By Emi Hirabayashi
Hi Everyone!
Ever since I knew that I had to give a Senior Speech, I have thought about what I would say when it was finally my turn. Growing up, I sat through A LOT of graduation services and listened to so many seniors share their stories, and every year, I would wonder what I would talk about when I eventually stood up here. At the time, it felt so far away that I never really imagined it would be my turn. But evidently… It is now!
When I actually sat down to write this speech, I realized I had absolutely no idea where to begin. The more I thought about it, the more impossible it seemed. I have made so many great memories here and learned so many valuable life lessons; how could I fit it all into just one speech? I also think another reason it was so difficult to write this speech is that it forced me to realize something I had been avoiding for a really long time, which is that I am actually graduating High School.
For most of this year, graduation has felt like something that existed in the future, and it has just been a date on my calendar, or something people kept reminding me about. But sitting down to write this speech actually made it feel real. It made me stop and look back at everything that has happened over the past eighteen years of my life and think about all the people and experiences that led to me being the person I am today.
As exciting as it is to think about the future, writing this speech reminded me how grateful I am for everything that came before it. It reminded me that who I am today is not something I did all on my own, but it is a result of the people who supported me and the community that helped me grow. When thinking about the Temple and people who have impacted me the most, memories of my jichan were the first thing to come to mind.
My Jiichan
When I was younger, the person I admired most was my Jiichan, Richard Endo. Whenever he took my brother Ko and me to Temple, it seemed like everyone knew him. Whether it was him bringing me and Ko to the Temple office after school where we would take too much candy from the candy jar, walking around Obon with him, or simply heading to the car after Sangha Day Picnic, people would stop to talk with him. Someone always had a smile for him, and he always smiled back and took time to stop and talk with them.
At the time, I thought that was just because my Jiichan was a super friendly person. But after he passed away, I began to understand that it was something much deeper. At his funeral, I listened as person after person shared stories about the ways he had helped them, supported them, and impacted their lives. As I sat there surrounded by so many members of the Sangha, I realized that the respect and love people had for my Jiichan came not only from who he was, but from the way he dedicated himself to this community.
That experience taught me something that has stayed with me ever since, which is the importance and impact of giving back to the community that supports you.
YBA, the Temple and Buddhism
As I got older, my connection to Buddhism became more than just admiration for my Jichan. Through my involvement in YBA here, Buddhism became something much more personal. Temple started as a place where I could spend time with my family and hang out with my friends, but through services, Temple events, volunteer opportunities, and the countless conversations I’ve had with members of this Sangha. I developed a strong appreciation for this community that has encouraged, supported, and helped me grow.
Eightfold Paths & My Memories
I still don’t think I have a perfect way of summarizing everything the Temple has done for me, and it is hard to put into one big lesson, because it didn’t happen all at once. Sensei, your job is really hard. There are a lot of different moments, and a lot of different people and times in my life that I will always be grateful for, so instead of trying to sum it up all at once, I’m going to use the Eightfold Path to try and highlight some of my many impactful memories from YBA.
- Right View
Reminds me of Jillan planning Spaghetti Dinner last year and how she made it seem so effortless because of her organized and calm demeanor, but when it was my turn to plan Spaghetti Dinner, I realized that there was a lot of hard work and planning that went into running a successful evening.
- Right Thought
Makes me think of when Auntie Julie was reassuring me that everything was going to be OK when I found out that we had accidentally burned an entire wok of spaghetti sauce.
- Right Speech
Reminds me of the importance of communication when leading both Mountain View and Coast District meetings, and how helpful Kylie, Cassidy, and Kimi were when encouraging others to volunteer during meetings.
- Right Conduct
Reminds me of Brad and Connor, who were willing to drive me to literally every Temple event ever before I could drive, and their willingness to help, whether it be taking out the trash before YBA meetings or heading over to the apartments behind Temple to retrieve balls that went over the fence during Nakayoshi.
- Right Livelihood
Reminds me of my mom and my dad, who really showed me what it means to be responsible and intentional with everything I take on. Whether it was school, Choir, or YBA, they taught me that managing my time and priorities is very, very, very important.
- Right Effort
Makes me think of working with the other YBA members at different events, like during Spaghetti Dinner when Dylan’s willingness to work came in SUPER clutch when having to wash an unthinkable amount of dishes… even the woks… and Jeremy and Kai’s humor while working hard at the Polish Dog booth that made our shifts so much fun. Especially when we didn’t know how to read or spell people’s names when they ordered… we tried our best!
- Right Mindfulness
Reminds me of the importance of living in the moment and embracing the random fun side quests and sweet treat runs I would go on, like sitting in the car enjoying Dutch Bros during the Fresno conference after me, Jill, and others begged the advisors to take us. Or my way too frequent Diddams trips with Rebecca where we would hunt for needohs after Dharma School and Meetings.
- Right Meditation
Reminds me of the importance of slowing down to reflect during fleeting moments like when we would sit around the campfire during the YBA camping trip and reminisce over the memories we had made over the past years.
YBA Has Prepared Me
As I prepare to leave for college, I realize how much YBA has prepared me for the next stage of my life. The values I learned through the Temple have shaped the way I approach challenges, relationships, and especially uncertainty. Which I feel a lot of it now that I’m going to college. Although I am nervous about this chapter of my life coming to a close, I know that the memories and sense of community I found at Temple will follow me for the rest of my life.
But more than anything, what I will carry with me is not just the memories, but the people I made them with. The conversations before and after service, the laughter during events, and even the quiet walks to my car after long days at Temple added up to something I didn’t fully understand until I wrote this speech.
To the Sangha, “Thank You” for supporting me, encouraging me, and helping me grow into who I am today. I will always be grateful to call this place my home.
Thank You