Orange County Buddhist Church  

A Way Of Seeing  (2002 Endnote)

            What a joy!  Made it
           To yet another year-end.
           And yet what sorrow.
                 Donkon Jaan

    Okage-sama de my family and I have made it through another year without too much going wrong.  I thank all with whom we have come in contact and, especially, those who have made it possible for us to make it through life a little more easily and positively.  Thanks, too, to all those causes and conditions (and people) that did not hinder us in our progress through life.  Further thanks go to all those causes and conditions (and, again, people) that initially appeared negative, but which, in the end, enabled us to grow in understanding life and living.  Most of all, I must thank Amida for continuing to enable me to see and accept myself just as I am.  Namo Amida Butsu.

    I do not think I am all that old, but I must say that making it to the end of another year is a joyous occasion.  It is hard to decide which is more important:  the end of a year, the beginning of a new year, or my birthday.  On the other hand, except as an exercise of thought, it does not make a bit of difference, as I am sure you will readily agree.  However, when I have too much time on my hands and I think about reaching another milestone in terms of years, I feel a certain sense of sorrow, because, as a Myokonin said, “Shinitoonai.”  I do not want to die.  Namo Amida Butsu.

Gassho,
Donkon Jaan, Rev. John Doami

Top of Page