Expansive Mind

Reverend Koho Takata

We recently held Kyodan's Chicken & Sushi Sale in April, Women's Association's Food Sale & Sr. Buddhist Association's Mochi Sale in May, and we will hold the Bon Dance in June.  Every month, we have some kind of fundraising to support and maintain our temple and each organization.  I guess that you are already tired of participating with all the fundraisings.  I would like to thank all of your selfless contributions to the Kapaa Hongwanji Mission, and humbly ask for your continued support.

As I observed the recent food sale by Women's Association, I can say that outwardly it was a successful event, but, inwardly it was not successful.  The reason why I say like this is that I received lots of grumbling and arguments from members both before and after the event.  I always listen to any kind of argument, fighting, complain, grumbling, and so forth.  However, I felt that it was a little too much at this time.  It made me very sad.

I always appreciate Women's Association for their supports to my propagational works, youth organizations, fundraisings, and so forth.  The ladies of the Women's Association are like mothers and grandmothers for me and every members.  As I borrow Mrs. Oda's words, "The minister is the center post of the temple and is like the father in the family and the ladies are back-bone of the temple and are like the mother." 

As I reflected upon the event, one of problems was the lack of the communications.  It made some speculations and misunderstandings among the ladies. 

Right now, we have about 60 ladies in the membership.  Once a month, ladies hold their meeting.  However, not many ladies show up to the meeting.  So, only few members make decisions.  This is the one of causes of the problems. 

If the first Saturday of the month is inconvenient for ladies, we can change the meeting schedule.  Also, if there are those who are not available to attend their meeting, we can try that each district representative calls the ladies to inform the important event or reminder, send meeting minutes, or attach the minutes in the newsletter.  I strongly hope then that the problem of the lack of the communication will be dissolved.

The other big problem was the lack of respects to each other.  Each lady has unique contributions.  Each lady has a different personality.  Each lady has their own way of thinking, speaking, acting, cooking, and so forth.  We have to always remember to respect their individuality.  If the way of cooking, thinking, etc. is different from you, let us respect her way.  Let us do not grumble about it.  Before grumbling about others, let us reflect on ourselves.

I strongly feel that if you can accomplish to respect others, more young ladies will be joining the Women's Association.  Ladies sometimes discuss about why younger generations do not join the Women's Association.  The answer is clear.  Because you are older than younger ladies, you have more knowledges, and you know more effective ways of doing, however, you need to respect their way of thinking, doing, and so forth.

We always recite the Eightfold Path on Sundays.  There are; 1) Right Understanding – We should learn and try to understand the Truth taught by Shinran Shonin, 2) Right Purpose – We should try always to do what is right, 3) Right Speech – We should be truthful and kind in all we say, 4) Right Conduct – We should try to behave ourselves at all times, 5) Right Livelihood – We should earn our living in a way which will not harm anyone, 6) Right Endeavor – We should constantly try to improve ourselves, 7) Right Thought – We should try to have good and pure thoughts because our words and our actions arise from our thoughts, 8) Right Meditation – We should think often of Amida Buddha and recite the Name, Namo-Amidabutsu.  Let us always remember and keep the Eightfold Path in our minds.  Also, Dharma School students expressed the Six Paramitas by their own words.  I printed them in this newsletter.  So please read carefully and follow the Buddhist way of life by practicing them in our daily lives.

Although I mentioned about Women's Association in this article, it is not only ladies but also about I who have small and am full of selfish mind.  Although I want to have an expansive mind like ocean, I, too, always get angry, complain, and grumble about others.  It is my true human nature.  This event reminds me of the importance of practicing and listening to the teachings of the Buddha.  Let us all reflect upon ourselves and follow the Buddhist way of life and realize the Perfect Wisdom of Amida Buddha who guides us all in our daily lives.  

"The faults of others are easily seen.  The faults of one's own one does not realize.  If we realize anything wrong with us, this means it is so much wrong that it becomes known to us.  We should take things this way and mend our minds.  Only trust wells in what others say.  We are prone to overlook our own faults."

Namo-Amidabutsu