Orange County Buddhist Church  

    Since this is the month most of us celebrate turkey day, otherwise known as Thanksgiving, it seems appropriate to say a few words about giving thanks, especially since and although, giving thanks is supposed to be almost a practice for Jodo Shinshu followers.

    Many, if not most, of us have been taught that saying Namo Amida Butsu is like saying thank you and it is, although the primary reason for saying it is to acknowledge our tremendous debt to Amida for making it possible to see ourselves as we are and, in spite of, or because of, how we are, enabling us to realize enlightenment through Shinjin.  However, this is not to say that you should not say Namo Amida Butsu, Nembutsu, on other occasions.  A lot depends on whether we think about what is happening, which is to say that someone is giving us something (in the usual case).  It might be a smile or a birthday present, a ride to school or to the temple, help in doing something or getting over a particularly difficult time in our life, or it might be the sacrifice of someone’s life.  In any case, if we become aware of our dependence on that other, the okage-sama relationship, then saying the Nembutsu might even be a natural thing to do.  On the other hand, if we say it habitually without thinking, as we sometimes are wont to do with  “thank you,” then saying Namo Amida Butsu becomes rather meaningless.  If we say thank you as a matter of habit, at least it is a good habit; but if we say the Nembutsu as a matter of habit and without thought, we rob it of its meaning.

    Since I will be talking on somewhat the same subject this month, Nov. 10^th, according to the schedule, I will leave this here.  I hope you think enough of the Nembutsu in your life that you will make an effort to be there.  I hope, too, that I am able to say something meaningful for you as individuals.  In any case, please think about the above.  Thank you.

Gassho,
Donkon Jaan, Rev. John Doami

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