Orange County Buddhist Church

A Way Of Seeing (Year-end 2003)

        The old calendar
        Fills me with gratitude,
        Like a sutra.
                - Buson

As we approach the end of the third year of the second millennium of the Common Era, I marvel at the fact that I am still alive, and, although it is not quite time to toss this year’s calendar away, I still feel good that I have reached the end of another year. I do not know what Buson (1716 – 1783) had in mind exactly, but to me the haiku says I am very grateful to have been enabled to live another year, to be able to dispose of another year’s calendar, and to live in the Buddha Dharma, which, too, fills me with gratitude. (I do not know who the translator of this haiku was nor do I know the original Japanese words.)

Buson is said to have been a Pure Land Buddhist, which might account for a sutra filling him with gratitude. It does not really matter. The main point to me is that the haiku evokes the feeling of gratitude I have for having been enabled to live another year and to hear the Buddha Dharma. And in relatively good health!

I take this opportunity to thank everyone for all that you have done for my family and me. Okage-sama de, we have been enabled to get through another year relatively unscathed, indeed, quite well, beginning with your friendship. Arigatoo-gozaimasu (it is a situation quite difficult to realize, indeed, realized only with your help.)

Please take care of yourselves, so that next year you can take every opportunity to listen to the Buddha Dharma.

Thank you very much.

Gassho,
Donkon Jaan, Rev. John Doami