First off let me wish you all an early happy New Year! I hope this year is a year full of abundance of resources for the surprises and unknowns that may occur in the days ahead. I always like to pray for resources for folks as this allows for the space for just the right solution to occur. A simple prayer for good health while certainly a good prayer may not be the best prayer. Perhaps there is something that needs to be discovered or tended to before health becomes an issue. The same could be said about prayers for money. Certainly most of us could use some more money, and in all situations money may not be the best possible solution to a particular problem .
Anyway it is my hope that whatever resources you may need to face whatever unexpected challenges which may occur that in each situation the right things happen which will enable you to get through the problem in the least amount of time with the least amount of stress and the least amount of suffering.
The resources include sufficient money, good health, stable living situation, and friends and support as well as many other possible needs.
New Years has always, or at least for as long as I can remember, been a significant point in time in my life. When that became a spiritual event I can trace back to 1969 when I traveled to Santa Monica from North Carolina when I was in the Marine Corps and had just converted to Buddhism by joining Nichiren Shoshu/Soka Gakkai.
Every year a special New Year service was held at the temple there in Santa Monica and for two years I was able to fly there and be a part of the ceremonies. Later when I moved to Hawaii we would hold services at the Hawaii temple and also at the community center.
Now, many years later and practicing in a different Nichiren denomination, and as a priest in Nichiren Shu I feel it is important to share my experience as well as teach about the practice of observing the New Year. And in Buddhism we get to do it twice each year. However I still have a particular fondness for the calendar January 1st observance.
I promise I will post a blog and record a video in which I will talk more about the spiritual observance of this important day. For now I would like to inform you of the schedule this year.
Due to health issues I will not be able to do as much as I have in the past or all that I would like to instruct you in. However I intend to do the best I can, even if it is limited.
New Year’s Services (all times are Eastern Standard Time)
(These will all be streamed live on Zoom meeting room #7772921161
https://zoom.us/j/7772921161)
New Year’s Eve Gongyo 12/31/2019 – 19:00-20:30 – this will replace Hokke Senbo which I don’t have the strength to do this year
New Year’s Eve Service and Bell Ringing 12/31/2019 – 23:00-00:30 – Short service and bell ringing
New Year’s Day Service – Jan 1, 2020 – 10:00 AM
Just to be on the safe side I hope you will please verify the status of these events by checking the temple calendar https://www.myoshoji.org/calendar This way if something unexpected happens with my health I will be able to inform you of any changes.
I realize that it may not be possible to join in on all or even some of these. Please know that if you are able I would gladly greet you and welcome the auspicious opportunity to celebrate this special time together.
With Gassho,
Ryusho
Kansho Shonin
