July, 2007
SURPRISE AND WONDER IN OUR LIVE
By Rev. Yushi Mukojima
The Buddhist Temple of San Diego has two graduates from high school this year. I would like to
congratulate both of them.
Although I have seen seven graduates off since I became a minister at this temple, I feel very sad
that those who have taken care of the temple from childhood and who always made the place lighter
and livelier, come less often to the temple because they are going on to college and finding jobs
outside of San Diego. However, there is the impression that nothing is more precious than the
moment we see high school graduates starting a new phase of their lives. I sincerely hope that
those embarking on a new life will have a brilliant one.
This month, I would like to share some thoughts about life with you.
As you know, the time we spend in this world is not long. If a man lives a long life—perhaps even
100 years—when we compare this life span to the 150 billion year history of the universe, the 4.5
billion year history of our earth, or the 2 billion year history of the beginning of all life on earth, 100
years is but a blip in the entire scene. When we look back at such a comparatively short life, it is
remarkable when one can live in such a way as to be able to say, “Oh, my life was so wonderful.” I
think a person who can live like that is so lucky.
A certain encounter can have a strong influence on us. Life consists of various encounters. It is a
constant string of encounters with people, events, and nature. The philosopher Martin Buber said,
“True life is a series of meetings.” Indeed, it is those encounters which determine the course of one’
s life. We each meet with different people and different events that influence us and shape the
course of our development. I think we will experience a brilliant life upon awareness we are having
an encounter—when we open our eyes and feel the joy of the meeting.
If our founder Shinran Shonin had died without having had one certain encounter, his life would
have been lonely and in vain. But at age 29, Shinran met Honen Shonin and from him learned the
Great Compassion of Amida Buddha.
As you know, Shinran practiced asceticism at the Nembutsu Meditation Hall at Mt. Hiei for 20 years
before meeting Honen, so he must have known about Amida Buddha and the recitation of the
Nembutsu. However, he was not able to experience the deep world of the Nembutsu. Shinran
realized the preciousness of the Nembutsu for the first time from Honen, and was able to taste it
more deeply from the books of the Seven Pure Land Masters.
Shinran before Honen was like a person who suffers from thirst even when standing in water. If
Shinran had never met Honen, he would have remained thirsty, even while surrounded by water.
Honen not only shared the relationship of master and pupil with Shinran, but was respected by
Shinran as a Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva.
Thus Shinran left these wise remarks in the Tannisho: “I have nothing to regret, even if I should
have been deceived by my teacher, Honen Shonin, and, saying the Nembutsu, fall into hell.”
I believe that this statement reflects Shinran’s surprise and wonder over his encounter with Honen
Shonin. Shinran can say these startling words with conviction because by encountering the noble
master, Shinran became a contented person.
There are many people who experience “the contented life” over an encounter with a wonderful
teacher like Shinran. Such encounters do not occur by chance. For example, if Shinran Shonin had
not spent 20 years practicing asceticism, contemplating and worrying, his preparedness for the
encounter with Nembutsu teaching under Honen Shonin would not have been formed.
Fortunately, we have a mother and father, teachers in school, neighbors and friends in our
community, and wife, husband, girl friend, boyfriend, and so on. But have you ever been truly
surprised and impressed by an encounter with someone?
Fortunately or not, many of us have known Shinran Shonin from childhood. However, I wonder why
there are so many among us, never far from the Nembutsu teaching, who are surprised and
impressed by a true encounter with Shinran Shonin?
Although there are countless people who have been distressed by life’s events without ever
learning of the existence of Shinran Shonin, there are those like ourselves who have led
comfortable lives quite without the severity experienced by Shinran. We who are too dependent on
“Other Power” have to reflect upon ourselves.
Someone who is not moved by an encounter with someone else is a person without passion. We
are each preoccupied with making a living, bringing up children, and so on. But we lack an attitude
that “suffers from our own selfish mind.”
There is a famous quote in the Nirvana Sutra: “To be without shame and self reproach is not to be
human; it is to be a beast. Because one feels shame and self reproach, one reveres father, mother,
and elders.”
Even if we were born into a family of Shin Buddhists, if we don’t have what I call the mind of shame
and self reproach, unfortunately we are just like beasts.
If we have the mind of shame and if we are not beasts, let’s welcome a true encounter with Shinran
Shonin. We will surely find wonder and surprise. They are our very light. Each encounter with
countless people that we have passed over will change to wonder and surprise, like a shining light
to lead us to the way of the truth.
In conclusion, for the graduates who have embarked on a new life, I repeat my offer of
congratulations. I sincerely hope that a wonderful encounter will be in store for you.
In Gassho,
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