Good for What Ails You
This was going to be my farewell letter. However, in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, I cannot help but focus on how you are doing, with my prayer that you be safe and well, free from harm and difficulties, and finding comfort and strength in our teachings. I have often mentioned, over the course of my tenure at SFVHBT, that when we hear a message, we may or may not believe we need the lesson at that particular time. However, everyone encounters difficulties during their lifetime. If we hear the dharma and reflect on it often enough, we are brought to internalize its universal truths so that when our situation seems painful or untenable or insurmountable, the means to cope arises within us. Our teachings won’t make the problems go away, but they do give us immutable peace of mind and a healthy perspective that enables us to transcend any difficulty. Our Nembutsu teaching is sort of like a vaccination. Though we continue to suffer from the three poisons, it enables us to keep going with calm assurance, no matter what lies ahead.
It’s never too late to seek the path. People are called to it when their causes and conditions make them ready. They could even spend their whole lives going to the temple and never really hear anything until the right time comes. This isn’t good or bad; it’s just the way it is. For some people, the coronavirus pandemic provides the situation and the space and time to reflect and wonder about those big questions: What’s life about? Why is this happening? What is my place in this vast universe? Why am I suffering disappointment, frustration, dissatisfaction, anxiety, or a general sense of malaise? Now is the time to check it out.
Ever since the stay at home order was decreed a couple of months ago, we’ve been holding virtual dharma gatherings via Zoom. Under the current circumstances, I chose this media platform because it gives us a chance to see and talk with each other. That’s also why the Wednesday evening gatherings were initiated—a sangha is a group of people who are walking the dharma path together. There’s nothing like shared challenges to strengthen that bond and give each other support. It’s comforting to me to see so many people tuning in, including several dharma friends who normally can’t make it to our temple. Of course I’m happy to see all of you, but it is also heartening to know that you are relying on the teachings, for they are indispensable to our well-being, now and always. To remind us again, the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha are treasures for profound reasons.
Further, I encourage you to explore the many online dharma offerings of other Shinshu ministers. Every one of them is sincerely dedicated to sharing their experience of the teaching, and it’ll expand your own understanding. You’ll find a convenient listing elsewhere in this newsletter. Many of the messages are posted on YouTube or Facebook so you can view them anytime, and there are wonderful podcasts you can listen to as well. There are also lots of temple websites with written messages. Even if you’re interested in a service that’s being live-streamed at another temple at the same time as ours, by all means, take it in! It would fill me with joy and gratitude if you find ministers or messages that resonate with you. This variety would probably not have come about so quickly without the COVID situation and it’s true that each person hears things differently, so variety is essential. Indeed, the possibilities for the sharing and flourishing of the Buddha-dharma and the Jodo Shinshu teaching have arisen from a most unexpected source.
As I indicated at the beginning of the message, this newsletter issue is to be my last. I know I’m dragging my feet on the good-byes, but I do plan to write to you again before my retirement. So much to say, and my attachments are many. By the way, did you know that “good-bye” is from the 16th century English for “God be with ye”? So, I always say “Buddha-bye,” and without a doubt the Buddha, Immeasurable Light and Life, is always with you. So am I. Until next time. Namo Amida Butsu.
Gassho,
Rev. Patricia Usuki