Orange County Buddhist Church
Orange County Buddhist Church
Another year is coming to a close and, when I think about it, it makes me very happy that I have managed okage-sama de to reach it relatively unscathed. As I think even more about it, I know I will be even happier when I reach other side of the boundary we call New Year’s Eve, i.e., New Year’s Day.
It is somewhat strange that we give special significance to a single day when, in fact, except for the fact that it marks a new year, there is nothing significant or out of the ordinary about it in any real sense. For those of us of Japanese ancestry, of course, it means special food (if we’re fortunate enough to be invited to have some or we make or buy it ourselves). It is a national holiday, which means we can sit around all day and eat and drink and watch one Bowl game after another or watch reruns of the Rose Parade.
Many of us Americans probably appreciate New Year’s Eve even more than the day itself, possibly because we have reached the end of another year. On the other hand, it might simply be because it is an excuse to drink oneself senseless or very nearly so. I certainly hope none of those reading this do so, or if you do, I truly hope you do not drink and drive. Fortunately, our New Year’s Eve service, which begins at 8 o’clock, ends early enough that every other driver coming near you is not yet drunk or otherwise high on something or other.
Please try to contemplate on the year just ending and the year coming up and see the many situations in which you have been helped by someone to advance in some way or other. From the Jodo Shinshu point of view, it is hardly possible, if at all, to even live without the help of many, many people. To paraphrase Gary Snyder’s “Grace,” we are thankful not only for this meal, the work of many people and the sharing of other forms of life, but for our very life.
Think about it.
Gassho,
Dull-Rooted Jaan,
Rev. John Doami
