Great Vessel
Reverend Koho Takata
When I go back to Japan, I always use Japan Airline. Because I can have a business seat, though I pay only economy price. Needless to say, the business seat is wider than economy seat. I can relax from and to Japan about 8 hours. I heard that people in the old days came to Hawaii by ship and it took them a week or more. I am feeling that the old days and the present are really different due to the development of science and technology which have shortened the traveling time between long distances.
Sumo is one of the popular sports in Hawaii. As you know, the most popular Hawaiian wrestlers are Akebono and Musashimaru. Although Konishiki was retired, he was one of popular Hawaiian wrestler. When they go to Japan and come back to Hawaii, they get on the air plane and pay the same fee as us. Sumo wrestlers are usually large. I suppose they have about four or five times as much weight as me and maybe needs to buy two or more seats to be comfortable. In the matter of baggage, there is a difference, because there is a limit to the number and weight of bags allowed per person. We must pay an extra fee for additional baggage and weight. On the other hand, there is no limit to the physical weight. When one check in at the airline counter, no one questions about our physical weight. We can go to the destination by paying the same price whether we are heavy or light.
"The universal Vow difficult to fathom is indeed a great vessel bearing us across the ocean difficult to cross."
(Collected Works of Shinran, P. 3)
Amida Buddha carries all beings at all times and in all places with his Universal Vow which is like a gigantic ship.
When we get on the plane, ship, train, and so forth, we must buy a ticket. The ticket alone is essential to reach our destination. We cannot get on the plane or ship without paying the ticket fee. However, we can get on the Amida’s Universal Vow which is like a gigantic ship by receiving the true entrusting mind from Amida Buddha. And if we get on the Amida’s gigantic ship, we can certainly arrive at Amida’s Pure Land which is our ultimate destination. Scheduled air plane or ship have a definite destination and will take off on time. An air plane that takes off from Hawaii to Japan does not get to Australia. However, an air plane or ship may make an emergency landing at another place in case of an accident. On the other hand, when we depend on the Amida’s Universal Vow like a gigantic ship, we can certainly and safely be born in the Amida’s Land without landing at any other places and without any accidents.
Amida Buddha is always embracing us with his limitless compassion just as our parents, and is always calling us to get on the Amida’s gigantic ship. This great vessel never go off until we get on it. The airplane that we get on is sure to take off on scheduled time and we might miss it. Also, when we get on the air plane, we cannot get on without going to the airport. However, we can get on the Amida’s great vessel at any time and in all places. We are truly grateful. Let us express our gratitude to Amida Buddha as our response to his benevolence in our daily lives.
Namo-Amidabutsu