassho. It sounds a little difficult, but it is not so hard if you try it. Let me show you again. So, please do it with me. Put your hands together. Keep your fingers closed. Put your hands on your chest touching your chin with the tips of your middle fingers. Turn your hands forward 45 degrees. Straighten your back, pull your chin back, relax your shoulders and your arms. Please memorize this form.

Some may say that if he cannot remember even last night's dinner, how can he remember this form? Don't worry! I am quite sure you can do it. It is because you eat something different dinner every night. That's why you can't remember it. However, the form of Gassho never changes. The form of Gassho is always the same whenever and wherever you go. Members in Hawaii, the US mainland, Japan and Europe do the same Gassho. Once you memorize it, you can do it here in Hawaii, at Minobusan or at the White House, too. Do you know how to memorize the Gassho? The answer is to do Gassho properly every day. Please chant the Odaimoku, Namu-Myoho-renge-kyo, with Gassho in front of your Butsudan, family altar every morning and evening. If you don't have your family altar, please face the sun in the morning and chant the Odaimoku with Gassho. Please chant the Odaimoku with Gassho to express appreciation for welcoming a new morning and to pray for safety and peace of the day. If you do it every day, you will never forget it. If you forget it although you do it every day, please ask us again. You can ask us as many times as you want. And, if you memorize it, please teach it to your family, relatives and friends. To teach is to be taught. To teach it to someone keeps your memory fresh.

Don't you think that the form of Gassho is beautiful? The term, Gassho means putting hands together. However, Gassho is not only a form of hands, but also a form of the whole body and a form of one's mind. Gassho is a form of our faith respecting the Buddha and praying for the peace. Why? We can't do violence to anyone when we do Gassho. Gassho is a form of non-violence or non-hostility. Gassho is a form of our faith and pray. That's why Gassho is beautiful. Please remember this too. Let us pray with Gassho.