Dharma Talks

Good morning, everyone!

I am glad to see you this morning. At first, let me tell you that we had a great success on our Bon Dance and express my deep gratitude to those who understood and helped our event. Many people came. Although we don't have much parking, the temple grounds were full of people. It was too crowded to walk straight. It was impossible to walk without banging into others. Most of the food and crafts were very popular and they sold out. We started to sell food from 4:30 pm, dance from 5:30 pm and finished at 9:00 pm. We sold items for 4 hours and 30 minutes and danced for 3 hours and 30 minutes. Although it was a short event, it is difficult to imagine how many hours we spent for its preparation. Again, I really appreciate the efforts of our president Keith Nagai, chair person Sandra Taga, and other committee members, volunteers, donors and participants. We could not have done it without the help of them. I had organized Bon Dances at the Puunene and Hilo Missions. However, this was the first time for me to do it at Betsuin. I had a wonderful time and precious experience. This year's Bon Dance was excellent, but I believe that we can make it better next year.

During the busy dancing, what came up in my mind was that teaching of “Itai Doshin” of our founder Nichiren Shonin. Itai Doshin means different bodies but one mind taught in his Itai Doshin ji. It says

“All things are possible if people are united in one spirit. Nothing can be accomplished if they are not united. Such feeling also exist in non-Buddhist scriptures. For instance, a king of Yin in old China, King Chie, who had an army of seven hundred thousand men disunited in spirit, was defeated by King Wu of Chou and his army of eight hundred men, who were united in one spirit. So that if a person has two thoughts, nothing can be accomplished. Even if there are hundreds or thousands of people, if they are united in one, they are surely able to accomplish their aim.”

We might not have had enough people at that time. We also did not have an enough property. But, it was wonderful that we overcame difficulties and achieved our goal. I had thought that Itai Doshin was just to do things together in one spirit. However, what I realized during the dancing was that we could practice the teaching of Itai Doshin when we did things. What I mean is that we can not realize Nichiren Shonin's teaching when we do not do anything. We should not think of his teaching only in our minds. We should find his teaching in our practice. In other words, when we do something, we need his teaching. When we carry out our Bon dance, we need his teaching. Normally, you may not think of his teaching or your temple so often in your daily lives. But, when you come to the temple and attend activities on weekends, his teaching comes into your bodies and minds without notice. And, when you need it, it surfaces. That is how I understand it. Otherwise, we could not carry out such a big event safely. You may not have noticed this. However, when I saw that many people got together and made great efforts for our temple, I found out practicing of our founder's teaching.

By the way, last Wednesday was the 50th anniversary of the famous speech, ‘I have a dream’ and March on Washington by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His speech and achievement are great in the history of America. I wonder if Dr. King could have predicted that a black man born in Hawaii would become the President of the United States within 50 years. I understand that he delivered the speech at the risk of his own life. His big dream may not come true completely even after 50 years. The birth of a black President must have been a huge part of his dream. Several years ago, I saw Morgan Freeman, an African American actor play the President of the United States. I wondered at that time when we could have a colored president. President Obama said that we still had problems. We need to continue our march even today.

As you know, we also have a dream. That is the dream, “Iten Shikai Kaiki Myoho” of our founder, Nichiren Shonin 750 years ago. It means, “May all beings under the heavens and the four seas live in accordance with the wonderful Dharma!” It does not only mean that all beings should have faith in the Lotus Sutra, but it also means that all beings should attain Buddhahood with the teaching and become eternally happy. It is our duty to make every effort to realize the dream of 750 years. I don't think it is impossible. I saw the practice of Nichiren Shonin's teaching through your effort at our Bon Dance. I am confident to say that it is possible. The United States, where a non-white president was born, has more to offer. What should we do in order to make our founder's dream come true? I made an announcement in the last newsletter. Do you remember? I called the Betsuin Conference to talk about such matters.

Let us make a greater efforts together as a duty of some who belives in the best teaching to be happy and to let others be happy.