Orange County Buddhist Church
Orange County Buddhist Church
- Golden Chain -
I hope everyone has a good summer vacation. Now school opens again. Our Dharma school and regular Sunday family service resumes on Sept. 7th.
This summer, I had a chance to participate in the LABCC camp. When I heard the term “camp”, I remembered the student camp that I attended in Japan. We set-up tents and slept on a mat on the ground. The rice was not cooked completely, and I was not so happy.
Compared with my past camp experience, LABCC camp was so much fun with many children. There were about 190 children, from ages 8 to 13, who participated in this wonderful outdoor program, and they spent one week at Camp Morning Star in the San Bernardino Mountains.
This year’s theme was the Golden Chain. We always recite the Golden Chain at our Sunday service, but let’s read it again.
I am a link in Buddha’s golden chain of love that stretches around the world. I must keep my link bright and strong
I will be kind and gentle to every thing, and protect all who are weaker than myself.
I will think pure and beautiful thoughts, say pure and beautiful words, and do pure and beautiful deeds.
May every link in Buddha’s golden chain of love be bright and strong, and may we all attain perfect peace.
We received a Dharma talk from Ministers at the morning service about this theme: “Do we think pure and beautiful thoughts, say pure and beautiful words, and do pure and beautiful deeds?” Yes, we read the Golden Chain together, but have I always tried to think pure and beautiful thoughts, say pure and beautiful words, and do pure and beautiful deeds? Sitting under the blue sky and bright morning sunshine, I questioned myself.
This Golden Chain describes the three major human actions (karma, Jp. 業 gō) in Buddhism, which are physical action – to DO (Jp. 身業), speaking action – to SPEAK (Jp. 口業), and mind action – to THINK (Jp. 意業). The most important action to control physical action and speaking action is “mind action – to THINK.” When my mind is not clear to see something as it really is, I may say or do something inappropriate. Once I have said or did what I should not say or do, it is too late. My words or actions have happened, and I cannot take it back.
Of course, it is almost impossible to live a perfect Buddhist life every day. However, it is very important to become aware of my emotional level, and observe myself in every action. Before we say or do something, let’s take a little breath to think if it is an appropriate action or not. In this way, we may avoid many unnecessary arguments and misunderstandings. Being aware of oneself is the first step on the Buddhist path.
The Light of the Buddha-Dharma always shines upon me even though I am not a perfect person.
Lastly, I want to thank all people who helped the LABCC camp to be a wonderful summer event for children.
Namoamidabutsu,
Rev. Mutsumi Wondra
September 2008
