Hello, world! Hello, SFVHBT!
Hello, world! Hello, SFVHBT!
If you are a computer programmer or have touched upon programming languages, you might recall this sentence “hello, world!” with fond memory as it is generally the first program to be written by those who just started learning programming. Or, you might recall an image like I do in which it is the first words that a dark computer screen displayed at the dawn of the computer age, somewhat humbly as if to check to see if anybody was around, at the same time with the joy of having had the chance to be connected with the world.
I feel exactly like the programmer writing that right now. I am writing “Hello, SFVHBT!” with my sincere appreciation to the temple and the members for having me as a new member of this Sangha. I feel very humbled to have received this rare condition (“go-en”), to share our gratitude for the Buddha’s teachings together with all of you. Just like the programmer who sent out the “hello,” I am writing with the hope of connecting from this side to the other side and finding wonderful friends out there!
Although very different from my situation, it dawned on me that Shakyamuni Buddha must have had his own “Hello, world!” moment. After he attained enlightenment, he did not start teaching the Dharma right away. He was not sure if people would fathom the profound Dharma that he had found. For a very short time, he was all by himself in enlightenment. But with urging from the Brahma, he decided to teach, first to his five former colleagues who then became his disciples, forming the first Sangha.
Shakyamuni Buddha’s “Hello, world!” thus had a tremendous significance to the world. Those who understood the significance cherished it joyfully. That was the beginning of the Buddha opening up his teachings, meaning that the possibility of people becoming awakened just opened up. And by opening his storehouse of Dharma with others, he had a Sangha—a group of people who by his guidance would become Buddhas like him, and who would pass on the Dharma to others.
No wonder that Shakyamuni Buddha in his life often called people around him, “my friend, my friend.” He was such a precious teacher to many, but he himself stood on the same level as everyone, never acting like a superior or preaching. It is said before his passing, the Buddha asked his disciples if they had any last questions to him and when nobody said anything, he said, “Don’t think you’re asking your teacher. Ask as if you’re talking to your friend.” He truly knew, everyone had the potential of becoming enlightened and to have the same precious virtues of Buddhas. It is said that in his enlightenment he saw with his opened Dharma eyes that everywhere was his home, everyone and every sentient being was his parent, sister/brother, or his child. It was a true realization of not being alone or separate.
Of course we cannot see our world the same way. But by listening to the teachings the Buddha shared, we might be able to get a glimpse of what he might have seen. Or, we might be able to truly respect others as precious Dharma-friends despite our differences and similarities. We may together share our gratitude of having received the wonderful call from Shakyamuni Buddha, saying “Hello, world! Open up your eyes!,” displayed both on my screen and your screen. Thus, Buddhism opens us up to find each other, and find a world broader than our own small world. I guess there would be no more “stand alones” after the dawn of the Buddhism if we truly heard the “hello.”
Thank you all for being the wonderful Sangha, taking on the living legacy from Shakyamuni Buddha’s time. I am looking forward to meeting and learning more about you and your journey! This is such a strange time that we are physically separated, but please feel free to contact and chat with me. Let us all put our palms together and say, Namo Amida Butsu.
In Gassho,
Rev. Sala Sekiya