Reverend’s Message
“How tranquil! The enjoyment of this single day,
In the presence of the Buddha,
Of a certainty, not excluded”
~Gatha Raisan-ka (Reverence and Praise), composer Seishin Fujii
Lyrics by Ohtani Kinuko, sister-in-law of Lady Takeko Ohtani
I share Gassho to Mikame Sensei of San Jose Betsuin for answering some of my questions about
the words osonae (offerings to the Buddha) and osagari (adornments on the shrine/altar). Mikame
Sensei explained these words in the newsletter, The Dharma. I give her all the credit for her research
and for allowing me to tap into her knowledge and information.
I know the “idea” behind why we offer rice (buppan), fruit or any other kinds of offerings at the shrine
(onaiin). These offerings are called osonae. Metaphysically, this osonae is seen as an offering to the
Buddha. Immediately putting these offerings on the onaijin, they become a part of the Buddha’s realm
(osagari). These offerings allow us the experience of receiving and sharing with the Buddha. With our
sharing osonae, we are freeing ourselves from the “mine” concept.
We share osonae as our expression of respect to the Buddha and for showing our gratitude for
being able to hear the Dharma. It is through the Buddha that we can continue to live a Buddhist life. We
should keep in mind that without the Buddha, we have no Dharma and without Dharma, there is no
Sangha.
We tend to forget the effort it takes to produce osonae. It takes many facets to get this osonae to the
Buddha. If one thinks about it, when we offer rice, fruit, or other items it has taken many people to
produce them for us. It takes the smallest insects to pollinate the plant, the worms who help “aerate” the
soil and to fertilize the ground and there are many others like growers, workers, distributors and the
stores that have these items for us. There are many hands involved, and they work hard.
In a way, we are interconnected to all who have made it possible, so that we can share this osonae
with the Buddha and Sangha. We share our thankfulness and gratitude in our Namu Amida Butsu and
in our itadakimasu before the meal and gochisosame after our indulgences.
After a service, I offer what I like to call “Buddha’s rice” to Sangha members. Many times, people are
hesitant in receiving it. However, I tell them that the Buddha is sharing its osonae with them. Besides
that, Japanese hate to waste (mottanai). It is a privilege to receive osonae of the Buddha and it is our
interconnectedness to the Buddha.
At a service, a young Sangha member was offered the buppan. Innocently he said, “oh…that’s
where you hide the rice.” He made me laugh and I told him that I do not hide rice. I offer it to the
Buddha and place it on the onaijin to Shinran and Rennyo. He was honored to receive the rice.
Receiving such osonae from the onaijin or sharing it with the Buddha, we are interconnected to the
Buddha and the teachings. At the otoki (light luncheon), either osonae will be taken home or shared at
our meal. It is an honor knowing we can share with the Buddha and the Buddha shares with us. It is the
Buddha’s wisdom and compassion and teachings that are shared with us and with our receiving of
osonae.
Gassho
Rev. Seijo Naomi Nakano
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