For the third month in a row, I am writing my Temple newsletter under the Shelter in Place Order. While our Sangha has pulled together wonderfully to continue many of our regular Temple activities online, including weekly Sunday Services and Dharma Discussions via Zoom Meeting, my family and I really miss spending time with all of you in-person at the Temple. All in-person Temple activities through June have been cancelled or moved to a virtual format. Regrettably, that means that we will not be able to gather for our annual Temple bazaar this year, which is a great disappointment for our whole community. Bazaar is one of the most fun and significant times of the year for us to gather at the Temple and deepen our Sangha friendships through work and play. While the summer will not be the same this year without bazaar, we are working on plans for an online Sangha activity that will provide a fun opportunity to come together with our hearts and minds on Saturday, June 27.
With all the changes that this pandemic has brought to our lives, I have come to truly appreciate the in-person encounters in my life. These days I find myself delighting in across-the-sidewalk conversations from at least six feet away with neighbors with whom I had only exchanged passing greetings in the past. As I reflect upon the importance of spending meaningful time together with friends and family, I am reminded of the deep affection and warmth that exists between people who rejoice together in the Nembutsu. The great modern-day Jodo Shinshu Buddhist priest Rev. Jitsuen Kakehashi shares the following example of a friendship in the Nembutsu that blossomed in Japan during the 19th century:
There was man named Shinjiro who heard that there was Dharma teacher of profound insight called Ichiren’in living in Kyoto. Shinjiro travelled to Kyoto to receive Ichiren’in’s teachings and went straight to the teacher’s home to request guidance in the Dharma.
As he waited in the entryway, Ichiren’in came out and abruptly asked him, “So you’re the one who wishes to see me. What is your business here?”
“I have humbly come to hear the meaning of the six kanji characters ‘Namo Amida Butsu (南無阿弥陀仏)’.” said Shinjiro.
When Shinjiro replied in this way, Ichiren’in’s expression softened and he said, “In that case, I’m glad you came. However, if you’ve come for that reason, then you must have already heard something about the meaning of the six characters. What have you heard?”
“Namo Amida Butsu is the voice of the Tathagata [Amida Buddha] calling to me and welcoming me with the message ‘I will liberate you without fail.’ I receive these words as the flawless truth.” replied Shinjiro.
Hearing this reply, Ichiren’in delighted in his whole being, and stepping down into the entryway where Shinjiro was standing, grasped his hand said, “That is indeed the meaning of the six characters! That is the meaning of relying upon and entrusting [in Amida Buddha]. An excellent Dharma friend has come to visit me today. Please, please, come on in.” With these words, Ichinen’in ushered Shinjiro into his private room where they talked extensively about the Dharma.
(Myokonin no Kotoba by Jitsuen Kakehashi, trans. H. Adams, p. 220-221)
The two became close friends, and in Ichiren’in’s later years, Shinjiro moved in with him to assist with housework and other various tasks, so that he could hear the Dharma morning and night. The following story captures the profound joy that they shared in the Nembutsu.
On one occasion, Shinjiro was summoned to the room of Ichiren’in. When he arrived at the room, Ichiren’in simply recited the Nembutsu without giving any indication as to why he had summoned Shinjiro. Shinjiro waited patiently expecting that Ichiren’in would eventually say something to him, but no word of explanation was offered. Having been summoned, Shinjiro could not just walk out of the room, so he eventually began reciting the Nembutsu himself, at which point his teacher redoubled the vigor of his Nembutsu recitation. Before they knew it, it had gotten late and it was the middle of the night. At that point, Ichiren’in finally paused in his Nembutsu recitation and said, “Shinjiro, thank you for your company this evening.”
(Myokonin no Kotoba by Jitsuen Kakehashi, trans. H. Adams, p. 222-223)
I often think that I need to be saying or doing something special in order to spend meaningful time with my loved ones. When we hear the Nembutsu, the six characters “Namo Amida Butsu,” with the open heart exemplified by Shinjiro and Ichiren’in we are reminded that Amida Buddha has already taken care of everything that needs to be accomplished for our liberation. With that deep awareness of the Buddha’s compassion, we can let go of our striving and simply cherish the time we have together. As we live in these extraordinary times, may the voice of the Buddha calling to you in the Nembutsu bring you great comfort and peace of mind. Namo Amida Butsu