As you already know, this year, 1999, our Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii’s slogan is "Home - Talk Story Together". The slogan brochure mentioned; "A home is a place where the families relate each other with love and care. Unlike a house which is meant to be a structure or building, a home is a domicile of family ties and domestic comfort."

Each one of you has a home and a family. As there are homes and families, we can live at ease. However, do you know where is your spiritual home and what is your spiritual family?

Buddha taught us that a home is a place where we hear and learn the Teachings of the Buddha. This place is not only a temple but also your home, community, senior center, and so forth.

Now, since coming to Kapaa, I visited most members’ houses. At first, when I enter their houses, I put my hands together in front of the altar. I am very glad to see the Butsudan at members’ houses. Nowadays, instead of the family altar, TV and computer are taking the place. However, I think the family altar is the most important means and supports our True Entrusting Mind to Amida Buddha.

The family altar is a very important treasure from your ancestors. However, it is not for our ancestors. We do not say or invoke the Nembutsu for the sake of our ancestors’ peaceful repose. Rather, we make the Butsudan the center of our life through the Nembutsu gratitude. For the object of our Shinjin which means the true entrusting mind is only Amida Buddha and nothing else. So we place only Amida Buddha in the altar. We do not place Ihai (memorial tablet) or good luck charms.

There is a saying that Shinjin emerges from the proper arrangement of your family altar. How you arrange your Butsudan properly is your decision. If you are truly trusting Amida Buddha, your Shinjin will appear in the proper arrangement of your family altar. Our founder, Shinran Shonin mentioned, "Whether you take up and accept the Nembutsu or whether you abandon it is for each of you to determine." 

(The collected works of Shinran, page 662)

When I was a child, I was awakened by my grandparents or parents every morning. At the beginning of each day, we chant the "Shoshin-ge" in our temple. It was hard for me to get up early in the morning. After having finished our morning service, we ate the offering of rice for Amida Buddha. Hearing this you may think "What a good family!" But I was always unwilling to get up so early. However, I appreciate my family and Amida Buddha, because now I can share the joys of the Nembutsu with you.

Children grow up by watching their parents’ actions and learn by watching them say the Nembutsu. Whether you accept the Nembutsu or not, that is of course your decision. However, I hope you put the family altar in your home and live in the Nembutsu.

Namo-Amidabutsu