- January, 2008
Be Like a Flower
By Rev. Yushi Mukojima, Resident Minister
Happy New Year! Thank you very much for all that you have done for us last year. My wife and I
would like to express our deep gratitude from the bottom of our hearts for your ongoing
thoughtfulness.
When I look back over the last year, it was quite a busy year for us, especially because we co-
hosted the Family Conference with Vista Buddhist Temple, a big event in the Southern District. So
we had to fling ourselves into the preparation and management of the conference over a period of
one year. Many members who wished for the success of the conference attended many meetings to
exchange views with one another many nights in spite of the late hours. The conference was a
great success because of your efforts and enthusiasm. I heard from many participants that they had
an enjoyable and meaningful experience at the conference. Again, I really appreciate your great
help and dedication. I sincerely hope that together we will liven up our temple to make all our
activities successful this year, too.
Well, the following happened several months ago after a Sunday Service. As I walked along
outside the Annex, I saw some Jr. YBA members listening to music on headphones. When I asked
them that what they are listening to, they told me something unexpected. They said that they were
listening to Japanese music. When I asked them whose music, they said it was a rap group named
Orange Range, which is very popular among Japanese young people. Although I no longer keep up
with which songs have been very popular in Japan the past several years, this group is so popular
that even I have heard of them.
Orange Range performs mainly rap, and though I used to enjoy rock ’n’ roll as a youth, I don’t
know much about rap or hip-hop. However, the group has a wonderful song which gives listeners
an impression of sympathy and teaches what we should treasure in life. This song is well-known
and loved by young people.
The song is called “Hana” and I would like to share the lyrics* with you.
When I heard this song for the first time, the young artist’s message touched me deep in my
heart. I realized again how important it is to be grateful for all encounters in our lives and treasure
these relations forever.
“Why do flowers wither? Why am I here? Why did I meet you?” When we begin to question
everything we take for granted, we will be amazed at the wonder of this world we are fortunate to
live in, and at the transience of life. Therefore, our simple wish is to try to shine with our beloved
without any regrets, accepting all happiness, sadness, and everything.
Now, I dare not deny the idea of destiny and miracles more than this. It is very important for us to
have the spirit of “Ichigo-Ichie” in which we rejoice in the connection with people whom we somehow
are able to meet, and live our lives fully in the moment, expressing our deep gratitude for this
encounter.
I sincerely hope that Jr. YBA members who may have listened to this song will taste deeply its
meaning through my article. Although sometimes, of course, we quarrel with those we love, the
strength to overcome obstacles and always support each other is only found among those we love.
All of our encounters will last only an instant. It is for this reason I believe it is possible for each life to
blossom in all its glory in this fleeting world.
While hailing in the New Year, I would like for us to deeply appreciate our loved ones, friends,
family and all whom we have encountered in our lives, and to treasure any and all marvelous future
encounters this year. Be grateful for the brief but precious encounters and let us live each day to
the fullest, like a flower!
In Gassho,
Hana Amidst us scattering like flower petals It was a miracle to meet you, as if a dream Loving one another, having our spats We’ve climbed over all sorts of walls together If I’m reborn, I'll be a flower by your side I wonder if the sun will always be right overhead? I wonder if I'll always be able to keep safe The laughing, crying, angry face you make? Anyway, if everything turns to nothing, We should be even more thankful for us having met The miracle of that day, that time and that place Will again give birth to new tracks Growing stronger by loving Overcoming by believing What you left me with is still here in my heart See, it hasn’t lost its shine I think of things happily, that we could met each other that I could regain my smile with these overwhelming feelings of “gratitude” I push forward on my journey Why do flowers wither? Why do birds fly? Why does the wind blow? Why does the moon light up? Why am I here? Why are you here? Why did I meet you? Meeting you, that was fate Amidst us scattering like flower petals It was a miracle to meet you, as if a dream Loving one another, having our spats We’ve climbed over all sorts of walls together If I’m reborn, I want to see you I’m going to scatter like flower petals I’ll accept everything in this world The thing that you left me Is a real treasure called “now” So living with all my might, I’ll be a flower After the rain, a rainbow hangs in the sky, Light is born by the strong spring wind, Right here, I become aware Of a firm and important thing called “loving” Can I still walk on? I can see it now My "feelings" pass through time, and echo into eternity Your happiness, your pain, your everything Well, bloom then in full, more and more and more! |
| Dharma Message |
