Minister's Blog
The Importance of Hōonkō
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
November 2022
This month, we are observing Hōonkō which is the annual memorial service for the founder of our sect, Shinran Shonin. In the word, “Hōon” means “gratitude” or repaying a kindness” and “kō” means “a gathering” or “lecture meeting.”
The tradition began with Shinran’s daughter, Kakushinni, who took care of her father’s mausoleum and invited his followers to pay their respects.
Fall O-Higan: Finding a Balance in Life
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
September 2022
This month, we will be observing Fall O-Higan which happens during the fall equinox, when the day and night are the same amounts of time. This balance is a signal to us to reevaluate the balance in our lives and reflect on our recommitment to the Buddhist teachings. Higan is translated as “other shore,” meaning that we are on the ocean of life and death, coming from the shore of ignorance and heading toward the other shore of nirvana.
In Solidarity with Ukraine
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
August 2022
This month, the Sacramento Betsuin is putting on a fundraiser for humanitarian efforts to help the people of Ukraine. It will be on Saturday, August 13, at 2 p.m. called “Songs in Solidarity with Ukraine” and features performances of songs.
The event is free, but donations are welcome to go to the cause. The reason for this event is, of course, the ongoing conflict with Russia. The Buddhist Churches of America Ministers Association has put out a statement on the conflict as follows:
Are You Doing Enough?
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
July 2022
On Memorial Day we paid tribute to all the U.S. military personnel who have given the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States armed forces.
As Jodo Shinshu Buddhists, we recognize that we are the beneficiaries of infinite sacrifices and as Americans, the product of the lives given by our nation’s military. With this recognition, we pay forward our gratitude in part through our gatherings and our rituals, but more concretely and meaningfully through our actions and how we live our lives.
Shinran Shonin’s 20-Year Lesson
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
May 2022
This month will be Gotan-E, the day commemorating the birth of the founder of Jodo Shinshu, Shinran Shonin.
He was born Matsuwaka-maro on May 21, 1173, near Kyoto, Japan. He lost his parents at a young age and was put in the care of his uncle who, upon seeing his potential, brought him at age 9 to Shoren-in Temple to become a monk.
Ransetsu and the Plum Blossom
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
April 2022
It’s April and hopefully by the time you are reading this, we are in spring and well into the warm weather!
As I’m writing this, the weather outside is dreary but not quite cold, indicative of the strangely back-and-forth days we’ve been having where one day the high will be in the 50’s and freezing, and the next week the high is in the mid-70’s and shorts weather.
Teriyaki Chicken and Buddhism
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
August 2021
It is now August, which means that bazaar season is upon us.
Unfortunately, this year we are still in the pandemic and so it will not be like the bazaars that we’re used to, when everyone would come together to chat, work and eat with one another. However, we are still able to capture a little bit of spirit with one of the key pieces of bazaar: teriyaki chicken!
“A Lesson from Okei-san”
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
July 2021
In 2019, I had the opportunity to participate in the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Wakamatsu colony, the first settlement of Japanese people in America, about 45 miles from Sacramento. Although the knowledge of this historic site is increasing, many people (myself included) were not aware of the existence of this group of people until recently.
“Understanding How We Interact With the World”
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
June 2021
One of the interesting things that I learned in my high school physics class that I still remember today for some reason, is that in physics, there is no such thing as “cold.”
What we understand as “heat” is the kinetic energy being given off by any particular thing. Things that we think are “cold” have much less kinetic energy and therefore lack “heat.” An example of this would be if you put ice cubes in a warm drink, the “cold” in the ice doesn’t transfer, making the drink cold; rather the “heat” in the drink transfers to the ice cubes to warm them up.
“None of Us Are Safe Until All of Us Are Safe”
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
April 2021
I recognize that at a majority ethnically Japanese American church, I do not need to speak about why it is wrong to hate Asian Americans. However, I do feel that because of the recent media spotlight on violence against Asian Americans, it is vital for me to address it.
We Need to Wake Up and Do the Right Thing
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
November 2020
This article appeared in the November 2020 edition of Wheel of Dharma, published by Buddhist Churches of America.
See PDF.
Thoughts about Black Lives Matter
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
May 3, 2020
Today, I feel it’s necessary to speak on the movement of Black
Lives Matter and why it is important as Buddhists to stand with
and support them.
Heart of the Teaching (HOTT) Takes
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
Starting a new series which is geared towards a more in-depth understanding of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism through an analysis of the Passages on the Pure Land Way.
Click to view:
Listening to Show True Compassion
Reverend Matt Hamasaki, Resident Minister
I was fortunate enough to be invited to be the keynote speaker for the Northwest Convention put on by the Northwest District in the Buddhist Churches of America chaired by the White River Temple. It was at the Doubletree in Tukwila, which is right by the Seattle-Tacoma airport. I have many friends in the Pacific Northwest and was able to see them along with my convention duties.
A Wish That Transcends Worldly Wishes
Bishop Reverend Marvin Harada, Former Interim Rinban
In our services, we frequently chant the Juseige. You might have been a Buddhist your whole life and it’s never been explained what it is that we are chanting. I would like to introduce the first line of the Juseige, “GA GON CHO SE GAN,” which should sound quite familiar to most of you.