A Note To Fellow Travelers On The Nembutsu Path

A Note to Fellow Travelers on the Nembutsu Path
K. Ken Fujimoto

Shim-an often referred to Nembutsu followers as ondobo-ondogw, fellow traveler-fellow practitioner. He used the honorific on these terms to show respect. This implied that he respected al1 Nembutsu followers as, at least, peers and equals on the path if not better than he considered himself to be. He saw everyone as being equally embraced in the light of the great compassion.

During his time, there were no ministers and lay, per se. Everyone was equal though there may have been some more learned in the teachings or who, were monks in other traditions before following the Nembutsu, who either took the form of monks or continued to wear their robes. There were some who were considered by others as teachers and leaders, but this was a dynamic that developed out of the groups and not through any hierarchy. The current system developed much later.

The concept was that the teachings and spiritual liberation came from Amida Buddha and in light of this dynamic, everyone was equal and there was no distinction between followers of the teaching in terms of knowledge or training. This meant that everyone contributed to the functioning of the group and in helping each other along the path. This is closely tied into the principle of interdependence', a good minister or group leader became a good minister because of good 1ay followers, meaning that their questions and support made it so the minister or leader could respond to them in a meaningful manner. The followers gained from this dynamic as well, in that their appreciation and understanding of the teaching deepened as well.

In this day and age of specialization, there has been a shift due to the availability and accessibility of the resources to broadly communicate the teachings. We now have a few ûçspecialists,'' who we refer to as ministers to do much of the preparation to communicate the teachings to the rest of us. However, the basic principle of everyone being a fellow traveler and needing to work for the betterment of the whole has not changed. This does not simply mean that people need to help at the Obon bazaar and other timthuisers; they are to help when and where they can, but even more importantly, they are to contribute to the observance of rituals, setting up for services and discuss the Buddha-dharma with each other and with any one else who may be interested.

This ideal has always been my goal. It may be impossible to realize this ideal in the current setting, but it is still a goal. As such, the concept of creating, yet, another class of people to assist in the tasks of the ministry has befuddled me. This seems to take the initiative to help in the functions of the organization away from people in general because there is already a group of designated helpers. Everyone should help and be trained in the areas where they feel comfortable and it is so easy to point the finger and say that, çilt is their job.''

Because of this, I have not been an advocate for the Minister's Assistants program. However, the situation has changed where, unless a person serves as a Minister's Assistant, they will not be considered as a candidate for the BCA ministry. This means that we cannot actively encourage a person to pursue the BCA ministry without implementing a program. Therefore, we will be starting a program here.

We will be starting a program, but it will not be strictly for those who are interested in becoming an assistant. A compromise situation will be implemented where the requirements for the program will be met, but I do not have to completely put aside my goal. The curriculum will be open to anyone who may be interested in ally given area so that those who are interested in taking care of the altar and altar pieces and setting up for services clan take part. Others who may be interested in chanting and rituals, studying the teachings and/or history more can do sc-. Those who want to assist by going out and speaking will be trained and utilized as well. There will be other areas to be developed as well and information will be announced soon. Those whp so desire can become a eel-tided Minister's Assistant, but those who may want to help only in the areas where they feel comfortable are encouraged to do so as well.

Hopefully, this will benefit our temple and create a larger pool of people willing and able to help in the many facets and activities of our temple and give them a greater appreciation for our teachings in the process.

(C) August 24, 2009