09/06/2017
Our Response to Hurricane Harvey
On Friday, August 25, a tropical storm which developed into Hurricane Harvey struck the state of Texas, creating major flooding devastation in Houston and threatening to inundate neighboring states, including Louisiana. The tragic loss of life, massive damage to infrastructure, and the destruction of the livelihoods of countless people is tremendous. This may become the worst flood disaster in U.S. history. Our hearts and thoughts go out to everyone who is suffering as a result of this catastrophic natural disaster.
Let us respond to the call for help from the survivors in every way we can. Let us also be aware that tragedies and natural disasters happen repeatedly, all over the world. We are part of the world community and we should remember that our Jodo Shinshu temples and churches must be mindful of people in all areas. I want to encourage you to support these relief efforts and to engage in social welfare efforts in your local community as well, wherever that may be.
In Gassho (with palms together),
Rev. Kodo Umezu, Bishop, Buddhist Churches of America
Statement on the Killing in Charlottesville, Virginia
On August 12, 2017 at a white supremacist rally, a neo-Nazi drove a car into the people protesting his ideology. He killed a woman and injured 19 other people. It was very deplorable and sad to see this incident in Charlottesville, Virginia. I would like to express my deepest sympathies and condolences to the victims' families and friends.
The action that we witnessed was caused by anger and hatred deriving from a sad American historical background. We, as American citizens and residents, are experiencing the heavy karmic effects of our past history. We should be reminded of the American doctrine that all people are equal, as we often hear. We should turn to the core values of each individual's religion or faith to find the way to live harmoniously.
No matter what path we walk, we know that we should not get angry or hate others. We know that we want to love everyone. And at a time like this, we all ask why this happened and how we can stop this type of human behavior.
We, as Buddhists, come to hear the urging voices coming from our teachers in the midst of this world of suffering ⎯ this world of samsara. The Buddha is standing with us with tears in his eyes, urging all of us to turn to the Infinite Compassion and Wisdom in order to transcend love and hate. Transcending love and hate does not mean that we eliminate our feelings of love and hate. It means that we recognize and understand that these powerful emotions exist within each of us; they are part of our human condition. We seek to encounter people who feel deep sorrow for our human condition and aspire to attain something worthier.
When we are touched and moved by the Vow of the Buddha to save all beings from suffering with Infinite Wisdom and Compassion directed at us to find the True and Real World beyond our foolish thoughts, we begin to live our lives with humility, understanding, and concern for one another.
Ultimately, we are all within the World of Oneness. Let us start with each individual to help create a better community by hearing the Compassionate Call from the World of True Equality.
Namo Amida Butsu,
Rev. Kodo Umezu
Bishop, Buddhist Churches of America
Ignorance and blind passions abound,
Pervading everywhere like innumerable particles of dust.
Love and hatred arising out of accord and conflict
Are like high peaks and mountain ridges.
(Collected Works of Shinran, p. 400)
When we reflect on the establishment of the Vow,
We find that the Tathagata, without abandoning sentient beings
in pain and affliction,
Has taken the directing of virtue to them as foremost,
Thus fulfilling the mind of great compassion. (CWS, p.408)
