A Happy New Year to you all, everyone! I ask for your continued support for this year as you did last year.

As of June 1, 1998, I was assigned to Kapaa Hongwanji Mission. Since then, more than a half year has passed. It was very first for me. I saw everything through the eyes of a newcomer. For it was my first opportunity to serve at a single minister temple. I was supported and guided by the board of directors, Fujinkai Ladies, Dharma School children, and members of the Nembutsu followers. This year, may I ask for your support again! Please help me to see things with the freshness of a ‘beginner’s mind.’

For a start of my new assignment, I had the theme. It was "Oneness." So I entitled our newsletter "Oneness."

Shinran Shonin said: "For myself, I do not have even a single disciple."

(The Collected Works of Shinran, page 664)

Rennyo Shonin who was the 8^th chief abbot of Honpa Hongwanji, in his letters, expanded these words and said that Shinran Shonin respected and believed in the importance of ‘companions and fellow Nembutsu practicers (On-dobo, On-dogyo).’ Rennyo Shonin was critical of such discriminatory ideas as "I am a minister and you are a member; I am a member who always donates and you are not; I am a member who always helps and you are not." He considered them to be "friends (On-dobo)" who "walk the same path (On-dogyo)." We are all fellow Nembutsu friends walking in Shinran Shonin’s True Nembutsu way.

Rennyo Shonin also believed the preciousness of each person obtaining the True Entrusting Mind from Amida Buddha. He said that the prosperity of the Teachings does not mean a great number of people gathering in the temple. For even when a single person gains the True Entrusting Mind from Amida Buddha, then we may say Teaching is prospering.

I would like to believe that the Jodo Shinshu Teachings as propagated by Shinran Shonin and Rennyo Shonin is the central to my life in this year 1999, too. If they were alive, how would they do things, how would they think about, and do many things. I always would like to have these images of them in my mind.

In closing, I would like to share with you a sentence that a member gave me a memo last year. It is as follows; "Try to help others and in return you will help yourself."

I rejoice in the Compassion of the Buddha. I will respect and help others and do my best for the welfare of mankind.

 Namo-Amidabutsu