Happy New Year!

Akemashite Omedetou Gozaimasu!

Hello to all Southern Alameda County Buddhist Church members. As we enter this new year there are many changes in store for all of us.

I sincerely hope that we canget to know each other well and learn to work together for the sake of the Dharma inSouthern Alameda. If we consider our relationship as one brought about through thedharma we can recognize a higher purpose for our efforts as a Sangha.

Shinran Shonin, in the Tannisho, is quoted by Yuien-bo as saying: "As for myself Shinran, I do not have a single disciple. If I could makeothers say the nembutsu through my own devices, they would be my disciples.

But how arrogant to claim as disciples those who live the nembutsu through thesole working of Amida's compassion.

If the karmic condition is to come together, we shall be together; if thekarmic condition is to be separated, we shall be separated. How absurd thatsome people assert that if one goes against his own teacher and says thenembutsu under another, he cannot attain birth in the Pure Land. Are they sayingthat they will take back the true entrusting which is a gift from Amida as if it belonged to them? Impossible that such a thing should happen.

When we live according to the reality of "made to become so by itself," we shall know gratitude to the Buddha, as well as to our teachers." (Tannisho, tr. Tai Unno).

We are brought together through the wonderful influence of the Nembutsu of the Amida Buddha. If we can keep this in mind, our efforts and our relationships with eachother will work out smoothly in accord to the reality of "made to become so by itself."

May each of you find Nembutsu in your daily lives and be encouraged in these difficult times that we live in.

namoamidabutsu. Myokei C. Himaka