Oneness
Sensei Koho Takata
Today is a memorable day for me. I am writing this article on June 1. It was the day I officially came to this temple as a resident minister. Since then, already seven years has passed. It was very fast. Soon after my assignment, board of directors adopted my request which was the changing of the monthly bulletin’s name from “Spotlight” which continued over 40 years to “Oneness”.
“Oneness” means that Amida Buddha and we are always together, and we, as a Kapaa Hongwanji Ohana and as a Sangha, grow together and work together in the Amida Buddha’s Golden Chain of Love. This is why I am sharing in my article what other members are complaining, grumbling, questioning, and so forth without hiding any facts for pursuing the betterment of our Sangha. I hope that we, each one of us, always keep holding the spirit of “Oneness” for further listening to the Dharma in our daily lives.
As I recalled past seven years, we carried out many things. We reactivated Jr. YBA in May 1999 to provide the opportunity for youth to deepen their religious understanding, to meet socially, and to bring future leaders, organized Dharma School PTA in August 1999 to support Dharma School programs, Senior Buddhist Association in January 2000 to guide and support our youth movements and to help temple activities, initiated the first statewide Dharma School Parents & Students Conference in April 2002, installed our new altar in our temple in June 2002, celebrated our Triple Celebration which was the Temple 80th Anniversary, Women’s Association 90th Anniversary, and New Altar Dedication in October 2002, participated interfaith services and activities since 2003 such as hosting Kapaa Interfaith Association Annual Thanksgiving Day Service and Community Food Service, 911 Interfaith World Peace Service, Martin Jr. King Day Interfaith Service for Peace, Justice, and Harmony, etc., started annual Dharma Day Camp which was the two weeks summer fun program for children in 2004. These were just major things and countless programs and activities were carried out by all of you.
There are some ongoing projects. We started sharing the Dharma open to the community regardless of nationality. As a result, they are slowly joining our temple services and activities. We are planning to repair and replace our temple railings, steps, temple roof, etc. for safety. We are planning to build a new columbarium in front of the personage. Board of directors is working hard for success of those ongoing projects. We are truly grateful. If you are interested in joining board of directors to take a leadership of our temple, we always welcome you. Please do not hesitate to join us.
In Buddhism, we talk about interdependent with all beings and things. We cannot do anything by ourselves. We always depend on others. However, we cannot see it and we always take many things for granted.
“Hard it is to be born into human life. Now we are living in it. Difficult it is to hear the Teachings of the Buddha. Now we hear them.” (Homages)
We are now alive and listen to the Dharma. How grateful we are. Because of the Dharma, I could come to Hawaii, meet you, carry out many projects and activities with you, and so forth. If I did not encounter the Dharma, I would not be here today. Once I shared about “Who Brought you here?” at Sunday Dharma Service. When I deeply reflect upon myself in the past seven years at Kapaa, ten years in Hawaii, and thirty four years in my life, I truly appreciate the true fact of my existence today. I was really supported and guided by countless people and also I was encountered many situations and conditions brought me here today. It was not only thirty four years since my birth till today, but also long long years I was receiving countless situations and conditions to be born here and listen to the Dharma now. I am truly a grateful being.
As I welcome my seventh anniversary as your resident minister, I rededicate myself, look forward to working with you in the spirit of “Oneness”, and further listen to the Dharma with you. Thanks for your unchanging support, guidance, understanding, and help.
“A family is a place where minds come in contact with one another. If these minds love one another the home will be as beautiful as a flower garden. But if these minds get out of harmony with one another it is like a storm that plays havoc with the garden.” (The Teaching of Buddha)