November of the last year, my family had an opportunity to take a vacation on Oahu. It was a first time for me to spend a vacation with my daughter and wife. During the vacation, we went to climb the Diamond Head. My daughter was not able to walk by herself yet, so I carried my daughter on my back. We spent about 45 minutes to reach the top of the mountain. I was very tired because Mai was on my back. Unlike me, Mai was very excited. I thought she would fall a sleep on my back. However, she was enjoying climbing the mountain very much on my back. When we reached the top, blue sky and beautiful ocean came to our views. I cannot describe them by words. I always see the ocean, mountain, and nature in my daily life. However, it was totally different sight by just changing where you stand.

There is a well-known story, "Momotaro". There was an old man and his wife living in the country. One day, the old man went into the mountains to cut firewood, and his wife went to the river to wash some clothes. While washing the clothes, she was very surprised to see a big peach floating down the river. She pulled the peach out of the river and decided to take it home. Late in the afternoon, the old man came back home, and his wife brought a big knife and was getting ready to cut the peach in half. But there was the sound of a human voice coming from inside of the peach. Suddenly the peach split open, and a beautiful baby boy jumped out of the peach.

When Momotaro was about fifteen years old, he decided to go to Ogre Island to help his country. Many wicked ogres lived there, and they often came to his land and did bad things like carrying people away and stealing their things.

His journey to Ogre Island has begun. During the journey, he met a dog, a monkey, and a pheasant. They usually hated each other, however, all became good friends and followed Momotaro.

When they came within sight of the island, they could see that the ogres seemed very strong and fierce. And there were many, many ogres of red, blue, and black color. It was a terrible battle! The pheasant pecked at the heads and eyes of the wicked ogres. The monkey clawed at them. The dog bit them. Momotaro cut them with his sword. At last ogres were completely defeated. They all bowed down low before Momotaro and promised never to do wicked things again. Then they brought Momotaro all the treasure they had stolen from others.

I think most of you know this story. If you correctly understand this whole story, Momotaro is a very good man and a hero. However, if you read only the part of battles with ogres, he is a bad man. By changing the viewpoint, it will be changed.

Some of members told me, "Our temple members do not like me. Because they do not help me at all." Now, I like to ask you. Do you like yourself? If you do not like yourself, who would like you.

It may change the situation, if you can change the viewpoints of others. If you look down on others, you will not be able to get along with others, because you are lack of humility, and respect to others. Because we are imperfect beings and attached to blind passions, we tend to think ourselves first.

"I rejoice in the Compassion of the Buddha. I will respect and help others and do my best for the welfare of mankind."

You always recite Shinshu Pledge on Sunday services, meetings, and so forth. Are you reciting this pledge as an incantation? You need to understand this pledge correctly and keep it in your mind and heart at all times and in all places. Let us keep the mind of "Oneness" and grow and work together as a Dharma Family.

"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