Time to reflect:

As we close the year 2008, my ministry with the Buddhist Churches of Oakland comes to a close.  I will retire as a Buddhist Churches of America minister after 44 years of life in the ministry.

May I express my sincere appreciation and gratitude all of you for the support of our website. It has been a pleasure for me to express my thoughts through this media.  Thank you very much for your support and understanding.

From January 15, 2009, Rev. Harry Bridge will become the Head Minister of the Buddhist Church of Oakland.  He will bring with him new ideas and profound ways of expressing the meaning of the Dharma to you.

The month of December we commemorate the Enlightenment experience of the historical Buddha. He opened wide the Dharma-store of inter-dependency within the flow of change.

In life, one of the most beautiful things about it is that it is always changing. Change is a natural process which helps us to experience life in so many different ways. Change helps us to grow and give to life. Change is the key which gives us the sense of potential of what can be. We should embrace change and not fear it. This is the right view of life which brings us to the deeper meaning of interrelationship and a sense of responsibility for life.

Thank you and may you all have a life of great meaning.

Reflection:  The beauty of life is that we can change and that change is always occurring. To live in the flow of life is at time a difficult challenge, but as you do so the image of beauty and harmony is deeply felt.

Gassho,

Seigen Yamaoka