Return to Amida

Return to Amida.

So even dewdrops fall.

- Ryokan

The end of each passing year brings a pause to our busy lives. It offers a time for quiet reflection - to think and feel all that sustains our heart and mind. Our life is like a dewdrop, momentary and fragile, yet living in the midst of timeless life itself.

Spiritually, this pause offers a moment to hear the "voiceless voice" of Amida Buddha coming to us and it awakens our being to the sustaining power of immeasurable light, immeasurable life. Amida Buddha is the very name embodying Immeasurable Light (Wisdom) and Immeasurable Life (Compassion), not as a force of a supreme being, but rather, as the empowerment of true and real life itself. In the moment of our awakening to Immeasurable Light and Immeasurable Life, true and real life becomes ours - a truly sacred and shared life of interrelatedness with all beings. Such an awakening causes us to be humbled with inexpressible joy and gratitude. We are transported with meaning and deep entrustment into the family of all Buddhas and Bodhisattavas within and beyond our notions of time and space.

In this sacred spirit of sharing our life in this family of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas expressed in Namu-amida-butsu, I thank each of you for your faith, support, and participation throughout the year, in the coming year, and the years to come. May you all truly be happy and well; may no harm or difficulties come to you; may you live with peace and happiness. Namu-amida-butsu.