Oshitas Complete Their Service as California State Assembly Chaplains

From the October SANGHA Newsletter

On Monday morning, August 31, 2026, Rev. Patti Oshita, a chaplain for the California State Assembly, along with Rev. Bob Oshita, opened the final day of the Floor Session with these words:

Please join me in a moment of Reflection.

While shopping at Takashimaya, one of Japan’s largest department stores, I recall taking a wrong turn into a small empty lobby area. There was just one door across the room. Just as I was turning to leave, I noticed a young woman approaching that door with a purse and jacket in hand. Before opening the door, she turned around and bowed deeply to the empty room, then departed. It was the employee exit. And I was the sole witness to her respectful bow; she was expressing her gratitude to the store, just as if the company president were standing there. I was impressed.

I began to notice that throughout our trip, conductors on the trains were checking tickets, bowing as they entered and left each car. Even the ground crew around our plane bowed in unison as we pulled away from the gate when we departed. From my seat, I bowed in return. Bowing is literally gratitude expressed with one’s whole body.

The Roman philosopher Cicero said, "Gratitude is the parent of all other virtues.”

And there is a reason why every spiritual tradition emphasizes the nurturing of gratitude.

In our many years of being invited into people’s homes, when a loved one’s life was being measured in hours instead of years, we found that almost without exception, the one feeling expressed was gratitude so deep, there were no words. Even when unable to speak, we saw the depths of gratitude in their eyes; felt it in their hands holding ours; or with their palms pressed together.

On this final day, Bob and I know there is much deep gratitude within this chamber…and we hope you can feel ours too. We know that being here has been a rare and wonderful gift.

Let us continue to do our best to nurture ever-deepening gratitude–for we have found that, when all is said and done…deep, deep within us, what will remain will be the wish to say “Thank-you.”

Namo Amida Butsu – Let us try to live with Kindness and Gratitude beyond words.

_____

Their final day in the Assembly was more emotional than Rev. Bob or Rev. Patti expected. Rev. Bob wrote about the experience.

After opening the Session with this Reflection, the Speaker Pro Tempore Josh Lowenthal thanked us for the Reflections we have shared over the past two years. The applause became a standing ovation of appreciation. We could only put our hands together in gratitude for the kindness and support we have been given.

We’ve always enjoyed the process in the Assembly, of bills being presented and discussed. And this being the last day, we knew that the legislative agenda was full. As we prepared to slip away, Mr. Lowenthal gestured for us to wait. He placed the order of business for this final day on “hold,” and he took Patti’s arm and escorted her to the center aisle. He then turned to us and bowed deeply, bringing to life what Patti had just shared in her Reflection: that “bowing is, literally, gratitude expressed with one’s whole body.”

We bowed in return, feeling both surprised and overwhelmed by his gesture. He then escorted us down the center aisle. All activity had stopped as the Members, both Democrat and Republican, enveloped us, offering handshakes and hugs and personal comments; we stopped often for selfies, contact exchanges, and many warm wishes.

In return, we tried to thank each of them for their caring support and encouragement. When we reached the end of the aisle, we found tears had welled in our eyes. This was our goodbye to the Members, as well as to staff who have helped us throughout our years with the Assembly; many became our friends along the way.

We are still overwhelmed by the kindness and warmth that surrounded us as we left the Assembly Chamber. That moment remains a feeling of Namo Amida Butsu; to have received such warmth and kindness, we will always remain honored…and grateful beyond words.