December 2023 Rinzai Maui Zen Mission Newsletter – Rinzai Zen Mission

A few weeks ago, Reverend Maya Hara and her sister Yayoi of Lahaina Jodo Mission reached out to ask permission to build a temporary prototype structure on our temple grounds. Their original planned site fell through. This temporary 20'x12' structure is intended to show our Government officials and community how quickly it could be built to house people who had lost their homes in the recent wildfire tragedy. This project, led by Shigeru Ban and 12 architectural students from Japan, was built in three days. Architectural students from the University of Hawaii also provided labor, as did Monk Sen. This structure will eventually be moved to Lahaina.

Dec. 27th (Wed)

As a reminder, Reverend YAMAGUCHI's memorial service will be held on Wednesday, December 27th at our temple. It will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a catered luncheon. Reverend Seiya Chisaka and his daughter will be helping with the service.

Jan. 21st (Sun)

On Sunday, January 21st we will be having our Annual Meeting at 10:00 a.m., after the morning service. At this time I will be stepping down as President of our temple. We are looking for candidates for our next Board of Directors and Officers. Please let me know if you are interested to lead our temple into the next era. A potluck luncheon will follow our

Thank you for supporting our Rinzai Zen service and meeting. Mission for these years! I'm also greatly appreciative of your support for me during my tenure as President here! Have a wonderful holiday season, and best wishes for a healthy New Year!

In Gassho,
Alan Nago
808-281-7181
President, Rinzai Zen Mission

Dec. 31 (Sun)

Aloha everyone,
as we say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one, let us gather in front of the Buddha to reflect on our lives. Take a moment to express deep appreciation for the countless blessings we have received throughout our lives and look forward to a peaceful New Year and a good life, guided by the compassion of the Buddha. Additionally, this year, we will have a ceremonial burning of amulets (omamori). If you have old amulets, please remove the plastic covers and bring or send them to the temple by Joya no Kane. In addition to the new amulet, we will provide paper Buddhist amulets for homes or companies accordingly, dedicating the benefits of the sutra to the amulets. We will serve Toshikoshi soba (year-end noodles) and refreshments after the bell ringing. Let's express sincere gratitude to our departed loved ones and ancestors for the guidance they've provided. Hope to see you all!

Dharma talk

I would like to introduce a prayer for food. Many of you may be familiar with the Japanese phrases "Itadakimasu" and "Gochisousama."As you know, before a meal, we put our hands together in Gashho and say "Itadakimasu" to express gratitude for the gift of life. We recognize that our lives depend on other lives.

After finishing the meal, we say "Gochisousama," expressing deep appreciation to those who worked hard to provide the food. Now, let's delve into another aspect: the Five Reflections chant in Zen Buddhism, which is called "Gokan no Ge" in Japanese.

食事五観の偈（しょくじごかんのげ）
一つには、功の多少を計り、彼の来処を量る。
二つには、己が徳行の全闕（ぜんけつ）を忖（はか）って供に応ず。
三つには、心を防ぎ、過貪等（とがとんとう）を離るるを宗とす。
四つには、正に良薬を事とするは形枯（ぎょうこ）を療ぜんが為なり。
五つには、道業（どうぎょう）を成ぜんが為に、応にこの食（じき）を受くべし。

私たちがいただいている食事は、実際には命そのものであることを忘れてはなりません。私たち人間や
動物は、他の生物から命をいただかなければ生命を維持できません。だからこそ、いただいた命を通し
て周りに還元していくということが大切なのです。そして地球46億年の営みは、こうして自分の命を次
の者へバトンタッチすることで綿々と受け継ぎ営まれきたのです。他の命をいただかなければ生きてい
けないことに対して、謙虚であることを忘れてはなりません。むやみに食べ過ぎたり、えり好みしてし
まうことは避けましょう。ついつい忘れがちなことだからこそ、こうして食前に手を合わせ唱えるので
す。他の生き物への思いやりを持ち、目の前の食事をいただきましょう。