OOO NN EE NN EE SS SS Quarterly Newsletter of the Rev. Gyomay M. Kubose Dharma Legacy Vol. 2 No. 4 Winter 1998 IS YOUR SWITCH ON? By Ven. Gyomay M. Kubose When the switch is on, current Therefore, every work is an ac- When we start to see light, the flows; it lights up a room or turns complishment, a fulfillment, and whole world becomes bright and a motor. No matter how good the it is a joy. However, on the con- the light shines upon us. Each motor may be and how large a trary, if one works without a pur- day is not mere passing of an- lamp may be, unless the switch pose or willingness, his work is other day, but is significant and is on, the devices are useless. not work. It is lifeless and it meaningful, a most worthy and They are lifeless. amounts to just moving about. reverent day. It is a day of accom- plishment and thankfulness. Air is filled with sound waves A wire with current is called a of good lectures, music and pic- live wire. Many so-called poems tures, but unless you have a re- are mere words which are beau- ceiving set, you do not receive tifully arranged, but some true Coming Events them. Even though you have a poems have life in them. They are perfect radio and television set, living and touch the hearts of Annual New Year’s Eve party on December 31. Everyone is unless you turn on the switch people. This is true in calligraphy, invited. See announcement on nothing happens. There is no paintings, and also in meetings page 3. music and no picture. Turning on and gatherings. Some meetings the switch is very important. So are said to be dead because Ti Sarana (Three Treasures) in life, to turn on the switch in nothing interesting is being dis- Confirmation Ceremony is one’s own life is essential for a cussed and there is no vital con- open to all persons who wish to confirm their religious identity as worthwhile and truly joyous life. cern about life. Buddhists and to receive a Bud- We want to live and not merely When one falls in love, life dhist name. exist. To live means a meaning- takes on a new meaning. His You can request a brochure that ful, worthwhile and joyous life and whole life becomes alive; in fact, gives further information from the Book Information / Order not just physically existing. We the whole world becomes alive. Form in this issue. eat, sleep and work, but unless It is the same when one discov- we turn the switch on in our lives, ers himself; that is to say, when River of Fire / River of Water, we will merely be existing and just he finds what he really wants to a new book by Taitetsu Unno. A moving about. Work and moving do or discovers something for book review and discussion about are two different things. which he wants to dedicate his class are planned for Spring, 1999. Details to come in next When one works, he has a pur- life. Then his life has some mean- issue. pose or meaning in what he is ing and becomes very much doing; so he puts his life into it. alive. Universal Teachings For Everyday Living Page 1 by Rev. Koyo S. Kubose When I was studying in Japan while on trips during July to the However, it should be empha- during the 1970’s I learned a Steveston Buddhist Temple in sized that “kuruma kotoba” or phrase, “kuruma kotoba.” The British Columbia, Canada; and “turning words” arise only out of word “kotoba” means words; to the Florin, Fowler, Palo Alto, direct personal experience; their “kuruma” currently means auto- and Sacramento Buddhist full impact is reserved for the ex- mobile but its original meaning Temples in California. Over the periencing individual. Better than had to do with wheel, roundness, Labor Day week-end I was at the vicariously enjoying someone or the quality of “turning.” In a Eastern Buddhist League Con- else’s turning words, you should spiritual context, “kuruma kotoba” vention in Washington, D.C. In turn on your own awareness refers to “turning words;” i.e. a September I also joined in cel- switch. You should ask yourself phrase that could turn one’s life ebrating New York Buddhist every day, “Is my switch on?” If you around. The phrase summarized Temple’s 60th Anniversary in do this, every day is a spiritual re- or triggered a powerful spiritual New York City. During October I treat and any given moment can experience. attended a Buddhist-Catholic present a glimpse of the Dharma The past few months I made Dialogue Retreat at Serra Cen- teachings. Such Dharma glimpses several out-of-town trips to give ter in Malibu, California; and will become longer glances, which Dharma talks and/or represent gave a Oneness Seminar at the in turn can lead to turn-your-head the Legacy. On such trips I always Tacoma Buddhist Temple in stares at unexpected insights. Tacoma, Washington. I attended consider myself as going on my You should label or describe Ekoji Buddhist Temple’s Dedica- own spiritual retreat. I prime my- your “Dharma Glimpse” with a tion Service in Fairfax Station, self to be open for new experi- short phrase that summarizes your Virginia in early November. ences. Through a kind of height- experience. This phrase will help ened mental readiness or expect- What a lot of traveling around! crystallize your insight and make ancy, I usually receive some kind Yet, it is always a joy to share it easier to integrate that experi- of teaching, and it’s often from an the Dharma teachings with oth- ence with later ones. The phrase unexpected source. I call this ers— and I always feel I receive can be like a code or handle that readiness as a turning on of an more than whatever I might be makes it easy to access or get hold inner “switch.” A person can “find” able to give. On each of these of what you experienced, For ex- his or her switch by practicing self- trips I received/discovered “turn- ample, “Dead Squirrel” could be introspection and awareness in ing words,” which name and de- the code phrase for the “Dharma one’s present surroundings. The scribe teachings that I experi- Glimpse” written by Adrienne more the switch is “turned on,” the enced. The experiences caught Kubose in this issue (see p. 5). longer it stays on by itself— and my attention and “turned my So, turn your switch on, and with continued usage, it develops head.” I hope to write about share your Dharma Glimpses and greater power or sensitivity. these experiences in future is- Turning Words with us. I practiced turning on my switch sues of this Oneness newsletter. Editor of this issue Oneness Newsletter Winter 1998 8334 Harding Avenue Kanon Kubose Skokie, Illinois 60076 Editor-In-Chief Please send: Phone (847) 677-8211 Rev. Koyo S. Kubose Dharma Glimpses Poems Reader Replies Fax (847) 677-8053 Managing Editor Spring issue deadline: January 31 [email protected] Adrienne Kubose www.brightdawn.org Universal Teachings For Everyday Living Page 2 ReaderReader ReRepliesplies Dear Sensei: An open invitation is extended to Oneness Want to hear a joke? newsletter readers to join in our annual New What do Japanese cannibals eat? (answer: ramen) Year’s Eve gathering on December 31. One What kind of pants do Japanese wear? (answer: nihonjin’s) highlight is a hot sake toast at midnight led by J.K. (OR) (10 years old) the Ven. Gyomay Kubose. Another highlight is everyone takes turns striking a bell for a total of 108 times. This New Year’s Eve activ- Dear Sensei: ity is a traditional Japanese Buddhist ritual that Glorious Irony symbolizes getting rid of the 108 “bonno” or Fertilize ... then cut its growth human “poisons” such as anger, greed, igno- Vitamize ... then exercise to slenderize rance, envy, hatred, arrogance, etc. Educate ... then yield to forgetfulness Festivities begin from 8:30 p.m. at Rev. Koyo Travel ... then discover your home and Adrienne Kubose’s home: 8334 Harding, Accumulate ... then leave empty handed Skokie, Illinois. Harding Ave. is one block east G.D.I. (IL) of Crawford, and 8334 is 1/2 Block south of Main St. In addition to street parking, there’s a parking lot on the NW corner of Harding & Dear Kubose Gyomay Sensei: Main. I just finished reading your book, “The Center Please RSVP by December 28, 1998. Call Within” and was deeply moved. I resonated with (847) 677-8211 and let us know what kind of your words like grass in the wind. I would like to pot-luck dish you’ll be bringing. read more. (After ordering more books, the writer concludes:) Once again, I am grateful for your birth ATTENTION: If you wish to attend, we ask and long life. that you bring the following two written “admis- sion tickets:” J.S.G. (PA) (1) A written “Dharma Glimpse” that de- scribes one of your learning experiences dur- ing 1998 (see the “Dharma Glimpse” article on p. 5 as an example). Write about a teach- ing you received in 1998. Everyone’s Dharma SeasoningsSeasonings glimpses will be collected and made available sayings to add a little flavor to life for others to read during the evening. Use a code name if you wish to remain anonymous. Worry pulls tomorrow’s cloud (2) On a separate sheet of paper from your over today’s sunshine.