The Late ...(name withheld)...had been saying to come to this temple while he was healthy. But he had not had a chance to do so since I was installed as the head minister of the temple last September. Tonight, he finally had a chance to come for his own funeral.
You may probably attend many funerals in a year. But you may think, "My turn has not come for many years." I also believe that my turn may not come for a few decades and wish that my turn may not come forever.
St. Nichiren, the founder of the Nichiren Buddhism said, "One's life is uncertain. Even if you exhale, you are not sure that you can inhale next. The wise and the fool, the young and the old, are under the law of the transient life. Therefore, one should always know death comes to everyone and should accept it solemnly and spend the valuable life meaningfully."
He said that you must have a valuable life meaningfully. One of the meaningful life for you is to go to your church or to come to this temple. Buddhists seek for Enlightenment which means not to have attachment. We see many funeral notices in the paper everyday. We are not sad to see the notice if they are not related to us. But we suffer from grief of death of close relatives and friends.
The immediate family and close friends gathered here tonight are in grief. To be in the sate of grief for a long time will not lead you to enlightenment, but when you are sad, it is better for you to be sad. But while you are in grief, try to see yourself and to know yourself that one's life is uncertain. To realize that life is uncertain is to attain Enlightenment.
I believe that George knew that he would die and knew that he had to prepare for the matter after his own death. He was a little late, but it is all right. George, do not worry. Your wife, Chieko will take care of that. She had promised me yesterday.

Namu Myoho Renge Kyo - Namu Myoho Renge Kyo

Namu Myoho Renge Kyo

With Gassho,

Kanai Shonin