Voiceless Voice
Sensei Koho Takata
Our Dharma School had an educational trip to Honolulu from June 10 to 12. First of all, I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to all those who helped their fundraising and supported financially. I firmly believe, because of your selfless contribution, our Dharma School could have a very meaningful trip. Thank you very much. I humbly ask for your continued support and help for the future of our temple leaders.
We had a peace service at Punchbowl, visited Valley of the Temple, Honolulu Zoo, had a morning service at Buddhist Study Center, had a fellowship gathering at Moiliili Hongwanji Mission, visited Pacific Buddhist Academy, attended Hawaii Betsuin Dharma School service, and visited Hawaii Kyodan Headquarters and Book Store. I hope all students, parents, and teachers who participated in this trip learned many things. It is my wish that all of you continue to seek the Dharma and further listen to the Dharma in your daily life and I hope we will have an educational trip in the near future.
On the first day, we visited the Valley of the Temple to see the big statue of the sitting Amida Buddha, large bell, and Japanese style buildings and garden. As you know, I was one of the associate ministers of Hawaii Betsuin for about 2 and half years before my assignment to Kapaa. During that time, I often went to the Valley of the Temple for conducting inurnment service, memorial service, funeral service, and so forth. So I had strong confidence on how to get there. However, I lost my way. I was cruising my rent-a-car for almost half an hour. This incident reminded me of the importance of keeping the ‘beginner’s mind’.
Once I shared a story of “Empty Your Cup” in my Dharma sharing. A young person was very proud of his knowledge about Buddhism and went to see a master to discuss the Dharma. When he reached the temple, he was invited to the master’s room and served tea by one of the disciples. Then, the master instructed the disciple to pour the tea into the cup. As the cup was filled with tea, the disciple was going to stop pouring. However, the master instructed the disciple to pour more tea into the cup. So, the disciple kept pouring tea into the cup. As the tea was almost overflowing, the young person could not remain silent and he said to the master, “it is overflowing!” Then, the master said to the young person, “You are like this cup of tea. If you want to learn anything, you first have to empty yourself. If not, there is no room for the Dharma to enter.”
I always tend to think myself, “I know this; I already heard this; I already saw this; etc.” When I went to rent a car, the counter lady asked me whether I needed a map or not. Because of my strong confidence, I did not take the map she offered to me. I was like the young person in the above story. However, this incident reminded me of the very important practice to empty myself and keep the ‘beginner’s mind’. Also, it reminded me of the attitude of listening to the Dharma.
The incident also reminded me of another important thing which is the essence of our teaching. While I was losing my way to Valley of the Temple and crusing around Kaneohe, a member kept calling my cellular phone and asking me, “Sensei, where are you driving right now?” She guided me on how to reach the destination by calling me. Because of her guidance, I finally could reach the Valley of the Temple. It reminded me of Amida Buddha’s calling.
I am always wondering how to live in this suffering world. However, Amida Buddha always guides me on how to live in this suffering world and how to end the suffering. Although I always forget Amida Buddha’s calling, Amida Buddha never forgets to embrace me at any time and in any place. Whenever I call the Name of Amida Buddha, I am reminded of the true fact that I am made to live in the Buddha’s Infinite Light and Life. This is why I am truly grateful. Let us listen to the voiceless voice of Amida Buddha in our daily lives.