My Religious Experience:

The Statue of Sakyamuni Buddha

On Sunday the 2nd of February 1997 during the early morning service, I had an experience that is still changing my life.

Prior to the Hoshi Matsuri Service, it was during the portion (after Hoben Pon, Juryo Hon, and Jinriki Hon) where Rev. Kanai was praying for all members and friends. I was strongly drawn to the image of the Eternal Buddha Sakyamuni. This is a unique experience for me because I always have focused on the character, "Myo," in Odaimoku on the Gohonzon - statues do not represent for me the mysteries of the Universe like the mandala does. But this time the desire to look at Sakyamuni was intense.

I was thinking to myself that it was peculiar that the Buddha statue's eyes were open with such a brilliant Blue-indigo color as there primary luminescence. I was commenting to myself on how unobservant I had been towards the altar, as I had been coming to this temple for a year and never noticed it before. I was then REALLY surprised when the eyes blinked!

I could feel the excitement well within me, and it took a lot of will power to still my composure and to keep silent. I then calmed down a little and was thinking that it was just a trick of the light and shadow, but then the eyes looked directly at me and then to Rev. Kanai, then closed. This process repeated itself a few times (maybe 5). By this time I was almost in tears of joy.

I didn't quite know what to think of this experience and didn't really want to tell anyone except Rev. Kanai, he requested that I share it with you.

I will cherish this experience for the rest of my life!

by J.V.

Lotus #23

March, 1998