December, 2007
THE IMPERMANENT WORLD OF BURNING HOUSE
By Rev. Yushi Mukojima
Dr. Shu Kishida, a psychoanalyst, was right when he said, “All of human habitat is an illusion,”
and, “All human ego is a fantasy.”
As you all know, there were terrible wildfires in Southern California last month. Over half a million
people had no choice but to evacuate their homes. At least 1,300 houses and buildings were lost in
the fires. These wildfires broke out in over 10 places—from the northern part of Los Angeles County
to southeast San Diego County—and burned through 600,000 acres. Although Southern California
has wildfires every year, this year especially the damage was terrible because the three major
conditions of low humidity, high temperature, and strong winds occurred at the same time.
Some temple families who were forced to evacuate came to the temple where they spent several
days. Although we made sure they had water and emergency provisions and tried to ease their
anxiety, I think that when they imagined the fire approaching their houses, they were not able to
sleep out of fear and worry.
I feel relieved that none of our temple members lost their homes to the fires. But my heart nearly
breaks with grief when I think of the people who died or who lost their homes.
These wildfires brought the most devastation since Hurricane Katrina which occurred in 2005. I
again fear the violence of Mother Nature which far exceeds what is in human power to create.
Anyway, I sincerely hope that normalcy will return to all the victims as soon as possible.
When I look back over the past few years, each year there have been many large scale disasters
all over the world. Surely you remember that many people died in the Indian Ocean tsunami caused
by the earthquake in Southeast Asia three years ago. It was said that as many as 280,000 people
died. And in this number, 15 American tourists were lost and about 5,000 tourists are still missing.
Even after three years, the stricken areas still require recovery and medical services on a global
scale.
It was estimated that this earthquake had more than 1,600 times the energy of the huge quake
that occurred in Kobe 13 years ago. Because of the resultant tsunami, the damage was
unimaginable. Although at the time every day [on the news] I watched the tsunami that engulfed
those Asian islands, whenever I remember those images, I am still filled with fear. I realize that there
is nothing we humans can do before the wonder of nature.
However, I have come to understand writer Sue Sumii’s calm vantage point. She said, “The
evidence that the Earth is alive is that earthquakes occur. We human beings are able to live
because the Earth is alive. The Earth itself continues, exceeding the will of human beings just as the
law of nature.”
And at the same time, I deeply realize that the living environment of the modern city is a “palace
of the illusion,” constructed brilliantly as a symbol of human ego and self-centeredness. Therefore,
such an aspect of civilization is morbid unhappiness. I think that we live in anguish without being
healed in our hearts.
On such an occasion, the sole message that affects our mind and body is that, “A foolish being
filled with blind passion, living in this impermanent world of burning house, all things are empty and
vain; therefore, untrue. Only the Nembutsu is true, real, and sincere,” as advocated in the Tannisho.
These are the true words that Shinran Shonin received from the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha.
These wildfires, Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and the 2004 global disaster that occurred centered
around the Indian Ocean were occurrences that showed us that all things are impermanent and life
is transient. This ought to be a warning to us, too. It is very important for us to reflect upon the
transience and value of life that we have received.
Now we should think seriously about what we can do for the sufferers who are not only in
America but also all over the world. Although at the beginning it is just the small power of each
individual, that small power joined with others’ becomes a big bond and it guides the world to peace.
I think that this is how we repay an obligation to the all sufferers.
Though we all fear the violence of Mother Nature, we can respond to her disasters in a way that
bonds us deeply together. Disasters teach us to help others and treasure not only our own lives but
that of all others. Nevertheless, when I look over the world, we kill each other in order to protect our
own interests. To make the most of the life of all sufferers, we should realize that it is foolish to kill
each other meaninglessly.
Finally, we must offer our deepest sympathy to the victims of the terrible wildfires.
In Gassho,
| Dharma Message |
