Nichiren Shu Buddhist Temple of London Newsletter

May - June 2008

“Sweep Dirt! Clean Grime!”

As the end of the year approaches, Japanese people perform general housecleaning for the whole house. This is an annual tradition in Japan called “O-So-ji” which means “O” major, “So-ji” cleaning. This includes their wishes that throughout cleaning the old year’s dirt, they wish to clean and purify the bad elements or karma within the old year in order to have a good new year. “So” of “So-ji” means sweeping away, “Ji” means removing and extinguishing. So-ji can be understood as cleansing of bad or evil omens. In fact, after cleaning we feel fresh and lively as if we have purified our body and spirit. So-ji includes in it both meanings of physical and spiritual cleansing.

In fact, training to be an official minister initiates cleaning. Shami: novice minister who receive training under their master, have to work very hard everyday. Day after day the cleaning continues from early morning until late night, especially the washroom. Sometimes I was awakened in the night from a cleaning nightmare. Often I was tired and thought, “Why should I clean the washroom day after day, I would like to study the Buddha’s teachings more.” However, a Shami learns his primary foundation to be a Minister through cleaning unconsciously.

Generally, there are not so many people who love to clean. Usually, people perform cleaning with feelings such as, “I don’t want to do cleaning, but I know, I have to” and needless to say it includes cleaning the washroom. No one wishes to clean the washroom. But to be a Minister, a Shami must do it whether he likes it or not. Otherwise there is neither learning nor development, if he complains, “I don’t like dirty jobs”. So, in the beginning, the Shami’s clean the washroom as they struggle between their vocation and their real intention. Soon they realize the reality of how hard it is to clean a washroom. Although they never imagined it would be such hard work when they used it before. Therefore, after this long training, their behaviours become gentle and kind unconsciously. Sometimes they face such dirty situations with a washroom and then they realize the foolishness of human beings and feel woeful and emptiness. All is a drill for a Shami. Through the drills they learn perseverance and spirit of compassion and pleasure to service people. From olden times, it is said that cleaning a washroom makes people have a gentle character, because scrubbing toilet bowls pounds the immature ego, vanity and selfishness and polishes the characters smooth gentle mind. Cleaning seems an insignificant matter but it is the most important training to be able to learn many things with their body and mind. They improve their own character to dedicate themselves to missionary work.

A long time ago, there was one disciple of the Shakyamuni Buddha who attained enlightenment by cleaning. His name is Cudapanthaka. Generally there is an image that the Buddha’s disciples are intelligent and smart, but he was not. He was foolish and he could not memorize even his own name, but finally he became a great enlightened figure in Buddhist history.

First, Cudapanthaka became a disciple of the Buddha on the recommendation of his brother who had a very perceptive mind. However, though he did his best always, disciple-hood was so hard for him, because he could not memorize anything. He often struggled with whether to remain in disciple-hood or not, but at last he decided to leave. When he was leaving, the Buddha called on him and He ordered a disciple of him. “Cudapanthaka, you stay here and facing to the east, chant repeatedly like this, “Sweep Dirt! Clean Grime!” while wiping your hands with this white cloth”. However, he could not memorize even this phrase. He tried many ways, but it was not so easy for him. He continued trying to memorize the phrase while he was washing his hands. As many days went past, his white cloth, which the Buddha have him, had become very dirty caused by his grime. He became upset at the dirty cloth and soon he tried to wash out the dirt many times, but he could not make it white like before. After, he was sad and worried; he went to the Buddha and apologized with tears. The Buddha said to Cudapanthaka who was staring at the cloth. “Your white cloth did not become dirty because of the grime from your hands; it was caused by grime from your mind. If this is so, how are you going to take care?” Cudapanthaka answered, “I will do my best to clean my grime and others grime.” He began to clean everything, the garden, main hall, washrooms and others shoes, bags, clothes, etc. while he was chanting “Sweep Dirt! Clean Grime!” Other disciples noticed and were surprised at Cudapanthaka’s different behaviour. No longer did they treat him as a fool. One day, some disciples tried to test Cudapanthaka who lately had a good reputation and asked him to make a speech before many people. In the speech, he spoke about himself honestly before the audience. He said, “I am truly a foolish person. Therefore, I don’t have any good teachings to preach to you, only what I remember and have practiced under the Buddha. I wish to share this, please listen to this gently.” As soon as he explained, he recited slowly with a beautiful and gently voice. “Sweep Dirt” Clean Grime!” “Sweep Dirt” Clean Grime!” The disciples who had tried to test him were very impressed by his deep compassion in his voice and they apologized to him. His short speech was concluded with applause.

Cudapanthaka held the teaching of cleaning through his whole life and he maintained cleaning practice for others physically and mentally. He dedicated his life to clean his mind. Although he was a foolish person who could not memorize even his name, finally he achieved the path sublime of the obedient mind. Even today after 2500 years, this true story encouraged us very much.

Cleaning is mere cleaning, but cleaning will bring us many teachings. My Master lectured me about cleaning always, “Cleaning cleans the Temple but also will cleanse your mind as well. When you wipe dirt off the floor, you should think that you wiped the dirt off your mind as well.” “A broom sweeps and cleans anywhere; floors, stairs, the garden, but the broom cannot clean itself. A broom needs others to clean it. In the same manner, we, human beings, cannot clean our own mind by ourselves. We need company to help scrub out mind as we help to scrub others minds.”

“A floor cloth cleans the floor and absorbs a spill on the carpet. While the cloth is cleaning, gradually it is becoming dirty and old, but the cloth never complains. This shows us the ideal faith of the Lotus Sutra; though a person helps and supports many people to be happy, he doesn’t boast, isn’t proud, isn’t arrogant, and does not want anything in return, just smiles always. This is the way of the Bodhisattva.”

Regarding cleaning the mind, Nichiren Shonin said in his writing, “A troubled mind is like a non-cleaned mirror. However, if you clean it well, the mirror can be a gem mirror to reflect the truth. Have firm faith and clean in morning and evening without negligence. How should you clean you mirror? Just chant “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo”” Chanting Odaimoku cleans your mind. A misted mirror can be cleaned, but a misty mind we cannot notice by ourselves and also we don’t know how to clean it. Every day, out mind can be hurt and clouded easily. We should therefore clean it. We can clean and purify our mind simply by chanting Odaimoku.

As we get used to cleaning, we tend to get lazy or cut corners. However, if you clean your house with the teaching of cleaning the mind, you cannot help but clean it thoroughly. With the rhythm of Namu Myoho Renge Kyo, you can clean not only your house, but also your mind. Through cleaning physically and mentally, you will realize a light and lively feeling. Please engage in cleaning physically and mentally every day with Odaimoku. Gassho.

How to chant Odaimoku

First of all, let us chant Odaimoku “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo” correctly. Some people chant “Nam Myoho”, but Nichiren Shu pronounces “Namu Myoho” traditionally. In some regions of Japan, it sounds like “Nam Myoho” because of a countryside accent. However Nichiren Shu Buddhist should pronounce it as “Namu Myoho” always.

Please make your mouth wider for proper pronunciation and chant as loud as the circumstance allows you. Basically, to chant Odaimoku it should be done slowly and comfortably. You can chant quickly by yourself but then the sound of Odaimoku seems unclear and incorrect. Therefore, you should slow down until you are able to pronounce exact. Please be careful to prevent chanting Odaimoku nervously and quickly.

Daily service, usually we chant according to the following order: Invocation, Opening Sutra, Hoben-pon, Jigage, Nichiren Shonin’s writings, Hotoge, Odaimoku, Prayer and Four great vows. If you want to mainly chant Odaimoku, you may chant: Invocation, Odaimoku, Nichiren Shonin’s writings, Prayer and Four great vows. This is Nichiren Shonin’s teaching.

“Regarding the daily practice, the Daimoku of the Lotus Sutra should be chanted, “Namu Myoho Renge Kyo.” If possibly, a verse or phrase of the Lotus Sutra should respectfully be read. As an auxiliary practice one may say a prayer to Shakyamuni Buddha, the Buddha of Many Treasures, the numerous Buddhas throughout the universe, various bodhisattvas, Two Vehicles, Heavenly Kings, dragon gods, the eight kinds of gods and demi-gods who protect Buddhism as one wishes. Since we have many ignorant people today, the “3000 existences in one thought” doctrine may be difficult to contemplate from the beginning. Nevertheless, those who wish to study it are encouraged to do so from the start.” (Sho Hokke Daimoku-Sho)

You may chant Odaimoku anytime and anywhere: happily, joyfully, sadly, painfully, in the house, office, school or on the streets, silently or loudly according to the situation. Chanting Odaimoku is the main practice to uphold in the Lotus Sutra. The Buddha’s supreme teaching; the Lotus Sutra is the source of energy for life for all Buddhas, all bodhisattvas and various gods and deities. We may receive the Buddha’s merit by upholding the Lotus Sutra.

In order to accomplish a project, we make efforts harder, but it is not so easy to do it because sometimes it cannot be achieved by only our efforts, we have to integrate three things, a given condition, human wisdom and energy. We may uphold the Faith of the Lotus Sutra by chanting Odaimoku and we will receive the Buddha’s wisdom and energy as guidance. First let us start to chant Odaimoku every day.

-ANNOUNCEMENT-

HANAMATSURI (Flower Festival) – The Buddha’s Birthday Service – 4th May at 1pm

About 2,500 years ago, Prince Siddhartha was born on April 8 at Lumbini Garden, located in Nepal near the Indian border. His father was, Kind Suddhodana and his mother, Queen Maya. It is said that the Buddha stood upon birth; walked seven steps and said, raising his right hand toward the sky, “In heaven and on earth, I alone am honoured.” We celebrate the Buddha’s birthday by holding the Hanamatsuri (literally Flower Festival) Service. In the Service, we build a miniature shrine decorated with flowers, place the statue of a baby Buddha pointing to sky and earth in its centre, and pour sweet tea over the statue with a small ladle. The service will be held on Sunday, 4th May at 1pm. After the service, we will hold a Potluck Luncheon to celebrate the special occasion. Please bring your favourite dish that all may share (vegetarian meal: egg and cheese are allowed.

UPDATED SCHEDULE FOR PILGRIMAGE TO JAPAN – 16th-24th of May 2008

May is the best season to visit Minobu. The weather is warm and the mountain is very beautiful, covered with a vivid green carpet and wild flowers. We will visit Japan with the following schedule. This schedule will cover all major places and Temples.

May 16th depart Heathrow Airport
17th – arrive at Narita Airport (Chiba)
18th – Seicho-ji, Tanjo-ji, Kyonin-ji, etc. (Chiba)
19th – Ryuko-ji, Kosoku-ji, Ankokuron-ji, etc. (Kamakura)
20th – Captain James 100th Memorial Service (Minobu)
21st – Shishin-kaku, Mt. Shichimen (Minobu)
22nd – Ikegami Honmon-ji, James Slope, etc. (Tokyo)
23rd – free time (Tokyo)
24th – depart Narita Airport – Heathrow.

We have closed the application for the pilgrimage on 20th April. Three people will participate in this pilgrimage. If you have any questions, please speak with Rev. Tsukamoto.

OBON SEGAKI SERVICE

The date of Obon Segaki Service is changed from August to July. Traditionally Obon is held in July because Japan used the lunar calendar before, which is one month different to the present calendar. We will hold the service on Sunday, 13th July at 1pm.
Please not that sometimes, due to mail delivery, the prayer form does not arrive until the day after the Service has been held. I have enclosed the form along with your newsletter in order to prevent your prayer form arriving late.

BUSINESS TRIP AND PILGRIMAGE TO JAPAN

Rev. Tsukamoto will be in Japan from 10th May until 26th May. If you have any business, please contact Shami Shoken Conley 0208-731-7925.

 

Report
BUDDHISM SEMINAR IN SHEFFIELD – Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th April.

Rev. Tsukamoto held a Buddhism Seminar in Sheffield. He preached about the Buddha’s life, basic Buddhism teachings, Nichiren Shonin’s life, the Lotus Sutra and service manner. There were a total of eight people who attended and shared the teachings and food. The Seminar was successful and concluded with anticipation for the next seminar.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

March and April 2008

Mrs. Pimjar Adcock; Mr. Victor Videira; Mr. Ganden Billard; Mr. Ben Capon.

Thank you very much for your help and donations.

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