Fall Equinox

“Though we lack both disciplinary practices and wisdom, we can cross over the painful sea of birth-and-death by boarding the ship of Amida’s Vow.  Upon crossing over to the shore of the recompensed land, the dark clouds of evil passion will be instantly cleared away and the Enlightened moon of Dharma-Nature will quickly appear.  Then we shall become one with the light unhindered in the ten quarters, and shall benefit all sentient beings. Then and only the, can we say that we are Enlightened.”

The month of September is celebrated each year with the gathering called “Ohigan”.  September marks the end of Summer the beginning of Fall.  Change is in the air, we feel it in the weather, we change the clothes we wear, there is a change in our attitude as the cool air of fall descends upon us.  This the best time to practice our spiritual quest.  It is the best time to cross over to awakening or “Ohigan”.  Crossing over means to move from ignorance to awakening.  The result is becoming a better human being. 

Ohigan is a unique Japanese/Buddhist holiday.  It was created in Japan to remind us that harmony and balance exist in our world and in our lives.  Ohigan is a reminder to us to appreciate this moment of nature and it’s harmony.  The Japanese understood the fleeting nature of our world and created Ohigan to take time to appreciate this fleeting moment of nature and its harmony.

During this time of year, Buddhist practice what is called the six paramitas.  Dana (Selfless Sharing); Sila (Morality); Ksanti (Patience); Virya (Energy); Dhyana (Meditation); Prajna (Wisdom).  These are wonderful yet difficult practices for us to accomplish.  The Buddha has perfected these practices for us and we are the recipients of those practices.  In a mundane sense many of those closest to us are patient with us, they share with us, they give us energy and wisdom. 

We are made to cross over to awakening because of the kindness of others and all that we receive in this life.  The observance of Ohigan celebrates the harmony of nature, the harmony within each of us and all that we receive from the universe. 

Ohigan which literally means the other shore that denotes the Pure Land of peace, tranquility, harmony, compassion and wisdom.  All the attributes of the Buddha or Enlightenment. The term other shore means that it is off in the distance, and there is a body of water between us and the world of the Pure Land. 

In our minds we might think of the water as being a gently flowing stream, with beautiful ripples creating a soothing sound that is calming and beautiful.  But hidden below the surface is a raging, swirling tumultuous current that is dangerous and foreboding.  Despite this we cannot take our minds off the peaceful calm and serene other shore. And as the days and years go by our longing to be on the other shore intensifies.

The perception of a calm water between us and the other shore represents our inability or unwillingness to see the true self that rages below.  The self-centeredness and self-serving nature of human nature that prevents us from being able to cross over to the other shore.  The increasing desire to reach the other shore is the realization of our impending death and the ever increasing desire for peace and happiness.

When we come face to face with the reality of impermanence and the fragility of human life. This only increases the intense desire to reach the land of purity.  But the other shore is so far away and the water of doubt and ignorance won’t allow us cross over.  Thankfully the Buddha built a bridge.

Opening the eyes of Wisdom,

I will end this darkness of ignorance.

Blocking all paths of evil,

I will open the gate to Attainment.

The gate the Buddha opened for us or the bridge he built is the nembutsu “namoamidabutsu”.  When we awaken to the truth of our human nature and turn to the Buddha to embrace us, we hear the calling voice of the Buddha from the other shore that beckons us to come, just as we are.  At that moment we respond with Namoamidabutsu. 

Ohigan, celebrates Spring and the hope of new life, a regeneration of life.  We don’t know what life will bring us, but the “Gate of Attainment” will be open to all of us.  There we can find new hope and a new life. 

Gassho,

Rev. Hosei Shinseki