Cut Short

Reverend Koho Takata

One day, I received a call from a lady complaining about a memorial service I conducted at her family residence. 

First of all, I would like to clarify one thing.  When she called me about it, she mentioned that she was going to call Bishop about it.  However, she did not call him.  She thought that if the Bishop knew about it, I would be scolded by the Bishop.  However, I told a lady, "If you would like to report to the Bishop, please do so.  I am doing what I truly believe based on the teachings."  People sometime threat me by saying that they will report to the Bishop.  However, it does not truly my concern because I am only doing what I believe as a follower of the Nembutsu teaching.  No one has an authority to control my faith even our bishop, president, etc.  If you would like to report to the Bishop, president, etc, please feel free to do it.  I will not stop you at all.

In any rate, one of her complains was that she could not offer the incense during the service.  I usually pass an incense burner to the family for offering of the incense, when I have a memorial service in front of their family altar at their home.  However, I did not do it at that time because their incense burner had sands instead of straw ashes.  The incense sticks did not burn on sands.  Also, there was no incense powder at their altar.  After hearing my explanation, she then asked why I did not bring those articles for them.  What do you think about it?

This complains came from very poor understanding on how you listen to the teachings in your daily life.  When you have a memorial service at your home, you will clean your home, especially your family altar, and prepare fresh flowers, rice, fruits, etc. for offerings.  You will also check whether you have candles, incense sticks and the powders or not.  Most importantly, you will especially clean your mind and prepare yourself for listening to the teachings of the Buddha through the deceased member of your family.  This is really the basic attitude for listening to the teachings.  However, if you have a family altar in your home, it is not only on the occasion of observing the memorial service but also on every day you should have flowers, candles, incenses sticks and powders for offerings.  The family altar should not be just a decoration.  It should be the center of your life.  This is why when I conducted a memorial service at their home, I expected they had everything at their altar.  If not, they should have had prepared before the service.  It is the basic preparation for you to listen to the teachings. 

Other complains from her were regarding the numbers of incense sticks I used and numbers of the Nembutsu I recited.  I guess that she felt what I performed was not enough.  Then, she mentioned to me that I cut the service short because of the above reasons.  What do you think?

It does not matter how many incense sticks I burn or how many times I recite the Nembutsu.  If you would like to recite the Nembutsu more than I do and burn the incense more than I burn, please do so.  There is no need to be concerned about the numbers.  The most important thing is your feeling to the Buddha and the teachings, and certainly not number of them.

After listening all her complains, I shared my understanding and appreciation on the Dharma with her.  She finally understood what I shared with her.  I hoped that she realized the importance of having a mind of seeking the Dharma in her daily life.

I often hear from members same kinds of excuses like this lady saying, such as "Past ministers did not tell me like that.  When the tradition changed?" or "In mainland, they do not do it.  Is this tradition for only Kapaa Hongwanji, Kauai, or Hawaii?"  What do you think?  For me, it does not matter whether the location is in Japan, Mainland, Hawaii, etc.  Wherever I go, the teaching is the same.  It does not change.  Also, I do not care what others say, because I do what I truly believe as a follower of the true path of the Nembutsu.  Please do not give me excuses such as above, because this is your religion.  You should know what your teaching is.  If you observe a memorial service, you should know why you observe the service and what you need to prepare for the service.  If you offer the incense, candles, fruits, etc., you should know why you offer them.  Without knowing about them, it is meaningless.  Please have a mind of seeking the teachings.

There is a saying that Shinjin emerges from the proper arrangement of the Buddha's altar.  How you arrange your family altar depends on you.  However, if you are truly entrusting the teaching, your altar will be arranged in proper way.  You will not argue whether the minister should bring incense stick and powder or not; numbers of incense sticks the minister burned was enough or not; numbers of recitation of the Nembutsu was enough or not; etc.  Let us reflect upon ourselves and realize what is truly important for listening to the teachings of the Buddha.

"Whether you take up and accept the Nembutsu or whether you abandon it is for each of you to determine." (Shinran Shonin)