- July, 2008
SET A DIRECTION FOR YOURSELF
By Rev. Yushi Mukojima
The Buddhist Temple of San Diego has five high school graduates this year. I would like to
congratulate all of them.
Although it has been three years since I was assigned to this temple, I have already seen nine
graduates off during this period. I feel very sad that those who have been at the temple from
childhood and who always made the place lighter and livelier, come less often because they are
going on to college and finding jobs outside of San Diego.
Every year, the Buddhist Temple suffers a great loss when these young people leave. Especially
this year, we feel much sadness because among the Jr. YBA members, the five who are graduating
are such distinct individuals. If it were possible, I’d have them remain in San Diego to support us as
they always have, but I know this is wishful thinking.
Although it is painful to see them off, there remains the impression that nothing is more precious
than the moment we see these young people starting a new phase of their lives. I sincerely hope
that those of you embarking on a new life will have a brilliant one.
This month, I would like to share some thoughts about life with you.
Do you know what a car navigation system is? This is the latest technology installed in cars to
guide us to a destination that is programmed into it. The screen displays a detailed map and clearly
shows us where we are at any given moment.
A lot of cars use this GPS (global positioning system) these days. A couple of times I have had
the chance to drive a car that uses it and liked it very much. It was amazing and very useful.
When we use a GPS, it can actually be dangerous to look at the display while driving. And
because it is dangerous, the machine talks to us! When we approach an intersection where we
should turn, it says loudly and clearly, “Please turn right at the next intersection.” It also calculates
the distance to our destination and even shows us our estimated arrival time. So it’s really useful.
Even when we are going someplace we’ve never been before, we always arrive successfully
because the GPS guides us there. It’s wonderful to have such an aid that keeps us from getting lost.
It used to be that the passenger who sat in front next to the driver looked at the map while giving
the driver directions. When I was a child, my mother sat in the front seat next to my father who was
driving and, while reading a map, told him to turn right or left at the next intersection. However, my
father was often scolded because there are many times when he didn’t drive as she directed. I still
remember that each time he was scolded, he would heave a sigh and say, “My car navigation
system often yells. I want one that’s quieter…” I don’t know if these days when they are in the car
together he is still scolded by my mother or not.
By the way, if we were asked, “Where are you headed in life?” how would we answer? I don’t
think many of us could answer this question quickly and confidently. Though in life it is very
important to know where we are going, sometimes we might not even be aware that we are lost.
Shin Buddhism teaches us to “Live with the Pure Land as our destination,” and it shows us clearly
the direction to the Pure Land. The Pure Land is not far away. If we open our Dharma Eyes, we can
see that the Pure Land is also here and now. If we could see the world with Enlightened Eyes, we
would see a pure world without affliction; a world that transcends love and hatred; a world where all
life shines, for all life is revealed to be precious.
Living without true awareness, we live selfishly, just consuming that which we need, excluding
from our lives those things that are inconvenient. We hurt others and may even hurt ourselves.
When we live with a perspective of the Pure Land, we, of course, continue to live our lives in the
physical world. Yet we begin to see clearly that it is difficult, if not impossible, to rid our minds of our
self centeredness.
When we feel the true world known as the Pure Land, we can begin to see our own lies and self-
delusions. In other words, a person who truly sees his ego-nature has begun to enter the true world
where the ego-nature is revealed to be of no substance and no consequence.
Although I sincerely want to live with my mind and heart in the Pure Land, I find I continue to live
in the darkness of self-centered passion…and I lose sight of my direction. When this happens, what
should I do, and who should I trust?
Shinran Shonin taught us that, “The one who knows and understands our human predicament—
the one who encourages us to find our direction in life—is Amida Buddha.” Amida Buddha is always
guiding us toward the true world by calling to us with the Nembutsu. Living with the Nembutsu, we
are nurtured by the Nembutsu and we live moving in the direction of the Pure Land…that true world
where our selfish, ego-nature is revealed to be of no substance and no consequence. Perhaps we
can say the Nembutsu is much like a GPS system for living.
In conclusion, to the graduates who have embarked on a new life, I repeat my offer of
congratulations. I sincerely hope each of you will always remember the Nembutsu with which you
have been nurtured, and that you set a direction for yourself in life. I hope that a wonderful future
will be in store for each one of you.
In Gassho,
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