Japan Earquake and Tsunami – Apr 2011 Sermon

Once again a major natural disaster strikes near home and many of us are left wondering if there is a meaning to all this. And it gives us an opportunity to reflect on the world, our country and our individual situations. Many loved ones were lost for the survivors and it’s sad and devastating for them. Our hearts and prayers go out to them. At the same time it reminds us to be grateful for those close to us and not to take them for granted.

In the Ofudesaki scripture we read:

In this world, landslides, thunder, earthquakes,
And great winds are all from the anger of Tsukihi. VI: 91

Further:

What are you thinking on hearing this talk?
Flames of heaven, rains of fire, and tidal waves in the seas… VI: 116

Such is the great anxiety in the mind of Tsukihi.
What is the whole world thinking? VI: 117

Though I appeal to you in sorrow over and over,
I shall save you if you become of a sincere mind. VI: 118

Whoever you are, you are all My children.
Awaken to the anxiety in the mind of Tsukihi! VI: 119

Everything in this universe is all by Tsukihi.
All human bodies are things lent by Tsukihi. VI: 120

If only My mind is truly understood,
there will be nothing fearful or dangerous. VI: 122

From this we can understand that the earthquake and tsunami is due to God’s deep regret and anger. Some might say, “Ah, but anger is a mental dust, how can God have anger?” God’s anger is not the same anger as that which is mentioned in the eight mental dusts. The anger mentioned in the eight mental dusts comes from selfish thinking. The anger from God comes from deep parental love. It is that love which urgently wishes to see us on the path to the joyous life.

I believe that the earthquake and tsunami is a warning. A warning from God to reflect deeply on the way we lead our lives. We are too hurried and too busy with our own agendas. We are rushing here, rushing there. There are lots of cracks and undulating things in our lives, that is, we have problems in our relationships with other people. A disaster like this is a word from God to think about those cracks and smooth them out. We are filling our lives with so much that there is little place for God. In moments of grave crisis, we remember God and we should also think how to put God back in the primary position in our lives.

The last Ofudesaki says “If only My mind is truly understood, there will be nothing fearful dangerous.” To truly know the mind of God means that we must practice the teachings. Then we will truly know and understand the mind of God and be free of fear and danger.

Thank you for your attention.

Announcements

1. Thank you for bringing your deposit cans and bottles for our fundraising drive. We are still continuing our fundraising efforts for some debt on the repainting supplies and also the help with the Hawaii Convention that’s coming up on May of this year. Please continue bringing your deposit cans and bottles and any yard work referrals. If you haven’t registered yet please do so. If you have financial difficulty in meeting the registration fee, please see me as we may be able to help you up to 50%.
2. The annual Tenri Cultural Center cleanup was scheduled on President’s day February 21 from 9am. About a hundred people attended including 10 from Pearl Church. Thank you very much!
   Also in support of the Hawaii Convention we conducted a garage sale on Sunday, March 6th. From 8am to 12noon. It was our most successful garage sale, not only in terms of net proceeds but also with many of our members and friends pitching in with donated items and hinokishin help! Fifty percent Thank you very much!
3. The annual BGA Spring Camp and General Meeting will be held on March 25 -27, (Fri, Sat & Sun) at Tenri Cultural Center. The General Meeting will be on the camp second day March 26, Saturday, 10:30 at MHQ.
4. We would like to bid our farewell to Yuki and Chisato Yamazaki who will be returning to Japan tomorrow. Her parents Rev. & Mrs. Masayuki Yamazaki are also here to help her in her move.
5. Lewis is here temporarily to help with the Hawaii Convention and will return to Japan in early June. Please welcome new faces: Marion Okata and Janel.