Every January, we celebrate the New Year and give each other hope for a great year. This year we have a lot of hope along with a lot of anxiety towards the continued uncertainty of COVID-19, socioeconomic hardship, climate change, hugely divisive politics, and more. Somehow, we continue to endure and move forward despite all of this.  Good things do happen, as well. Babies are born, people find love, and people show kindness every day.  Life goes on. I have appreciated the Buddhist teaching of impermanence and gratitude more than ever in these challenging times.

I think I’m pretty good at not getting fixated on the negative things that happen, and I’m working on not getting too stressed about something in the future that I have no control over.  I will do my best to focus on my life today with acceptance and gratitude. There are many things to be grateful for in a life that provides both sad and happy times. 

In an interview last year with CNN, Oprah Winfrey shared that every morning when she wakes up, the first thing she says is, “Thank you,” expressing her gratitude to be alive and present.   

My favorite part of NBC Nightly News is when they end with a feel-good story, and Lester Holt signs off with, “Please take care of yourself and each other.” On a tough news day, it’s inspiring to hear stories of kindness.

I just finished reading the book Everyday Suchness by Rev. Gyomay Kubose in preparation for an online seminar by the Buddhist Churches of America’s Center for Buddhist Education on his life and work. Rev. Kubose was a crucial pioneer in introducing Buddhism to the US and led a remarkable life. I highly recommend the book and the lecture posted on the BCA YouTube channel. Everyday Suchness was published in 1967 as a beautiful collection of his essays written over the years. One particular essay, “Thoughts for New Year,” challenges us to “let it go” or approach the New Year with “non-attachment,” thus freeing us from clinging and possessiveness. If one clings to the opposition, it becomes anger.  If one clings to well-being, it becomes greed. We cling to the past and the future and neglect the present. The past cannot be undone, and the future has not been determined. Life and the world around us are continually changing, so we have to live a fresh new life each day and stay in the present. 

Rev. Kubose encourages us to approach the New Year with a warm heart. While justice, rationality, money, or health are all important, perhaps we can start by fostering the warmth within ourselves. From this, compassion, life, and connection can grow. According to Rev. Kubose, Gautama Buddha attracted his many disciples due to his compassion and warmth rather than reason or rationality. 

Rev. Kubose wrote two poems for the New Year:

#1

Holding a warm heart,

Together with people,

I will move forward;

Oh, this good year.

#2

More than money, more than reason,

More than anything else,

How I long for a warm heart of man.

Rev. Kubose’s teachings were written six decades ago, and yet remain relevant to our lives today as we face another challenging year with hope and warmth.

I wish for you to live a full and best life in 2022, and please take care of yourself and each other.

Namu Amida Butsu,
Janet Arima