Ministers Message by Reverend Kakuyei Tada

Toward the end of summer, I paid a visit to New York City. The reason for the visit was to go to Ground Zero and to hold the 1st Year Memorial Service for the 9/11 victims and also my mother who passed away the same day. Although I liked to attend the Hatsubon service which was held under the sponsorship by the Eastern District Ministers, because of my commitment to the Obon Graveside service schedule, I was unable to accept the invitation. I was finally able to find time to go to New York in August. This trip was purely personal.

A day after my arrival, my NY friend accompanied me to ride a subway to go to Ground Zero of the World Trade Center. As I was walking to the site, I felt increasingly tense and sober. By the time I reached the site, I was in total shock to see the empty devastated ground where once twin tallest buildings gracefully stood. Even though I watched the scene on TV, newspapers, and magazines so many times, it was still unbelievable that this is the place where more than 2,800 decent lives perished within a few hours. Looking down the site, I felt as if I was experiencing a nightmare. What a terrible site that was! I stood and became numb and in silence.

I was slowly becoming aware of reality. I was standing in front of the site of the national tragedy and meditated for the victims for a while. Looking at the site, I remembered vividly about my visit to the top of the building ten years ago. Then, I thoroughly enjoyed a wonderful panoramic view from the top of the south center. What a 360 degree magnificent view! I shall remember the view as long as I can live. The buildings showed its beauty and elegance and were an American symbol of grace and power. Today, the buildings were gone. The more I had read and seen the national tragic sights, stronger determination urged me to go to New York to hold a memorial service. As I contemplated on this sad day, there was another reason for me to go to New York. It was the same day my mother passed away. A sadness of national tragedy had added a double painful day for me to bear. It was the saddest day in my life.

I remember vidvidly the morning of September 11 last year. When I awoke up early to get prepared to go to Japan to visit with my gravely ill mother. As I turned on a television set, the screen showed smoke coming out of the north building of the World Trade Center. A TV narrarator informed that it could be an accident by a plane crashing into the building. Several minutes later, I watched the second jet smash into the south building. It was the beginning of the national crisis. The crisis forced to shut down all the airports. With hope of reopening the airports following day, I drove to the Rev. Ejun Kujo's residence in San Mateo. Next day, the airport didn't open. While I was waiting for resumption of air traffic, I learnt about the death of mother. Every attempt to fly to Japan for her funeral became impossible. Thus, the plan to go to Japan was abandoned. There was only one thing I could do for her. Reflection and remembering her as a true and real nembutsu follower who truly appreciated and valued her life. I joined with her in recitation of the nembutsu. The site was totally fenced around except the truck path. There were some visitors slowly walking along the public viewing place. In front of the fence in the viewing area, I held the Memorial Service for all the 9/11 victims and my mother. I wore the robe and kesa and set up a Rocky mountain tree with writing of Namu Amida Butsu - Chinese writings by late Rev. Yoshitaka Tamai. I slowly begun chanting Amida kyo sutra. As I was chanting, I felt that my voice was slowly rising and heard voices coming somewhere from the all the victims and the mother. To me it indeed was a sad and grief filled occasion but nevertheless it was a solemn and sober moment. This was to show my wish to memorialize the victims with sympathy and condolence and at the same time not repeat a tragedy again. At the same time, it was the feeling to share the nembutsu teaching with my mother. I had a compelling feeling that there was someplace in the light of hope in the world. It is the light of hope was shining from compassion of Amida Buddha. This service was also my mother's 1st year Memorial Service. It was purely a coincidental but both the victims of national tragedy and loss of my mother. It is not only an unforgettable day which made me a spiritual meaningful day.

(to be continued to next issue)

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The word "BAZAAR" is over with. It had to be a sigh of relief to everyone. So much time was put into it - but with everyone's help, young and old, we got it done. Can't "THANK" enough to our co-chairpersons, Larry Matsumura and Les Ito who did a super job overseeing this event - they were there when we needed them! It seems like we needed the younger bodies around - we senior members once who were full of muscles at one time but with age our muscles have weakened, so we appreciate some of our younger ones that pitched in to help. Have to mention some of our non-members who came to help - a big "Thanks to Them"! Overall we had lots of togetherness during the Bazaar time - it was the time we got caught on the latest gossips, old and new news, aches and pains, meeting new people, seeing old friends, new ideas of hints, some jokes, and best of all lots of laughter was heard! The Temple appreciates everyone's help, contributions, and donations to make this Bazaar a success!

Eitaikyo service was held on Sunday, October 27th with Reverend Akira Takemoto of Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. This is a special memorial service honoring all of our predecessors who passed away. Thanks to the Ontario Town Ladies for taking care of the Toban duties.

Sunday, November 17th at 11:00 am - Fujinkai Memorial will be observed with Reverend K. Umezu, (BCA assistant to the Bishop), who will be our guest minister for this special service honoring our deceased members.

Saturday, November 2nd, will be the annual Temple Cleanup. Our Temple is used pretty heavily at times, so this gives us time to do some cleanup and straighten things around - at times we neglect to put things back in order and it allows us to do some tedious cleaning around the altar. Every hand is very helpful and the job gets done in a hurry.

The Fujinkai meeting is scheduled for November 3rd at 1:00 pm. I think it is getting to be that crucial time of changing of the guard for new board members. We need to put our heads together and figure something out - it is the same old story of more excuses why they can't do it. I know many of us have taken a turn, but it may be that we have to recycle ourselves over again to keep this organization going. I hope that if your name is mentioned, you will accept the nomination.

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