December, 2006
PREPARING FOR OUR OWN WINTER
By Rev. Yushi Mukojima
2006 will soon come to an end. Every December I am very surprised at how quickly time flies as
the end of the year approaches.
California, which has such nice weather, also becomes chilly at this time every year. There are
mornings when it is cold even in San Diego with its mild climate throughout the year. So please,
dress warmly when you go to bed so that you don’t get sick.
When I woke up a few mornings ago, my wife had a fit of coughing. I asked her why she was
coughing and she said that during the night, I had taken our blanket and wrapped myself up in it. So
when she woke up, she already had caught a cold. Although she looked at me coolly, I hadn’t done
it on purpose so I insisted that I wasn’t to blame. But as it was she who had ended up sick, I
promised myself to not take the blanket from her again. And I would like to take this opportunity to
apologize to my wife: “I’m sorry!”
By the way, when it is this time of year, I always remember Seabrook Buddhist Temple where I
used to live five years ago.
Have you ever heard of Seabrook? It’s in New Jersey State. New Jersey is nicknamed The
Garden State, and true to its name, its cities and towns are embraced by green forests and the
distant shoreline.
Because every season is distinct, the climate of New Jersey is almost the same as Fukui
Prefecture where my hometown is. At times one is surprised by the sudden change from cold to
warm and vice versa, but spring is usually quite mild, making it an easy place to live. Summer brings
many hot and humid days. Endless blue skies and brilliant leaves make autumn the most enjoyable
time of year. Winter’s arrival, with its sudden drops in temperature, continued cold and occasional
snow make it perhaps the most difficult season. Although it seldom snows in December, the winter
cold goes from severe to worse. The lasting cold makes one eagerly anticipate the arrival of spring.
Should someone be contemplating a visit to New Jersey, I would certainly recommend going in the
fall.
At this point, it has been one full year since I was granted the opportunity to come and live in the
midst of the natural environment that exists here, an opportunity that has given my spirit a wonderful
education. I have felt the joy of life, having seen the many beautiful blossoms nurtured by the
warmth of the spring sun. I have been reminded of the strength of life, having experienced the cool
shade created by the towering trees that intercept the summer sun’s hot rays. The glorious leaves
of autumn have imparted the value of life while the falling leaves in winter’s piercing cold have
taught me the impermanence of life. Throughout the four seasons of the year, the trees in the forest
have shown me all their different aspects as they live their lives to the fullest. Living so close to
nature, I have been encouraged to investigate the meaning of life—a joy that can only come from
close contact with all things natural.
During the four seasons, I find the falling leaves of winter most beautiful. When these leaves
reach the end of their life span, they float down on the breezes, as if invited by the ground below.
This scene reminds me of Amida Buddha who, like the earth, waits to welcome us at the end of our
lives.
Close examination reveals that no one leaf is like another. Even when growing on the same tree,
each leaf faces the sun at a slightly different angle and is affected by the wind somewhat differently.
Whether moonlight, starlight, daily temperatures—each leaf undergoes a different experience. For
this reason, when autumn arrives, each leaf changes color in its own way. Just as each person lives
his own life, each leaf celebrates the end of its life with blazing colors, extinguishing life’s flame.
Even when buffeted by strong winds, a leaf does not give up its hold on the tree until its time has
come. Man, like the leaf, is himself a part of nature. Even though he can suffer greatly, he can learn
a valuable lesson from observing the life cycle of the leaf.
The winter of our lives will not come in perfect order like the seasons. As we experience nature’s
changes, it is up to us to treasure each moment and live it to the fullest. Are we all prepared for our
own winter? Perhaps we should try to find the time to stroll through nature and prepare ourselves.
Please look forward to welcoming a wonderful new year.
In Gassho,
| Dharma Message |
