Minister’s Message – July 2023
Rev. Nakano’s Message
“My eyes being hindered by blind passions,
I cannot perceive the light that grasps me;
Yet the great compassion, without tiring,
Illumines me always.”
~Shinran Shonin ( Koso Wasan 95)
Oh yes, it is that season again. Many temples/churches are observing Hatsubon and Obon. These
specific dates are very important to us. We observe Hatsubon for those who have passed from this
earthly realm from the previous July to the present July. It is a time of remembrance of their
hard-work, sacrifices and yes, of their commitment in raising the family, to the community and to the
temple/church. When we lose these people we are awakened to the principle of our impermanence. It
is a time of sharing our thanks to our departed loved ones for their devotion and commitment to those
whom they cherished and loved. We share our Namu Amida Butsu in honoring those who have
passed during the year.
Our history stems from the many first generation Japanese (those who came from Japan, issei )
who worked in the mines or on the railways. They were farmers and some even took up the trade of
being fishermen. It was a tough time and back breaking work. Yet, these jobs put food on the table, a
roof over the family’s head and clothes on their backs. However, we forget that the first issei women
were “picture brides”. They came on steamer boats to cross the ocean on promises made by their
future husbands. They not only suffered on the boat, but when they arrived. They lived a rough life,
living in a strange land and married to an image from a photo. These issei have made us who we are
and directed our life in Nembutsu. They saw a future for Jodo Shinshu without thought of gender, age,
diversity or wealth. It is our Namu Amida Butsu with true heart and mind.
Our Obon is our way of sharing thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation to these pioneers who
may have been an ancestor. We enjoy the festivities of Obon and the dances and we have so much
fun. We tend to forget the issei’s ingenuity, stamina and determination, so that we can continue with
this special observance. We share Namu Amida Butsu with true thankfulness, gratitude and
appreciation for their wisdom and compassion and forethought for the generations to come.
After a day of hard work, Obon dance is a refreshing break. However we cannot forget our history
and the working of Nembutsu. Our dances portray the various works these issei did, to provide. Some
dances are remembrances of Japan, lost loves and how we take so much for granted. We dance by
putting the self “into the shoes” of our ancestors. While we dance we forget how good we look or
dance, and we dance in showing our true self. We dance to release the true self from this outer shell
people see. We let go of the ego and dance with thoughts of our departed loved ones and show how
truly foolish we all are. We are foolish no matter if we dance or watch, so might as well dance among
other foolish beings.
So dust off the ol’ dancing shoes, forget about the mistakes we will make while dancing and
present the true self, “just as we are”. It is time to “let our hair down”, show our gratitude to our
ancestors and truly be our foolish self. I will be dancing.
Gassho Rev. Seijo Naomi Nakano