Giving Thanks

Minister’s Message

Giving Thanks

 Thanksgiving Day means different things to different people. For some, it means family gatherings, turkey dinner and the start of the holiday season. Some people look forward to bargain shopping around this time. For others, it’s just another day. I remember that when I was first posted to the Canadian Consulate General in New York City many years ago, I went out to watch the Macy’s Parade since I had nothing better to do on the day off. We Canadians had already celebrated our Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October. Presumably, this has something to do with the fall harvest taking place earlier in what used to be much colder climes north of the border. On reflection, even though the dates are separated by several weeks, the origins of the day of thanks are the same in both countries, for some parts of our history are shared. We, too, drew pictures of pilgrims in grade school.

Back in those days, we were fed a lot of British, French, and North American history. I had no problem assimilating this heritage as my own, just like all my multi-ethnic classmates. It seemed perfectly natural. I hear that some families in California serve Japanese dishes alongside the turkey and the usual traditional fixings, and why not? That’s also an expression of being American. Regardless of the heritage of the celebrants, or what’s on their dining table, it’s wonderful that a day to express gratitude exists.

Even if people don’t observe Thanksgiving in the traditional way, I hope that just seeing and hearing the word over and over again has some positive subliminal effect on people. I would venture that many people have moments when they wonder what they have to be thankful for. This is a one-sided view of the reality of our lives. While our minds are busy in the “poor me” mode, we have no time to notice how much of our dissatisfaction is caused by our own greed, aversion, and delusion even as we continuously receive. We really need to spend some time in mindful reflection to realize the myriad reasons for expressing thanks. You can come up with your own list—and don’t forget the intangibles, like warm memories or an unexpected kindness. But especially, don’t forget the seemingly negative things. Thanks to the person who annoys me, for she causes me to see my own impatience and ego-self. Thanks to my aches and pains, for they remind me how much my body has given me over the years, and how much I take it and so much else for granted. Thanks to everything I complain about because when I catch myself, I feel humbled and grateful for the unconditional compassion I receive from life in spite of myself. That compassion is boundless, though I’m usually too blinded by “me” and “I” to see it.

When you’re really honest with yourself, you come to realize that every day is a day for giving thanks. If you’re having a “bad” day, it must mean that you’ve had other not-bad days. And if you’ve had “good” times, know that you didn’t create them on your own, that it took your interrelationship with infinite others to bring you the moments of light. But it’s really the recognition of our own dark moments that make us see the wisdom light that signifies the Oneness of which we are a part.

I don’t know if other countries have a special day for giving thanks. Regardless, I have no doubt that there are people all over the world who have moments of insight in which they recognize that they are but ignorant, imperfect beings, and at the same time know that they are the objects of infinite wisdom and compassion that far transcends self, though they may not think of it in those terms. No matter where in the world people may be, that voiceless voice of infinite, interdependent life calls. What is their expression of gratitude? How do they feel it arise within? For some, it comes as Namo Amida Butsu. “When I call Amida’s Name, it’s Amida calling me.” My voice is not only my voice. My life is not only my life. Thanks to the Oneness of all life.

 Gassho,

Rev. P. Usuki