Sunday, June 22, 2008

Day Two of no power for the Hondo.

Despite the lack of power to run lights, the organ and the air conditioning (the temps were in the 90s), we went ahead with our services. Today, we honored the high school graduates of our Dharma School and awarded the GBC Scholarships.

We ran extension cords from the Social Hall to run the PA system and some lights on the naijin. We still do not light candles, a tradition that goes back to 1980s when the Hondo burned down (but it was due to an arsonist, not burning candles). Still the glow of the naijin is quite impressive. The brass items in the naijin are polished once a year, half at a time, so we have two "O-Migaki" days. That and the gold used reflect the light.

In place of the messages from our ministers, we honored the high school graduates, of which we had six. We also gave out three scholarships.

When the Dharma School studens were dismissed, we had a combined English and Japanese session and practice for the first time - Walking Nembutsu. Most Buddhists practice this as a way to Enlightenment, which is not a practice of Jodo Shinshu-ists. Jodo Shinshu-ists use Walking Nembutsu as a way to remind us of the Nembutsu, which is the primary way of enlightenment.

The adults walked around the Hondo in a circle, chanting the sutra, Ju Ni Rai, in measured steps. Starting with the left foot, take three steps and stop. It took a full circle to complete. When you pass the center of the Naijin (at either side of the circle), you turn to bow to Amida Buddha.

It was a little difficult to manage the service book and a fan and to see, since the Hondo was darkened, it was a great experience and people went home with a new look at Nembutsu.

The kids who were also affected by the power outage in the classroom buildings, were cooling off in the Social Hall watching "My Neighbor Totoro." Sunday Social, hosted this week by the Sangha Teens, was also held in the Social Hall.

The day was a reminder that Nembutsu is alive, and that it goes on no matter what crisis could occur. Could it be that it was only 25 years ago that the Hondo was reopened after being rebuilt from the ground up after the devastating fires that destroyed the preceeding Hondo? Although it was simply a day without electricity, we could have been reminded that despite that loss, we could still hold services.

Next week, the Dharma School is holding its Recycle Day - Part II and collecting aluminum cans and plastic bottles. This day was a reminder that we rely so much on electricity, yet the Nembutsu does not. It does not need the electricity, Amida Buddha does not need air condition. What a wonderful thing that we have learned that we could rely on!

Gassho,