100 Years old soon

It was a year after the end of the war in Japan, and my mother was sick in bed all day long. Her doctor already gave up on her recovery.

At that time, my relatives, who came back from Fouyan, China, were also living together with us temporarily until they settled in Japan. Among them, there was a Nichiren Buddhist nun who had chanted the Odaimoku everyday. My mother also chanted together with her when she felt well enough to do so.

After the nun left our house, my mother still continued to chant the Odaimoku for over 60 years. My sick mother will be 100 years old soon.

She told me that real faith is not just going to the temple. She taught me that I must help at the temple willingly.

She also said, "You wash you face every morning, don't you? You must clean up the butsudan every day. She carries a omamori charm and lives in good health in Japan.

by M.T.

Lotus #12

September, 1996