Submitted by Rimban Toyokazu Hagio Wrong means leading a selfish life without any gratitude to other lives. Right means living as if you were the other being. In truth, taking care of one’s own life means respecting others’ lives. In Gassho  

Submitted by Rev. Yuika Hasebe Do you have anyone you can’t get along with? Could the person be one of your family members, relatives, friends, co-workers or neighbors? You might have had some issue with the person in the past, or you just can’t feel comfortable being together with him/her. The feeling may last several […]

Submitted by Rev. Shingo Furusawa Even though I say that Amida Buddha is always with you, you may say, “I cannot see the Buddha and I cannot feel the Buddha is with me.” If so, please recite “Namo Amida Butsu.” Namo means rely on. Amida Butsu means Amida Buddha. Namo Amida Butsu is the calling […]

Submitted by Rimban Toyokazu Hagio This COVID-19 international pandemic means being cornered in an inescapable situation, however, through deeply reflecting on ourselves having been born in this world as human beings, and encountering the true teaching, this is truly a once-in-a-long-time opportunity. In Gassho  

Submitted by Rev. Yuika Hasebe The sutras state, “When we see the water, we can see it as water, but when a hungry ghost sees water, they see it as fire.” Even when we see the same thing, what we can see in it is different. In difficult circumstances, we tend to see negativities in […]

Submitted by Rev. Shingo Furusawa One devoted Hongwanji member stayed alone after her husband passed away. Whenever people asked her, “You do feel loneliness, do you not?” She replied, “I never feel loneliness because Amida Buddha is always with me.” Due to COVID-19, we all must stay home. At times you may feel loneliness. When […]

Submitted by Rimban Toyokazu Hagio People think of “impermanence” as having a pessimistic meaning, that things change for the worse, but impermanence does not always mean that things are getting worse. Misfortune can also take turn for the better into happiness. There is a saying that “there is no night not followed by morning.” This […]

Submitted by Rev. Masanari Yamagishi Hi everyone. I hope this message finds you well. How are you doing? May has started. I am looking forward to seeing you again soon at the temple in summer although we face the issue of the coronavirus, COVID-19 for now. I know the issue is one of the sufferings […]

Submitted by Rev. Yuika Hasebe As a net is made up of a series of knots, so everything in this world is connected by a series of knots. If anyone thinks that the mesh of a net is an independent, isolated thing, he is mistaken. It is called a net because it is made up […]

Submitted by Rev. Shingo Furusawa Buddhism teaches us that the present is the most important. We should always be mindful how every moment is precious and unrepeatable. Due to the COVID 19, we must all stay at home. We cannot do the things we are used to doing. But we can do many things during […]