Moon

Reverend Koho Takata

Last month, I had an opportunity to go to Kipu Kai which was the private beach.  On the way to Kipu Kai, I saw many animals such as wild pigs, peacocks, horses, goats, etc.  We crossed over a mountain to reach Kipu Kai.  The view from the top of the mountain was so beautiful.  When I reached Kipu Kai, I walked the beach from one edge to another edge.  It was very beautiful beach.  The sands on the beach and the color of the ocean were totally different from the public beaches.  I could see many lives living in the ocean such as fishes, opihis, crabs, etc.  I was really touched by the nature and enjoyed it very much.

When I was in Honolulu, on my days off whenever I had a time, I often went to the beach.  Since coming to Kapaa, I did not have much time to go to the beach compared to before.  However, I am now trying to make time to go to the beach at least once a week.  So I have sun tan again.  When I was a young, especially before the marriage, the ocean was just a place to play and have fun.  However, now the ocean has become not only a place to play but also a place to calm my agitated feelings.      

I did not have any thoughts how the ocean was so wide and deep.  Before, I did not feel about the ocean in this way.  However, whenever I look at the ocean, I sense now the greatness of nature in her.

Whenever I gaze at the ocean which quiet and gentle or rough ocean and try to calm my turbulent feelings, I still cannot calm my thoughts completely.  Despite my desire to calm my mind, there are some conflict feelings within myself that prevent me to do so.  I am always reminded of living in the suffering world by my strong attachment to my desire.  Thus, I go to the beach sometimes to relax and to play, or just think and reflect on one thing or another.

Recently I also had an opportunity to see the full moon.  It was really beautiful.  When I looked at the ocean at that time, the moon was reflecting on the ocean.  The shining light from the moon and the waves in the ocean were beautifully contrasted.  I cannot describe the harmony of the beauty and greatness.  Whenever I experience nature, I feel its deep secrets which are beyond all words.  However, the nature makes me to realize many things every time. 

            "My eyes being hindered by blind passions,

            I cannot perceive the light that grasps me;

            Yet the great compassion, without tiring,

            Illuminates me always."        (CWS, P.385)

When I looked at the full moon reflecting on the ocean, this hymn came to my mind.  Shinran Shonin always deeply reflected upon himself and confessed his evil nature.  He was always humble and practiced humility throughout his Nembutsu life.  Whenever I reflect upon his Nembutsu life, it makes me to realize of my imperfectness; how I am ignorant and how much I carry the blind passions! 

Even though I think that my mind is clear like blue sky, my mind is always covered by the clouds of various blind passions.  When my mind of sky is cleared up, I will be able to see the Truth and reach the state of the Perfect Peace. 

Whenever I breathe in and out, it is finite.  One day I will breathe out and not breathe in.  I limit my world by my self-centered eyes.  However, it is important for me to experience and aware of the infinite world by my body and senses.  This is why I practice meditation to see my true self and accept it as it is.    

The reflecting moon on the ocean made me to remind the fact that the moon never fails to shine on all things.  In other words, I was reminded of the Buddha's Great Compassion always shining on me, and Infinite Light reveals my darkness that is within deep in me whenever and wherever I am.  However, my blind passions always obstruct me to realize it.  This is why I go to the ocean.   

            "How wide and boundless the ocean!

                        Where the moon rises and the sun sets.

            The grand waves, the blue waves in the ocean,

                        As they swirl, how far do they go?

            Oh, how I want to get on a ship!

                        And sail to another land!"