Message from Bishop Eric Matsumoto on Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake

Let us be guided by Wisdom and Inspired by Compassion and reach out to help!
Please allow me to express my thoughts of metta/loving kindness to all victims who are suffering from the effects of the Great Tohoku-Kanto Earthquake and resulting tsunami and radiation leakage from the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plants and express my condolences to those who have lost loved ones in this disaster. At this time of great suffering, loss of life and property and uncertainty, let us go to the Dharma to reflect and respond. As the Dharma emphasizes, we are all interrelated and interconnected that no one and nothing exists in complete isolation from another. Our relationship with one another is one of supporting others and being supported by others-interdependence. By our thoughts and actions, we do make a difference in one another’s lives. In the past, when Hawaii suffered from disasters the people of the world came to our aid. At this moment in time, it is primarily the people of Japan in the Tohoku-Kanto area of Eastern Japan that need our help. As Jodo Shin Buddhists guided by Buddha’s Wisdom and inspired by the Great Compassion of Amida Buddha that reaches out to all existence, may we reach out to help the people of Northeastern Japan. By collaboratively working together on March 11th, our Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Social Concerns Committee took immediate action which enabled me, as your new Bishop, to personally deliver to the Governor General Bishop Shoshin Tachibana an initial donation of $10,000 to our Main Temple, the Nishi Hongwanji, to help in the relief effort as I was scheduled to leave for Japan on March 12th for a Confirmation Ceremony. It might be hard to believe because of the sheer magnitude of destruction and loss in Eastern Japan, but I found Western Japan relatively calm with relief efforts starting immediately. One of the great obstacles being faced was not being able to reach and transport essentials to the victims due to the destruction of roadways and modes of transportation in Eastern Japan. The cold weather did not help. But difficult as it may be we are encouraged to try and help each other. Thus at this time, I would like to humbly ask the members and friends of the Honpa Hongwanji to please participate in our “2011 Japan Disaster Fund” collection. Details are listed elsewhere in the Update. But, also, in addition to monetary donations, I would like to request that all temples hold a religious service or ceremony, to which the public is invited, to reflect on the suffering of the people and to honor those who have lost their lives and express our sympathy to those families and friends who have lost someone dear to them in this disaster. May it be a means for providing guidance, support, coming together and assurance in this time of need and uncertainty. For those who are doing a pilgrimage to Japan this May to participate in the 750th Memorial and the 14th World Buddhist Women’s Convention, as Governor General Shoshin Tachibana mentioned “The slogan of this observance is the aspiration of Shinran Shonin, “May peace and tranquility prevail throughout the world.” In accordance with his wishes, let us observe the Memorial as we keep in mind the pain and suffering of all the victims.” Thank you.

Eric Matsumoto/Shaku Horaku
Bishop