Nurturing Nembutsu: Sharing Gratitude
Rev. Blayne Higa
The beginning of the year is a sacred time for reflection and renewal. We pause to consider all that we have experienced and seek to renew our spirit as we step into an unpredictable future filled with challenges and opportunities. The dynamic life of awakening that the Buddha shared is one of transformation and change, in which each of us is embraced and affirmed through the dynamic workings of wisdom and compassion.
Living with the Nembutsu gently guides our hearts toward gratitude, humility, and connection. Nurturing the Nembutsu becomes not only a journey of personal transformation but also a shared joy that goes beyond our individual lives. The Nembutsu is a living reminder of our interconnectedness and a celebration of the many blessings we receive. It is a heartfelt acknowledgement that our life is only possible through countless causes and conditions.
Gratitude is the foundation from which spiritual growth begins. When nurtured, gratitude changes our perceptions, allowing us to see the extraordinary in everything around us. In the practice of Nembutsu, gratitude isn’t just reserved for big gestures or rare moments — it is woven into every fleeting moment of our daily life.
To nurture Nembutsu is to cultivate a grateful awareness of life as it is. Sharing gratitude with others enhances its transformative power, building bonds of empathy and mutual understanding, breaking down barriers, and reminding us of our shared humanity. As Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani writes, “Rather than to simply live day in and day out as if we are just ‘going through the motions,’ in the teaching’s illuminating light we can find clarity and meaning in our lives. Not separating ourselves from society, it is important that we live within the priceless interconnections that we have with one another and support each other.”
Living the Nembutsu means training our heart and mind to return to gratitude repeatedly. Over time, we become more open, more compassionate, and less quick to judge others. Our burdens feel lighter, and our joy grows even greater, as our founder Shinran Shonin reflects in his sacred writings. Nurturing the Nembutsu is not about perfection but about perseverance. The willingness to start again and to remember gratitude, especially during challenging times, is an act of courage and trust in Amida Buddha’s compassionate Vow.
Nurturing Nembutsu is a continuous, dynamic journey of self-discovery and spiritual transformation, an invitation to cultivate gratitude deep within our hearts. The essence of Nembutsu is gratitude: for life, connection, and the Buddha’s boundless compassion that sustains and nurtures us. May we always remember to give thanks—for every breath, every lesson, and every act of kindness—and may our gratitude shine as a beacon of hope in a troubled world.
Wishing you happiness and moments of awakening in the coming year. May Amida’s light guide us as we share our lives as friends and fellow travelers on the Nembutsu Path together. Namo Amida Butsu.
