Buddhist
Reverend Koho Takata
Last month, I had an opportunity to go to Honolulu with my wife and daughter to attend the Buddhist Education meeting at Honpa. It was a first trip to Honolulu for Kaylee. Fortunately, one of members arranged us to be seated at the first class, when we checked in at the airport. It was a great start on Kaylee’s first flight. Yet, Yuka and I worried about Kaylee. It was also first opportunity for us to fly with a baby. If she would cry on the plane, she would bother people around our seats. Therefore, we prepared a bottled milk, toys, etc., however, she never cried on the plane.
The next day, my wife and daughter went to meet friends who were members of our temple. Although I wanted to go with them, I had to attend a meeting. I left the hotel alone and went to the parking. As you know, because Pagoda Hotel limits the numbers of cars in the entrance parking area, I could not park there the night before. So I went to pick up my rent-a-car parked in the building across the hotel.
My rent-a-car was parked on the fifth floor. So I had to use an elevator. There were about 15 young girls waiting for the elevator. When the elevator came down from the upper floor to the first floor, they all moved into it. It seemed there was no room for me. I thought I should wait one more time to get into the elevator. So I was going to wait. However, they invited me to come in. I hesitated to move in because full of young girls were in it. I declined. However, they invited me again. Finally, I accepted their invitation with some of hesitations.
They were all talking to each others in the elevator. Then, one of girls suddenly asked me, "Are you a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist?" I thought to myself she knew I was a Jodo Shinshu Buddhist because I had a Nenju on my left wrist. I replied to her, "I am a Buddhist. How about you?" She replied, "I am a Buddhist, too. I attend the services at the Honokaa Hongwanji on Sundays." Then, the elevator reached the floor which their chaperons parked the car. After they left the elevator, I felt she was a wonderful Buddhist. She was proud to be a Buddhist.
I feel many people hesitate to declare themselves as Buddhists in Hawaii. Hawaii, like any other states in America, is Christian dominated state. I do not know whether it is one of reasons or not that Buddhists in Hawaii hesitate to declare their faith or religion.
There are two kinds of ways becoming Buddhists. One is those who become Buddhists by taking over the family religion from their ancestors, grandparents, and parents. The other is those who become Buddhists by realizing great teachings of Amida Buddha. Most of you are Buddhists because your ancestors were Buddhists. However, are you a true Buddhist, not only the surface? Why are you a Buddhist? I also reflect upon myself through the Amida’s Compassionate Activity and rededicate myself to live my life to its fullest in the Light and Wisdom of the Nembutsu.
"The Master would often say, When I consider deeply the Vow of Amida, which arose from five kalpas of profound thought, I realize that it was entirely for the sake of myself alone! Then how I am filled with gratitude for the Primal Vow, in which Amida resolved to save me, though I am burdened with such heavy karma."
(The Collected Works of Shinan, P. 679)
Namo-Amidabutsu