Having the Torch of Light in the Long Tunnel

In November, we started to receive good news about the long-awaited vaccines for COVID-19. Even on the TV, it seemed as if everyone’s face lit up when they reported the high efficiency percentage (90%+!) of the vaccine candidates. People commented how they see the light at the end of this long tunnel.

This year I heard that some people were already getting ready for Christmas by October, showing how they couldn’t wait to wrap up this year and move on. 2020 felt like a tough year for many. Our hearts went out to those whose lives were seriously affected by these unprecedented difficulties and changes caused by the Pandemic. One of the industries that was hit hard was the hospitality industry including airlines for which many of my former colleagues work, and many people are losing their jobs and incomes. When conditions are unsure, the world looks dark for that individual even if the sun is out.

During this time I personally remembered oftentimes the smiles of the Sangha members. I don’t get to see our members, but trying to remember clearly the times I was able to see these smiles helps me brighten up the darkness I might have ended up surrounding me. Smiles have power. In that moment, people radiate the brilliance that is so beautiful, it makes us feel the warmth and energy within ourselves. It is also contagious. Just by trying to bring back the clear photo memory of the smiles, it made me smile.

Through my experiences working in airline industry where smiles are a must, I learned that things actually do get easier when you wear a smile on your face. Of course as a human being working throughout the year, there were days when I felt nothing like smiling, due to some issues maybe, but my senior colleagues would constantly say, “Raise the corners of your mouth!” So I would almost feel like wearing a combat mask on my face, used my buccinator muscle to pull the corners up despite my feelings pulling them down, and made my mouth look like “V.” Then, the “V” mouth eventually led me through to a better condition. It was a surprise, especially when I thought, “I won’t survive today” and yet survived the day and ended in a different spot.

It is said that the peacetime leaders and wartime leaders are different, but sure enough the “V” mouth was a reliable wartime leader who must have put my heart and body together. The body probably felt the strong will from the V shape, and every part of them worked hard to go that direction. It is not because it is difficult that we cannot smile; it is the smile that makes us go through the difficult times and make the next “me,” the next environment.

I remember the Zen term; “Be the master of each place.” It is somewhat explained as; if we can live without losing sight of our own ‘true self’, we will always be free and in the true place. For us in Jodo Shinshu, it probably is to live in Nembutsu. Because we have the Nembutsu, we are able to live this way. Although our lives might look darker now, the Nembutsu lets us realize that the light is already reaching us. Shinran Shonin says in his wasan, “It is a great torch in the long night of ignorance; why should we sorrow that our eyes of wisdom are dark.”

Amida Tathagata’s “Amita” means immeasurable: “Amita=ba” being the immeasurable light, and “Amita=yus” being the immeasurable life. Amida Tathagata is the Buddha holding these virtues. Shinran Shonin says that the Buddha’s “land (also) is the land of immeasurable light.” Because this light is working on us and is with us, we will not fall into the true darkness. We are already holding the Nembutsu as the torch of the light.

I am sure that the airline workers are not easily in the mood for smiling right now, but I am also sure and hope that they are also hanging in, putting on the “V” mouth smiles with their well-built buccinator muscle, saying it is for the customers, and it actually is for them, for their loved ones and the joys found everyday.

Right at this moment, everyone seems a bit lit up about the positive prospect at the end of the tunnel with the vaccines. The positive prospect gives us light, that gives us a sense of ease now. On top of that, the Nembutsu followers are always already holding the Great Torch in the long night. Let us reverently recite, Namo Amidabutsu.

In Gassho,

Rev. Sala Sekiya