ARE YOU FEELING LUCKY? [suggested title only; please give title to message]

by Rev. Yushi Mukojima, Resident Minister

Two months ago, my parents visited San Diego to see us. They were a little tired from the long trip from Japan but as soon as they saw the beautiful scenery and stores and houses on the streets of San Diego, they really enjoyed themselves very much. During their stay, we showed them all round the city and took them to various places. Above all, a show that we went to see in Las Vegas left an impression on them. It was worth taking them all the way to Vegas.

On the first night of our three-day stay there, I encouraged my parents to play at the casino hotel where were staying. Although they were unwilling at first, I persuaded them by saying, “Here is our much-awaited Las Vegas, and it will make a good story about your travels to America!” I taught them how to play the slot machine. They reluctantly agreed to what I said and began to play a quarter machine with 20 dollars each.

After 20 minutes passed, when I looked at my father’s machine, he had already won about $200! He lost no time in exchanging his voucher for cash and went back to his room saying proudly, “How about that, then?”

Though it was beginner’s luck, I was very surprised at his good luck because I have never had a big win. I, who have yet to win even a raffle prize at the Temple, sincerely want to share his good luck.

As you know, America has three big cities full of casinos. The biggest is Las Vegas, then Reno, and then Atlantic City. The U.S. has become the casino capital of the world. Especially in Vegas, not only Americans but a lot of foreigners who love gambling visit. The city is full of life all the time.

In contrast, in Japan, horse racing, bicycle racing, speedboat racing, motorcycle racing, and pachinko are allowed by Japanese law, but other types of gambling are prohibited. Therefore, this time of year, everyone has a great interest in the Summer Jumbo Lottery in Japan. Everyone has dreams of winning the first prize of $2 million.

To talk of the country where the lottery is the most popular in the world is also to talk about the U.S. The amount that Americans spend on the lottery throughout the year is about $3.7 trillion. The Lotto is especially popular, but the probability of winning is one in 80,000,000. It runs into astronomical numbers. The biggest first prize that a single person has won to date is about $300 million! It is quite the American Dream. I am also dying to live this American Dream.

Will any of us ever win the lottery? The odds against it are so high, if we were to win, how grateful we would be.

But even more astounding is the fact that we were born on this planet. An American astronomer said, “The number of stars that have the conditions of Earth where living things can exist is only one out of one trillion stars.” We can’t quite imagine the chances of one in one trillion because there are 20 billion stars in the vast expanse of the galaxy that our earth belongs to. Moreover, life on Earth came into existence 3,500,000,000 years ago. The life that was born in the sea and gradually evolved to into human life happened over the course of eons.

Our lives here on Earth are precious because we [as a species] have overcome many difficulties and we still have not become extinct after 3,500,000,000 years. There is nothing as precious as life. I hope you deeply appreciate what the “Three Treasures” says: “Rare is it to receive life in human form; yet, now I have received it. Rare is it to hear the Buddha Dharma; yet, now I have heard it.” It is quite remarkable that we who received life as humans still hear more of the Buddha Dharma. How grateful we are.

However, we who have arrogance and the wrong view can’t delight in the truth of Buddha’s guidance. Nonetheless, Amida Buddha’s compassion never abandons such as us and always holds us warmly. When we realize this, we will really see that we are foolish. What can we who are greedy expect in the compassionate eyes of the Buddha, but to be embraced, even with our faults, to receive the Great Vow?

So it is not a bad thing that we have dreams for a casino and or lottery win. And if we win the lottery, we may be very elated, well and good. But let us be ever grateful for our existence and delight that we are able to hear the Buddha Dharma.

Well, I will go out to buy some Lotto tickets now…. Gassho.