Nembutsu and Daily Living

Written by Cynthia Alm for the 17th World Buddhist Women’s Convention

It is an honor to be with you today. My life has been enriched by Buddhist teachings, the kindness of our ministers, and the life lessons shared by members of the Buddhist Women’s Association, or BWA. It is with deep gratitude that I offer these reflections.

Recently, I was asked, “When did you become a Buddhist?” In truth, I have always thought of myself as Buddhist because my family is Buddhist. We are descendants of Japanese nationals who went work on Hawaiian sugar plantations more than 100 years ago. In 1881, Hawaiian King David Kalakaua traveled by ship to Japan. It was his first stop on a worldwide tour. He met with Emperor Meiji and encouraged immigration of Japanese agricultural workers to Hawaii.

The voyage by ship from Japan to Hawaii took several weeks. Although I do not know all the difficulties my ancestors endured on the ship and on the sugar plantations, I know that they encountered hardship and that Jodo Shinshu teachings were important to them.

One of my early memories is of my grandmother asking me to place an offering of the first portion of freshly cooked rice on her home altar, ringing the small bell, putting my hands together in gassho, and saying “Namo Amida Butsu.” At the time, I did not understand anything about Buddhist teachings.

When I was older, my mother and I would stand in front of our family’s home altar expressing gratitude for each beautiful day. My mother was an elementary school teacher on weekdays, and on Sundays taught Dharma School. We attended services at a small branch temple within walking distance from our home. I learned about the Eightfold path, recited the Golden Chain of Love, and sang gathas, but I did not intentionally practice what I had learned.

It was not until my own daughters were adults, and I joined the BWA that I began a journey to a deeper understanding of living the life of Nembutsu.

One of my first activities as a BWA member was learning how to make tsukemono, deliciously preserved vegetables to be served as part of a meal. At Hawaii Betsuin, an annual tradition has been selling tsukemono as a fundraiser. Our teacher was the BWA member who made the tsukemono. She was in her 80’s and wanted to show others how she made tsukemono so that we could continue the tsukemono-making tradition.

To document the activity, I wrote an article for our temple newsletter. When I showed our teacher the first draft of the article, she thanked me and gently asked me to include in the article her gratitude to the many people who helped her for many years – the man who donated the vegetables and the many BWA volunteers who helped her. She said it took many people working together to make the tsukemono and that she was grateful for all of the help. In this small encounter, she taught me about interdependence, gratitude, and kindness.

Being grateful seems simple. It is easy to be grateful for things that make us happy or give us comfort. We can appreciate acts of kindness, words of encouragement, and a friendly smile.

What I have learned, however, is that gratitude is most needed when it is most difficult to be grateful. When I feel afraid, sad, or confused, or when I feel intentionally harmed or treated unfairly, it is almost impossible to feel grateful. The negative thoughts are profoundly unsettling. However, when look for something to be grateful for, as difficult as it might be, then a negative encounter becomes a positive one, a lesson learned and appreciated, and the once-in-a-lifetime moment treasured.

Three years ago, in March 2020, a statewide stay-at-home order was issued by the Governor of the State of Hawaii to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Schools and businesses were closed. Churches, temples and synagogues were closed. Only essential activities such as obtaining healthcare and buying groceries were allowed. Our lives were severely disrupted. There was uncertainty and fear.

In June 2020, BWA members were invited to share reflections on their initial experience during the stay-at-home period. Activities such as walking in their neighborhood, exercising at home, gardening, creating art, singing gathas, writing poetry, and folding origami cranes, gave them joy and helped them during that challenging time. Pets were playful companions and brought comfort. Saying the Nembutsu, reciting the Three Treasures and the Golden Chain of Love also sustained them. Upon learning that healthcare workers needed facemasks, BWA volunteers sewed and donated more than 5000 facemasks.

Appreciating the pandemic as an extraordinary and unrepeatable experience, focusing on gratitude, helping others, and sharing understandings such as “We can make the most of each precious moment” “Strive to live each day well” “Ichigo Ichie” – these are BWA examples of daily living.

Ichigo Ichie – treasure each unrepeatable moment. I first heard the words, “ichigo, ichie” several years ago. A beautiful song, with the title “Ichigo, Ichie” was composed and performed by a Hawaii ukulele virtuoso. The words have greater meaning now that I am older and have been a caregiver for elderly family members. Life is impermanent – each moment is to be treasured.

A few months ago, in the early evening, I sat quietly next to my aunt, one of my mother’s two surviving younger sisters. We watched from my aunt’s window as children and parents in the playground next door enjoyed the end of the day. My aunt has dementia and could not remember how many children I have, or my name, but could still sing the gatha “Ondokusan” and recite the Nembutsu. Each person is appreciated, every moment is joyful.

Women have had a significant role in supporting and carrying forward Shinran Shonin’s teachings, starting with his wife, Eshinni, and daughter, Kakushinni. The women in my own life, including many BWA members have taught me about the life of Nembutsu by their examples of daily living and by sharing their stories.

In Hawaii, “mahalo” means thank you. And “aloha” means hello, goodbye, and love. It is an expression of deep personal connection. Mahalo BWA members and Aloha.

As a final note, my grandmother’s home altar is still in use. It has been moved several times – from an old plantation home, to a newly built family home, to a condominium apartment, and to a senior citizen home where my mother’s sisters now live. My parents are now deceased and the home altar that was in their home is now in my home.

Namo Amida Butsu, the Nembutsu has always been guiding and nurturing all of us.

My sincere appreciation on this unrepeatable day of the 17th World Buddhist Women’s Convention.