Dharma October 2007

The Irony of It All!

K. Ken Fujimoto

For an organization that stresses the Buddhist principle of impermanence, it seems that we have a difficult time accepting change. This has always struck me as being ironic and it seems to hold true for all levels, the affliated organizations, temples and the national organization. It is manifested in many ways and seems extremely pervasive.

We can see it from the way a temple will conduct their services to how they do their luncheons and dinners. We seem to find something that we feel comfortable with and stick with it without further thought. A certain level of familiarity is comforting and can be a plus, but there are times when it may no longer be the most suitable and we need to be open to different ways of doing things. It seems as if we are more concerned with the level of effort involved than we are with exploring possibilities. The simple law of physics, that it takes more effort or energy to change the course of a moving object than it does to keep it going, seems to apply here as well.

One example is the service format. Different temples seem to have particular chants and gathas that they use. This is good in that people will be familiar with the music and chants so that they can more readily participate. However, it makes one wonder why certain temples use a particular sutra more frequently than others and another temple will use a different one altogether. Regardless of what might be used at any particular temple, we should remember that there is still a wealth of sutras and chants that we can use that could generate more excitement and interest that are often ignored. The same thing can be said for the readings that we use. There are so many that we could use, but what is it that makes anyone a favorite for a temple and never used at another?

Another example of people getting into a particular mode and sticking to it can be seen in meals at temple functions. Some temples will have pot lucks, others get catered, still others have a rotation of crews and cook, there seems to be a preference for bento lunches here. These are all fine and each style has its good points, but why not do something different at times to see if you can get a different group of people to actively participate?

These are minor examples that are not that important, but they do seem to manifest a mindset that is more pervasive. We do not want to change what we have. This may be "human nature" but it is one of the roots of suffering in our lives. Changes happen in the situation that will lead to changes in what and how we do things.

This is something we all need to realize and accept, especially as Buddhists. We need to accept and incorporate change as the need arises without getting stuck in that which has been done. Change needs to be embraced, but we need to be wary of the pitfalls of making changes without careful consideration of whether the changes are being made because of actual necessity or if it is because it is an easy means of looking as if we are addressing an issue without really doing so. We must remember that interdependence goes hand in hand with impermanence and any change may affect more than what we may think.

We can see examples of this in all aspects of our lives, from our daily routine in the morning to national and international affairs. We all seem to want to stay in our comfort zones. Sometimes, even we wil see that change is necessary. However, we may look at the obvious without looking for the root causes and implement changes that, not only does not deal with the real issue, but also creates a worse situation. We should know that because of the interrelated nature of all things, takng care of one aspect of an issue wil not lead to resolution. Doing this leads to confusing and contradictory laws and conflicting viewpoints between people who only see a portion, a different portion, perhaps, but only one, of an issue.

There is no easy solution. We need to constantly be aware of the changes that are occuring in our world and be ready to adapt as necessary. We should not be looking for the easy way out, but look for the root cause. This may seem like an impossible task, but if we each take it upon ourselves to start doing this in our own lives, it will be a start. Then we can extend it to the temple life since we are an organization that lives and grows with the reality of impermanence and interdependence.
Gassho. . .

Depths of Blindness

G. Sakamoto

Throughout our lives we are constantly faced with choices. Some are trivial. Some profound. Usually the choices we make are short lived and flow by us as a series of events that fill our day. When we wake up. What to eat. What to wear. Get gas, get gas later. Even when we're operating on autopilot we're making decisions. Some decisions we regret: mismatched socks. Should have paid more attention. Sometimes we make decisions that return to us many years later and we are either happy we made that choice or uncomfortable remembering. The happy choices we've made are well and good, it's the choice we've made that are uncomfortable that need more careful consideration.

The first of the Four Noble Truths is Dukha, life is characterized by difficulties. We often think of difficulties as immediate effects resulting from causes we experience in this moment. I touch something hot I feel pain. Make a wrong turn down a one way street. Actually happened the other day, at Reed and Third, what a surprise. I was able to turn into a driveway and avoid the traffic racing at me. Had the outcome been otherwise, big difficulties. However, the difficulties that the Buddhadharma speaks of is much more deeply rooted than the immediate consequence of our actions. This is simply cause and effect, karma.

When we make decisions there is effort on our part. Our choice is an expression of our own desires. This is the root of duka so difficult to remove. If dukha were a matter of adjusting our daily behavior it would be possible to change and resolve our difficulties. Don't drive, can't turn down a one way street. Buy the same color socks, no mismatch. These actions would resolve particular problems but other problems would arise. If I don't drive, how will I get anywhere? What's a VTA schedule? Should I buy all blue or all brown socks? Should I change my wardrobe to match my socks?

Like so many other choices that arise from our desires, preferences for socks and driving are of little consequence. However, desires can express themselves in ways that can have tremendous consequences. The desire to hold on to one's possessions or to accumulate more possessions. The desire to hold on to a point of view regardless of the facts before you. We manipulate our world to satisfy our desires. People, objects, views are all subject to our manipulations.

The most profound expression of our desires, the cause of difficulties that the Dharma speaks to, arises without our awareness. We see it in others. We say they are greedy or filled with hate or unaware. Yet we cannot see these characteristics in ourselves. We are blind to our own desires. Like an iceberg we see only the most obvious, but are unable to fathom what lies beneath the surace. It is this that the Dharma draws our attention to. Not the manipulations that we are engaged in, but the root cause that determines our choices.

Scientists tell us that no memory is an accurate record of what actually happened. We embellish or simplify events, often leaving out or adding to our memories. When we remember something we are uncomfortable with, a decision or a choice we've made, the memory is of something that has already occurred. We are remembering something with some emotional distance yet close enough to still affect us. We may no longer be embroiled in the circumstances of the moment, free in part, to look for the cause of our discomfort. If the Four Noble Truths is correct then the cause of our discomfort lies in our own desires.

Examining memories is not the only way to see how much our desires influence our choices. But memories are more approachable, after all these are events that have already occurred. The more adept we become at recognizing the influence of our desires, the more we realize how powerful and unexpected these desires can be. Through examining a personal event the truth of the Dharma becomes personal. Not an example that someone has described but an event from our life.

Milestones Achieved

Al Hironaga

For this month's article, I am again highlighting activities around the Betsuin.

Rinban Fujimoto's 30th Anniversary - 2007 marks Rinban Fujimoto's 30th Anniversary with the BCA. On Sunday, September 9, the Sangha surprised Rinban with the presentation of a BCA Certificate of Appreciation by Socho Ogui at the 9:30 Family Service. We told Rinban that the Socho was visiting to observe our Membership Day activities, which were occurring that day. Socho Ogui presented the certificate in front of a standing room-only audience in the Hondo. Following the adult service, a surprise luncheon was held at the Miraido Village Community Room, with attendance by the board members, Komon, and representatives of the many Betsuin organizations. I would like to thank Diane Fujioka for secretly planning and coordinating the luncheon, and also thank you to her helpers Terry Oshidari and Dina Hayamizu and the others who assisted during the luncheon. And congratulations to Rinban Fujimoto and his family! When you see Rinban, don't forget to congratulate him on 30 years of service to the BCA.

'''Membership Day Fair (AKA Organization Day)''' - On that same Sunday, the Betsuin held its first (annual?) Membership Day, where the Betsuin's organizations manned tables in the gymnasium to show the Sangha what they are all about and to sign up new members. The BWA, ABA, Board, Sangha Support, Jr. Choir, Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Lotus Preschool, Dana Club and E-Script had representatives with displays at the many tables. The Jr. Choir had many photos and memorabilia from their recent trip to Japan. Thank you to Steve Ichinaga for planning and coordinating the event and to all of the participants who made the day informative and fun.

Keiro Kai - I had the distinct pleasure of attending the Keiro Kai luncheon sponsored by the Buddhist Women's Association (BWA). At the luncheon, BWA members who were at least 80 years old were honored. Many of the women who were honored are the same ones who continue to work very hard starting in the wee hours of the morning making sushi, chirashi, bota mochi and other delicacies. These women are living proof that there is a relationship between hard work and long life. Thank you very much to the BWA for inviting me to the event and congratulations and thank you to all of the honorees for their many years of support to the Betsuin.

BCA Bishop Elections - Excitement is in the air at the BCA. There are two ministers who were nominated and have expressed the desire to become the next Bishop of the BCA. Socho Ogui, the incumbent, and Rinban Miyaji, of Fresno Betsuin, are vying for the office. Here at San Jose Betsuin, we are very fortunate to have hosted both ministers for Sunday services within the past month. Socho Ogui was here on September 2nd and 9th, and Rinban Miyaji was here on September 16th. The election of the Bishop is a long procedure extending from the nomination by the temples, review by different groups, election by the BCA National Board and Council to final approval by the Hongwanji. I will try to keep you informed about this ongoing process.

Property Management - Thank you to Gordon and Sheryl Sinclair, parents of Betsuin girl scouts. Gordon provided and installed new Pergo flooring in the third floor office of the Sixth Street building. Sheryl was responsible for the donation of tables and chairs for the same building by Qualcomm. Thanks also to Roy Batchelor for taking the initiative to pull weeds in the garden in front of the Nokotsudo. The weeds grow fast, so if you have some time, we could use your help in pulling the weeds in the garden. I like to acknowledge those who do the work around the Betsuin, but I'm sure that there are things done that I don't know about. If you know of someone who deserves recognition for their support of the Betsuin, please leave me a note to me in the temple office or send me an email at [email protected] and I wil try to acknowledge their help.

In Gassho,
Al Hironaga