Minister’s Message – June 2025

My personal trials have also taught me the value of unmerited suffering. As my
sufferings mounted, I soon realized that there were two ways that I could respond
to my situation; either to react with bitterness or to transform the suffering into a creative force.
~Martin Luther King, 1929-1968
American Civil Rights Leader and Minister

Like many people, I too have a family pet. He is a ginger cat. His name is Shunki or sometimes I call
him “Brute”. Shunki is a brute because he weighs around 13 pounds, and he is a BIG baby. Yet he is
sweet, very social at times and quite gentle. He loves to play outside with Hanachan, the resident feral
cat. They get in trouble and sometimes nap together on the back patio or front porch.

It is amazing what we can learn from our pets if we sit and watch them. Shunki has made friends with
a deer and has had a conversation with it. He once tried to make friends with a skunk, however the
skunk was sick. He sensed that the poor skunk was not feeling well, and he let it be. He hardly ever
chases birds or mice. When he does catch a mouse or bird, he just has fun with them. He plays with them until they are played out (dead). He does not eat them. He just leaves the bird or mouse as a gift
for me. He is so sweet, I guess.

While sitting outside one morning, I watched Shunki trying to start a conversation with a California
Scrub Jay (a bird). Shunki laid down and made his unusual chatty voice. He did not chase the Scrub Jay
and continued to watch and tried talking to the bird. The bird hopped around, pecked the ground, walked
around and totally ignored him. The Scrub Jay did not appear scared of my “brute”, yet the bird kept
watch. Both were quite calm and mellow. At first, I thought Shunki would try to pounce, but he merely
remained laying down, talking and watching.

Shunki’s “prey instinct” was not there. He appeared to be living with the principles of The Golden
Chain. He appeared cool, calm, and content. I do not talk cat and can only hope his words were “pure
and beautiful” words. His “meow talk” must have been “good words”, for the Scrub Jay kept on looking
for food, unafraid and comfortable with Shunki being around. I have no idea what he was thinking and
can only hope his thinking was of pure and beautiful thoughts.

Shunki is friendly or tries to be friendly with wild things, except when it comes to lizards. They are his
nemesis. There are many tailless lizards on the grounds. He would bring one into the house and would
play with them for hours, if they do not get played out. He may ignore mice but is so attentive to lizards.
Watching Shunki or “Brute” being so calm, quiet and still, reminded me of the tale or legend of
Siddhartha Gautama. Siddhartha sat and meditated under the Bodhi Tree until he attained perfect
enlightenment. Siddhartha was so deep into meditation that the “wild things” did not notice him, and they were not scared of his presence. Siddhartha was able to still his breathing and focused on his external and internal struggles.

Our family pets can teach us patience, being kind and gentle and calm. They can “sense” who is nice
and kind. They still have compassion, even when we scold them. Sometimes as human beings we
demand, order or expect. When we do not get our way, we lash out without mindfulness or thought. It is
only natural for our family pets to “prey” on mice and birds, yet there are pets who are kind and gentle.
Why is it, we as thinking human beings display prejudice, discrimination, anger, greed or ignorance? Is it
in our nature or our ego that blocks our way of living a life that is with compassion and wisdom?
It is Nembutsu/Namu Amida Butsu that can settle our minds, calm our ever “preying” instincts and
share wisdom of being kind and gentle. We become the hunter without thought, feeling and with
Nembutsu. We could learn from pets, and it is always Namu Amida Butsu for the lessons they can teach
us.

Gassho
Rev. Seijo Naomi Nakano