BERKELEY BUDDHIST TEMPLE September 2013 Web Edition

Missing the Kansho & Cicadas in Kyoto
Mali McGuire
The sound was unlike any other. The ringing quickened and as it did, sound waves swept the
room, causing my spine to straighten and my focus to intensify. It was beautiful to hear the
Kansho every morning, it's echo surrounded by the still summer air of Kyoto and interrupted by
the occasional cicada chirp. It was mornings like these that I spent in Japan as a part of the
Young Buddhist International Cultural Study Exchange. Waking up on warm, summer mornings
to attend 6 a.m. Hongwanji services was the highlight of my trip.
As I sat seiza, I was surrounded by my new friends from Brazil, Canada and Hawaii. We sat
chanting Sanbutsuge in the Amida-Do. I couldn't believe it was our last morning here. Only nine
days ago, we had arrived and toured the amazing Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha grounds. Touring
the Amida-Do and the Goei-Do, going up on the Goei-Do Onaijin, seeing the ancient Noh stages
and changing chambers and gardens was surreal. The antique old woodcarvings and shoji screen
paintings preserved to their original time periods were breathtaking. The next day we explored
historical sites significant to Shinran Shonin’s life: his birthplace at Hino, where he studied on
Mount Hiei, where he passed at Suminobo and his final resting place at the Otani Mausoleum.
From place to place I was bewildered by the beautiful, ornate temples. The views from Mount
Hiei were spectacular, overlooking Kyoto and the bay.
As my legs ached from sitting on the tatami, and we continued to chant Sanbutsuge, I
thought back to one of the hottest days we had while in Japan, in Hiroshima. Watching the
Japanese countryside rush past my window on the Shinkansen (bullet train), we couldn't wait to
meet the Japanese Jr. YBA chapter awaiting us at the Hiroshima Betsuin. As we drove through
downtown, it saddened me to see how new the buildings were, and thinking that they were not
new because of a new development, but out of recovery and rebuilding. Seeing the prefectural
dome that still stands on the river will forever stay in my mind, always reminding me of the
strength of Japan. To end our day on a happier note, we had the opportunity to have a barbecue
with the Hiroshima chapter. Despite the language barrier, it was fun to discuss with them pop
icon, Katy Perry, and favorite movies.
Sanbutsuge came to a close, and we were escorted to the Goei-Do to chant Shoshinge and
Wasan. As we crossed the bridge and settled on the cool tatami, I reminisced on my times I
stayed with the Sasakis at the Seishouji Temple in Osaka. From the traditional Japanese
breakfasts, feeding deer at Nara and taking a local ceramics class I realized the true meaning of
hospitality. Both Sasaki-San and Hidemi-San (my host family members) were so welcoming,
generous and thoughtful, planning so many exciting outings and making sure we felt
comfortable. I could not thank them enough for their thoughtfulness and Dana for all they had
given us and provided us the opportunity to embrace the Japanese culture first hand. As it came
to the last day with the Sasakis, I realized that my stay in Japan was also coming to a close.
The echo of the Wasan filled the hondo with warmth as the sunlight grazed the jagged
rooftops. I thought to myself, this was a trip of a lifetime: full of amazing sights, incredible
experiences and such welcoming people. As the chanting came to a close, I put my hands
together and began to recite the Nembutsu and I realized how grateful I was to the Hongwanji,
the BCA and my temple, all the new friends I had made and all the memories I would cherish
from the YBICSE trip.
You can experience Mali's trip through her photo album at:
https://www.icloud.com/journal/#7;CAEQARoQWzah50z0y2Rjit5Gr2P6cA;AA952BE0-450A-4ABA-AD4B-
D01627F953AE