To listen to the Buddhadharma is not merely
to listen to sermons that inspire gratitude,
but rather, it is to awaken to the reality that we are
always in the midst of circumstances for which we
ought to be grateful. - Sasaki, Hasumaro

In these quiet days after our busy annual Obon season in July and August, these words of Sasaki, Hasumaro remind me of "the reality that we are always in the midst of circumstances for which we ought to be grateful". I am remembering our combined Obon and Hatsubon service - of families gathering to remember their loved ones who passed during the past year and the meaningful dharma message by our guest speaker, Rev. Dr. Nobuo Haneda. Also, I am thinking of our many temple members coming together for the bazaar preparation of assorted foods; the construction of many booths and the electrical set ups, games for children, raffle prizes for our two-day bazaar fundraiser. I am remembering too our many friends from neighboring temples and churches and our local community supporting our effort; the Salt Lake City Buddhist Temple Jr. YBA members and their parents infusing extra energy into our Obon odori, and the observers who too became dancers. It was a few short days of intense activity - tiring and exhausting for some, stimulating and energetic for others. Then, in the aftermath of the weekend, the cleanup in a matter of days - the dismantling of all the booth constructions; returning the lumber and all the other items to their respective places; returning the temple, gym, classrooms, kitchen, Issei Hall, the barbeque pits seemingly as they first were. The comings and goings of all this in a seemingly short time seemed magical...and, I am, again, impressed, humbled, and grateful to so many of our members and friends who came together in chorus to create this harmonious annual event.

This is my 8th year of ministry in Palo Alto. While the days, months, and years have passed quickly, I continue to feel privileged to witness and participate in our Obon activities. This Obon season brings to mind, the third of the Threefold Refuge - taking refuge in Sangha, possibly because this is the time where many of us come together collectively and the dynamics of working together are highlighted. Although taking refuge in the Sangha refers to the natural outcome of our individual effort in taking refuge in the Buddha and Dharma, the Obon season is a time of collectively worshipping together, working together, and participating in the varied activities and programs. In a short, but intense time, without acrimony or disharmony, our Obon season, for me, enhances and heightens the meaning of our life together as a Sangha through our shared faith in Buddha and Dharma. The threefold relationship of Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha, to me, deepens and affirms our individual and collective life and faith as Buddhists. It is another opportunity in our temple life "to awaken to the reality that we are always in the midst of circumstances for which we ought to be grateful".

" To awaken to the reality that we are always in the midst of circumstances for which we ought to be grateful" is expressed in the common shared task of planning, preparing, participating, and producing our annual two day gathering. The coming together in a common activity or project allows us time and opportunity to set aside our personal concerns and reconnect and engage our fellow sangha friends and others in sustaining our common life as Buddhists.

Finally, I hope that in the busyness of our Obon season, you have found much enjoyment and satisfaction in your participation and contribution to the many activities and programs sustaining our temple and sangha. A conversation, a comment, a shared story or laughter too may have sparked feelings of gladness in coming together - even in perhaps experiencing the feeling, "yokatta"! An inexpressible mixed feeling of a wonderment and gratitude for the time shared together.

For me, our Obon season was and is "yokatta! So thank you all again for your commitment, contribution, participation, and limitless energy in helping to sustain our temple as "a special place" for faith, fellowship, and fulfillment. See you next year.