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2011 September
Dharma Message
By Rev. Yushi Mukojima, Resident Minister
Dharma Message
By Rev. Yushi Mukojima, Resident Minister
THE FIRST STEP TO THE TRUTH (Part 1)
As our temple celebrates the 85th anniversary of its founding this year, we have invited Socho Koshin Ogui, Bishop of the BCA,
to conduct both the commemorative service and the Kieshiki affirmation ceremony on October 16. Nowadays, it is not rare for
a temple to celebrate its 85th anniversary, but in its history, our temple has come a long way.
Last month, we had the Obon festival which was livelier than usual. As I watched the smiling faces of those who encircled the
yagura scaffolding and danced with practiced hands, I couldn’t help but express my gratitude to all the predecessors who
had protected our temple to this day. I felt as though their serious efforts and the oftentimes harsh lives they led were reflected
in the smiles on our faces.
Temple History Leading to This Celebration
When I look back over the history of our temple, there was no such thing as “smooth sailing.” The temple was created by our
Issei pioneers who came together after a flood tragically claimed many lives. It was forced to shut down and suffered burglary,
arson, and other indignities during World War II. During that period, our minister and other Sangha members were arrested and
detained for the duration of the war. Our families, among 2,000 local residents of Japanese ancestry, were forced from San
Diego on a few days’ notice, most ending up in remote relocation camps like Poston, Arizona. Victims of discrimination and
prejudice, they were isolated from the outside world.
After the war, with characteristic sincerity, diligence, uncommon effort and spiritual strength, those who returned to San Diego
gradually earned the trust of their neighbors. They overcame the difficulties of re-establishing the San Diego Sangha and rebuilt
our temple, embracing the Nembutsu teaching as their spiritual support.
Our temple is built on the sincere wish of all our predecessors that courage and hope can meet all difficulties if we embrace
the Nembutsu teaching as our spiritual support. This wish is for all generations that gather at this temple regardless of the
adverse circumstances in their lives.
Our temple, a precious gift of the blood, sweat, and tears of our predecessors, is passed down to us with their deepest wish
that we each live with strength through the Nembutsu teaching.
As we celebrate the 85th anniversary of our temple, I sincerely hope that each of us will hand down our treasured temple to
the next generation with one mind, expressing our deepest feelings of gratitude to those whose great wish which is directed at
each one of us.
Kieshiki Affirmation
As we mark this special anniversary, an important event will be the Kieshiki affirmation ceremony. Generally, that ceremony is
conducted by the Gomonshu, head abbot of Hongwanji, or a select representative who conducts the Kikyoshiki, or
confirmation ceremony. In the BCA, that ceremony is conducted by the Bishop and is called the Kieshiki affirmation ceremony.
Kieshiki affirms and takes refuge in the Three Treasures: the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Before Amida Buddha and Shinran
Shonin, we receive our Buddhist name as the Buddha’s disciple in order to live with the self-knowledge, responsibility, and pride
of a Nembutsu follower. It is an important expression of our determination as Shin Buddhists to accept the Nembutsu path
offered to all sentient beings as our life’s spiritual guide.
Unfortunately, there are some members who think that a Buddhist name is only given to the deceased. When I urge them to
participate in the Kieshiki ceremony, I hear the words, “Sensei, I’m not dead yet!” Or, “I don’t want a Buddhist name because if
I receive one, I feel that I’ll die soon,” and so on.
Certainly, I usually present a Buddhist name to a deceased person at the funeral service instead of the Gomonshu. But it is
only for those who didn’t have the opportunity to participate in the Kieshiki to receive his or her Buddhist name while they were
alive. So it is certainly not that I give a Buddhist name only because one has passed away. Since taking the Buddhist name
signifies we are Buddha’s disciple, accepting a way of life in the true teaching, it is very important to receive it while we are
alive.
The Kikyoshiki ceremony is also called Okamisori or “rite of the razor.” The Gomonshu taps a razor lightly on the head of the
follower three times, a ritual confirming the Three Treasures. This ritual is based in historical fact: when Shakyamuni Buddha
renounced the world and became a monk, he declared, “Now I take the tonsure [shave my head]. May I with all sentient
beings get rid of the blind passions and hindrances!” This ritual is always performed at the Tokudo ordination or Kikyoshiki
ceremony.
Therefore, in Buddhism, to take the tonsure symbolizes living with the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha as spiritual support while
ridding oneself of the mind of self power and ostentation.
Of course, although there is no actual need to get one’s head shaved at the Kikyoshiki ceremony, those who participate in the
Tokudo ordination to become a priest must be tonsured. Ladies are exempt, but men have their heads shaved before receiving
the rite of the razor from the Gomonshu.
My Tokudo Experience
In August of my 4th year at the university, I received the Tokudo ordination with over 100 participants after 10 days of training.
Those of us who dreamed of becoming priests tried to do our best to train in the rites and chanting and to study the doctrine
and sutras while helping and supporting each other under the strict guidance of the Nishiyama Betsuin. When all of us passed
the exams which allowed us to become priests, we were finally able to participate in the Tokudo ordination ceremony on the
tenth day.
The Tokudo ordination was held at the Hongwanji, mother temple of our sect. As I mentioned, all male participant had to
have a cleanly shaven head before the actual rite from Gomonshu so we were to have our heads shorn a day before the
ceremony. Three middle-aged ladies from the barbershop came to the Betsuin and began shaving the heads of the men who
formed a line before each barber. As the barbers’ skill was excellent, we all had our eyes glued to their expert technique as
they quickly finished one after another. However, because there were more trainees that summer than usual, these ladies
became exhausted as the time passed, and they seemed to gradually lose strength in their arms. We at the back of the line
began to witness the sight of the barbers nicking heads with the razor. I began to feel an extraordinary unease watching the
faces of my friends whose heads were red with blood. Sure enough, my head was also cut in two places. I put Band-Aids on my
cuts with great regret, thinking, “If only I had gotten in the front of the line...” But I still remember when I stroked my head
shaped like a potato, clean shaven for the very first time, I knew that my Tokudo ordination was real. The pain from my nicks
changed into a great joy.
And the next day, when I received the rite of the razor from Gomonshu at the Tokudo ordination ceremony held in a solemn
atmosphere, I rejoiced in the fact that I have lived in the Buddhist tradition with a history of more than 2500 years since
Shakyamuni Buddha. I couldn’t help but express my deep gratitude for the loving guidance of my parents, teachers, and
many people who led me to the way of the Buddha. And I will never forget the pure emotion when I received the Buddhist
name, “Shaku Tai-Shi” from Gomonshu, with the sincere mind of the fresh priest who wished to live embracing the primal vow
without the mind of self power.
May It Be Your First Step
Therefore, whether you are a minister or a lay member, to participate in the Kieshiki ceremony and receive the Buddhist
name is the beginning of a new life as a Shin Buddhist with a promise to always reflect upon the way of living which is filled with
selfishness and to follow instead the way of living centered with Amida Buddha, embracing the Nembutsu teaching as spiritual
support.
This simple ceremony marking the start of your life as a Shin Buddhist is the Kieshiki affirmation. At the event which marks our
85th anniversary, I sincerely hope that many of you will decide to participate in this meaningful ceremony and take that first
step as a true disciple of the Buddha. In gassho.
(To be continued next month…)
In Gassho,
to conduct both the commemorative service and the Kieshiki affirmation ceremony on October 16. Nowadays, it is not rare for
a temple to celebrate its 85th anniversary, but in its history, our temple has come a long way.
Last month, we had the Obon festival which was livelier than usual. As I watched the smiling faces of those who encircled the
yagura scaffolding and danced with practiced hands, I couldn’t help but express my gratitude to all the predecessors who
had protected our temple to this day. I felt as though their serious efforts and the oftentimes harsh lives they led were reflected
in the smiles on our faces.
Temple History Leading to This Celebration
When I look back over the history of our temple, there was no such thing as “smooth sailing.” The temple was created by our
Issei pioneers who came together after a flood tragically claimed many lives. It was forced to shut down and suffered burglary,
arson, and other indignities during World War II. During that period, our minister and other Sangha members were arrested and
detained for the duration of the war. Our families, among 2,000 local residents of Japanese ancestry, were forced from San
Diego on a few days’ notice, most ending up in remote relocation camps like Poston, Arizona. Victims of discrimination and
prejudice, they were isolated from the outside world.
After the war, with characteristic sincerity, diligence, uncommon effort and spiritual strength, those who returned to San Diego
gradually earned the trust of their neighbors. They overcame the difficulties of re-establishing the San Diego Sangha and rebuilt
our temple, embracing the Nembutsu teaching as their spiritual support.
Our temple is built on the sincere wish of all our predecessors that courage and hope can meet all difficulties if we embrace
the Nembutsu teaching as our spiritual support. This wish is for all generations that gather at this temple regardless of the
adverse circumstances in their lives.
Our temple, a precious gift of the blood, sweat, and tears of our predecessors, is passed down to us with their deepest wish
that we each live with strength through the Nembutsu teaching.
As we celebrate the 85th anniversary of our temple, I sincerely hope that each of us will hand down our treasured temple to
the next generation with one mind, expressing our deepest feelings of gratitude to those whose great wish which is directed at
each one of us.
Kieshiki Affirmation
As we mark this special anniversary, an important event will be the Kieshiki affirmation ceremony. Generally, that ceremony is
conducted by the Gomonshu, head abbot of Hongwanji, or a select representative who conducts the Kikyoshiki, or
confirmation ceremony. In the BCA, that ceremony is conducted by the Bishop and is called the Kieshiki affirmation ceremony.
Kieshiki affirms and takes refuge in the Three Treasures: the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha. Before Amida Buddha and Shinran
Shonin, we receive our Buddhist name as the Buddha’s disciple in order to live with the self-knowledge, responsibility, and pride
of a Nembutsu follower. It is an important expression of our determination as Shin Buddhists to accept the Nembutsu path
offered to all sentient beings as our life’s spiritual guide.
Unfortunately, there are some members who think that a Buddhist name is only given to the deceased. When I urge them to
participate in the Kieshiki ceremony, I hear the words, “Sensei, I’m not dead yet!” Or, “I don’t want a Buddhist name because if
I receive one, I feel that I’ll die soon,” and so on.
Certainly, I usually present a Buddhist name to a deceased person at the funeral service instead of the Gomonshu. But it is
only for those who didn’t have the opportunity to participate in the Kieshiki to receive his or her Buddhist name while they were
alive. So it is certainly not that I give a Buddhist name only because one has passed away. Since taking the Buddhist name
signifies we are Buddha’s disciple, accepting a way of life in the true teaching, it is very important to receive it while we are
alive.
The Kikyoshiki ceremony is also called Okamisori or “rite of the razor.” The Gomonshu taps a razor lightly on the head of the
follower three times, a ritual confirming the Three Treasures. This ritual is based in historical fact: when Shakyamuni Buddha
renounced the world and became a monk, he declared, “Now I take the tonsure [shave my head]. May I with all sentient
beings get rid of the blind passions and hindrances!” This ritual is always performed at the Tokudo ordination or Kikyoshiki
ceremony.
Therefore, in Buddhism, to take the tonsure symbolizes living with the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha as spiritual support while
ridding oneself of the mind of self power and ostentation.
Of course, although there is no actual need to get one’s head shaved at the Kikyoshiki ceremony, those who participate in the
Tokudo ordination to become a priest must be tonsured. Ladies are exempt, but men have their heads shaved before receiving
the rite of the razor from the Gomonshu.
My Tokudo Experience
In August of my 4th year at the university, I received the Tokudo ordination with over 100 participants after 10 days of training.
Those of us who dreamed of becoming priests tried to do our best to train in the rites and chanting and to study the doctrine
and sutras while helping and supporting each other under the strict guidance of the Nishiyama Betsuin. When all of us passed
the exams which allowed us to become priests, we were finally able to participate in the Tokudo ordination ceremony on the
tenth day.
The Tokudo ordination was held at the Hongwanji, mother temple of our sect. As I mentioned, all male participant had to
have a cleanly shaven head before the actual rite from Gomonshu so we were to have our heads shorn a day before the
ceremony. Three middle-aged ladies from the barbershop came to the Betsuin and began shaving the heads of the men who
formed a line before each barber. As the barbers’ skill was excellent, we all had our eyes glued to their expert technique as
they quickly finished one after another. However, because there were more trainees that summer than usual, these ladies
became exhausted as the time passed, and they seemed to gradually lose strength in their arms. We at the back of the line
began to witness the sight of the barbers nicking heads with the razor. I began to feel an extraordinary unease watching the
faces of my friends whose heads were red with blood. Sure enough, my head was also cut in two places. I put Band-Aids on my
cuts with great regret, thinking, “If only I had gotten in the front of the line...” But I still remember when I stroked my head
shaped like a potato, clean shaven for the very first time, I knew that my Tokudo ordination was real. The pain from my nicks
changed into a great joy.
And the next day, when I received the rite of the razor from Gomonshu at the Tokudo ordination ceremony held in a solemn
atmosphere, I rejoiced in the fact that I have lived in the Buddhist tradition with a history of more than 2500 years since
Shakyamuni Buddha. I couldn’t help but express my deep gratitude for the loving guidance of my parents, teachers, and
many people who led me to the way of the Buddha. And I will never forget the pure emotion when I received the Buddhist
name, “Shaku Tai-Shi” from Gomonshu, with the sincere mind of the fresh priest who wished to live embracing the primal vow
without the mind of self power.
May It Be Your First Step
Therefore, whether you are a minister or a lay member, to participate in the Kieshiki ceremony and receive the Buddhist
name is the beginning of a new life as a Shin Buddhist with a promise to always reflect upon the way of living which is filled with
selfishness and to follow instead the way of living centered with Amida Buddha, embracing the Nembutsu teaching as spiritual
support.
This simple ceremony marking the start of your life as a Shin Buddhist is the Kieshiki affirmation. At the event which marks our
85th anniversary, I sincerely hope that many of you will decide to participate in this meaningful ceremony and take that first
step as a true disciple of the Buddha. In gassho.
(To be continued next month…)
In Gassho,