Rev. Etsuko Mikame, a minister at the San Jose Buddhist Church Betsuin, was the guest speaker at the Nirvana Day & Pet Memorial Service on Sunday, February 8. She was born in Shimane, Japan, where her family Temple has shared the Nembutsu for over 300 years. She graduated from Waseda University with a degree in English Literature. Her grandmother inspired her to become a Buddhist minister.
Nirvana Day is the day when Shakyamuni Buddha passed away. Many disciples gathered along with many animals like elephants, tigers and snakes because the Buddha cared about all living beings.
Rev. Mikame said that we should continue to support and care for the people we love, including our precious pets.
Rev. Mikame said “Just like we reflect on every life and every special moment at the Nirvana Day and Pet Memorial Service today, we can also think about the precious moments in our own lives.”
Rev. Mikame showed the Sangha her iPhone 11, but talked about the old fashion camera that she used on her school trips. She said “Our lives are like the camera.” We have special moments with families, friends and many with our precious pets. Those pictures cannot be taken again, so we need to take each picture very carefully. So, try using the camera in your life because it takes special pictures.
She hopes we stay connected as Dharma Friends. When you recite “Namo Amida Butsu,” think about today and the connections we made.
Rev. Mikame will be going back to Japan at the end of February. She will get married when she goes back. She will start a new chapter in her in life with her husband in Japan.
The Mountain View Buddhist Temple appreciates the time that Rev. Mikame took to be with the MVBT Sangha on our Nirvana Day and Pet Memorial Service.
In Gassho,
Namo Amida Butsu
