- Two month ago I received a letter from my father. My father and mother live in Obama, Japan,
located on the central west coast. My mother sends us confections and specialties of my hometown
regularly, and there is always a letter from her in the parcel. Her letters tell us what is going on with
my parents and are filled with her warm words, worried about our health. Her affectionate words
have always had a soothing effect. Whenever we receive a package from Japan, I can feel the great
love my mother has for us in the weight of the parcel.
However, it is unusual for my father to write us. I don’t remember the last time I received a letter
from him. Still, he had sent us a New Year letter, and although I was very surprised, I lost no time in
opening it.
When I started to read it, full of his love and consideration for us and wishing our growth, it
touched me deeply. Through my father’s letter, I truly realized again the importance of making a
home of gratitude in the Nembutsu. I would like to take this opportunity to express our deep
gratitude for my father’s guidance.
For my message this month, I would like to share his letter.
Happy New Year, Yushi and Mika-chan!
You have greeted New Year’s Day four times since you were married. I guess that this New Year
was even more full of hope for the two of you. It is because this was the first time you greeted the
New Year with the precious life you received, through innumerable causes and conditions, on
August 24th of last year.
You named this precious life –which is extremely rare to receive– “Kurumi.” I had taken the
privilege of naming their three children from your older brother and his wife, and waited impatiently
for the privilege of giving a name to your baby as well. However, my desire was completely
squelched by you.
You said, “She is our baby, so we will give her a name.” That’s so like a second son. You are full
of a spirit of independence, I smiled wryly to your mother in spite of myself.
Then you named the baby Kurumi. When I first heard this, I was bewildered. Certainly, the name
sounded very pretty, but I couldn’t imagine what had inspired your choice.
You explained to us, “kuru means Tathagata and mi means Truth. So the name Kurumi means we
have received the truth of Tathagata.”
Although at first I nodded my head saying, “I see; I understand,” what I was thinking was, “The
name doesn’t sound familiar to me.” However, a few mornings later when chanting certain passages
in the Shoshin-Ge, I thought, “Oh, I see! So this is what he wanted to say. Wow, it is such a beautiful
name.” When the realization dawned on me, I couldn’t help but recited the Nembutsu.
It was when I reached the phrases from lines 21 to 24 of Shoshin-Ge: Shakyamuni Tathagata
appeared in this world / Solely to teach the ocean-like Primal Vow of Amida. We, an ocean of beings
in an evil age of five defilements / Should entrust ourselves to the Tathaghata’s words of truth.
Should entrust ourselves to the Tathagata’s words of truth. This is where “Kurumi” is found. The
Tathagata’s words of truth means Shakyamuni Buddha’s teaching, and the teaching of the Primal
Vow which Amida Buddha established to embrace all living things.
So the name Kurumi is Amida Buddha’s mind of wisdom (light) and compassion (life). Namely, I
realized that it is the Primal Vow itself.
I was very impressed by your choice of a name which is charming, meaningful, and filled with your
great hope as parents. Well done! I would like to express my respect to you both once again.
Last October you came back to Japan with Kurumi-chan who was only two months old. When we
had the Hatsumairi [infant presentation ceremony] at our family temple, do you remember the
phrase in the end of the aspiration I read at that time?
It was, “May the parents realize that planting the seed of the Dharma (piety for Buddhism) in their
child and cultivating it is the great mission of a mother and father. They should always reflect upon
themselves and hold closer than ever before the Jodo Shinshu teaching to nurture the child of
Buddha.”
I sincerely ask that you raise Kurumi-chan –born as a human, as difficult as that is– to be a
wonderful adult who lives sincerely, embraced by your love. What is most important is that, as her
parents, you also live sincerely as true humans.
Yushi, because of innumerable causes and conditions, you were born to a family temple of Jodo
Shinshu. Furthermore, you have received the precious opportunity to be with the many members of
the Buddhist Temple of San Diego as their BCA minister. Well aware of your circumstances, Mika-
chan married and accompanied you to America. We can hardly imagine how difficult your life is,
raising a child in a foreign country. However, the Nembutsu is always there for you.
Shinran Shonin said, “The Nembutsu is the one path free of hindrance. One who lives reciting the
Nembutsu walks on the one path which cannot be disturbed by anything. It is the way of living
sincerely as a true human, making steady progress, never being discouraged by troubles, never
being elated at happiness.”
Yushi and Mika-chan, please nurture Kurumi-chan with loving care and the Nembutsu of
gratitude. I hope you will make her name –the truth of Tathagata– become her inspiration and
guidance in her future.
Please remember that there are your mother and father (grandmother and grandfather) in far
away Obama who will continue to cheer on Kurumi-chan and the two of you who now stand at the
starting line as parents.
Once again, happy New Year!
In Gassho...
| Dharma Message |
March, 2009
A LETTER FROM MY FATHER
by Rev. Yushi Mukojima
A LETTER FROM MY FATHER
by Rev. Yushi Mukojima