Dharma Message from Rev. Masao Kodani

“Go Figure ”

FROM THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF
PRAJNA: Light of Compassion
the Newsletter of Senshin-Ji

 

He who is sure about everything can see all the bumps in the road.

He who is unsure about most things very rarely stumbles.

If you plan very well, nothing will go wrong and you won't experience very much.

If you are happy now, not to worry, it will go away.

Want to float? Learn to relax.

Want to get to Catalina Island? Discipline yourself, get in shape, and swim 26 miles. Or get on a ferry for $26.

I came into this world naked, I plan to leave it with my best outfit, make-up, ceremony, food, friends, and praise. Or maybe I'll try and leave this world with nothing.

By the time I save up enough money for that once in a lifetime cruise, the cost will have gone up, or I'll not want to go as badly as before, or my kids might need something, or I might get sick, or I might get too old to enjoy it, or, or, or, or.

You don't have to go to temple to understand Buddhism. Yeah, when's the last time you heard anything about Shinran Shonin's teaching outside the Temple?

Some kind of religion is necessary to tell right from wrong — really? Buddhism is more a way of life than a religion — only if you define religion as belief in a creator God. Besides, what isn't a way of life.

The prayer of astonished thanksgiving is Namoamidabutsu, any other kind is ego.

I want to be happy, I want to be content, I want to help others, I want world peace, I want my kids to love me, I want to have a lot of friends, I want to be able to travel, I want to save the natural world, I want, I want, I want.

The closed fist owns only what is inside. The open fist shares the universe.

When I say yes to this, it excludes everything else. When I say no to this, everything else is a possiblity.

Say no to yourself and everything is a yes.

Gassho,

Rev. Mas

Rev. Kodani is the head minister at Senshin-Ji

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