Akemashite Omedetto Gozaimasu! First of all I would like the thank Rev Watanabe, Yasuko Kujiraoka, the Board of Directors and the entire Sangha for their selfless cooperation and support of this temple. This includes BCA, ministers and laypersons who have directly or indirectly supported us, thank you. As you know this past year had its unique challenges but the Sangha bravely came together to meet it head on. As we embark on a new year I request your continued spirited support and will do what I can to help communicate the message of the Buddha. As we frequently recite during Sunday service under ‘Shin Buddhist Life Principles’, my goal for the New Year is to “Share the True Dharma with All.” Former Monshu Koshin Ohtani, in his book ‘The Buddha’s Wish for the World,’ cites: “Your life is a gift wished into existence.” May 2018 bring on a deepening awareness.
Presidentof the
OBT Board of Directors
Monthly message from our Reverend Watanabe
Rev. Masanori Watanabe
Our Buddhist denomination is Jodo Shinshu, the Pure Land Path. It is based on the Three Pure Land Sutras (the Larger Sutra, the Contemplation Sutra, and the Amida Sutra). This month, I will write about the Contemplation Sutra.
The true intentions of many of the Sutras that were left by Sakyamuni Buddha’s disciples are often very difficult to understand, even if we read them many times. The Contemplation Sutra is one of them. Therefore, many venerable monks wrote commentaries on the Sutra. However, this Sutra is very interesting as a story. This Sutra is generally called “The Tragedy of Rajagriha (royal residence)”, and the story reads like a movie script of a tragic tale. I cannot convey all the fascinating aspects of the Sutra here, but I will try to relate the major points.
自利と利他
開教使 渡辺正憲
800年の歴史を持つ浄土真宗も一時は衰退の極みにありました。蓮如上人は、浄土真宗の8代目のご門主さまですが、ほとんど潰れかかっていた本願寺を立て直した方として有名です。そして、浄土真宗を日本で一番大きな仏教教団へと押し上げる原動力となった方でもあります。もちろん
Our very own Sensei Watanabe is on youtube!
This is the Ho-onko Eve service at the Buddhist Church of San Francisco.
With an introduction by BCA Bishop Umezu,
the message is in English and Japanese.
Special message from Gomonshu Otani!
It is with great pleasure that I am able to pay homage together with you to Amida Buddha enshrined here at the Oxnard Buddhist Temple. Overcoming many difficulties and hardships, your ancestors established many Buddhist temples to share the Dharma here in the United States of America. Reflecting on their patience and resilience, I feel deep respect and appreciation.
In 2023, four years from now, we will commemorate the 850th anniversary of Shinran Shonin’s birth and the following year 2024, will be the 800th anniversary of the establishment of the Jodo Shinshu teaching. It is worth noting that the teaching clarified by Shinran Shonin has been revered and passed on to us by our ancestors for 800 years. Today, those who cherish his teaching are not limited to Japan and found across the world.
One important teaching in Jodo Shinshu is expressed in the phrase, sesshu fusha, which literally means to “grasp and never abandon.” In a poem composed by Shinran Shonin known as Hymns of the Pure Land, he writes:
Seeing the sentient beings of the nembutsu
Throughout the worlds, countless as particles, in the ten quarters,
The Buddha grasps and never abandons them,
And therefore is named “Amida.”
Shinran Shonin adds explanatory notes to the phrase “grasps and never abandons them” and writes “setsu means to pursue and grasp the one who seeks to run away.”
In addition, Sakyamuni Buddha taught that the fundamental cause of our suffering is none other than our human desires. He explains that we suffer because we are inclined to be driven by our conveniences. In other words, we place judgment on things as good or bad depending upon whether they promote our selfish interests or not. Moreover, when human desires are limitless, and people excessively assert their egocentricities to others, resentment deepens between groups of people, and this paves the way for future confrontation.
Responding to this, Amida Buddha chases after those who have their backs turned towards the truth. The Buddha continuously works to grasp and guide people to the world of truth. This working manifests itself as the Name or the Nembutsu that is Namo Amida Butsu, which is always being directed towards us.
No matter how much science and technology may develop in the future, the essential nature of us human beings will never change. However, without regard to time and place, whether it be Japan, the US, or anywhere in this world, in the past as well and in the future to come, the Jodo Shinshu teaching will continue to be the spiritual basis for all people and enable them to truly find meaning in their lives.
It is my hope that every one of you will continue to deepen your appreciation of the Dharma and share it on every occasion with your family as well as to the people around you. Let us live each day to the utmost, appreciating the Buddha’s compassion that extends to every one of us.
Gomonshu Otani
 By Reverend Masanori Watanabe for our Sangha | UPCOMING EVENTS
OXNARD BUDDHIST TEMPLE CALENDAR: View Full Calendar
Weekly meetings: Times may vary, visitors please call ahead.
Japanese Language School: 8:30 am Saturdays
Judo: 7 pm Tuesdays and Fridays
Togen Daiko: 8 am Sundays and 7 pm Wednesdays |
