During the weekend of February 27~29, 2004 about 30 adventurous members of West Covina Buddhist Temple journeyed up to the San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple, located in the heart of the scenic Central Coast of California for their 2004 Family Retreat. In this case, the word "adventurous" is not used lightly because just one day prior to the retreat—and one day after—California experienced very heavy rainstorms! Fortunately, the retreat was "blessed" (no, we don’t believe in supernatural powers, but we’ll take good weather whenever we get it!) with absolutely gorgeous weather. Friday night, the retreat began with families showing up at the rather isolated temple location one-by-one—except, that is, for the Tanji and Kagawa families, who had somehow gotten a bit lost. We were about to send out "search parties," but just then, they both popped into the parking lot in one piece!
The next day, during the opening service, Rev. Ken Kawawata gave a warm welcome message and encouraged retreat participants to "Get to know each other better and to deepen friendships." Then he introduced featured speaker Dr. Franz Metcalf, Professor of Religion at Cal State University Los Angeles, and the author of 3 popular books on Buddhism.
 |
 |
| Dr. Franz Metcalf | Participants take notes during the lecture |
Dr. Metcalf began his opening talk to the combined audience of adults and children by stating he himself was a "do-it-yourself" Buddhist." He said he had read many books in college and in his 12 years as a graduate student, and that he had studied many Buddhist traditions. Perhaps partly due to this exposure to a wide variety of traditions, Dr. Metcalf felt the only path for him was to construct his personal "Buddhist vehicle" for himself.
Specifically, in comparing Jodo Shinshu to Zen, he said, "I love the openness to failure in Jodo Shinsu," referring in large part to founder Shinran Shonin's own admission of his failure to attain enlightenment after 20 years as a monk on Mt. Hiei. In contrast, Dr. Metcalf pointed out that historically, Zen had been the practice of choice for the elite class of samurai warriors. Why his appreciation of an "openness to failure?" Dr. Metcalf told a personal story of a kindergarten failure. Due to his age when entering kindergarten, he had been put into the "high" kindergarten class, only to later find out that, because he hadn’t yet completed the "low" half of the class, he had to be "held back," and repeat the entire year! Understandably, as a young child, this was a crushing blow to his ego, because he felt like he had failed. Dr. Metcalf confided to us that this early "failure" is what led him to feel the need to "prove himself," driving him to graduate from the University of California at Berkeley and to eventually earn his Phd at the University of Chicago.
"Ultimately," he said, "Buddhism is about being honest, being yourself—because we’re all buddhas." Being aware of this teaching helps him relax in pressure situations, like public speaking. Dr. Metcalf explained that, as a Buddhist lecturer, he realizes, "It’s not about what I want to speak about. Rather, it’s ‘What do people need to hear about the dharma?’ This way, it’s no longer about me, which eliminates my self-consciousness. This can actually make one fearless, and in Buddhist writings, we sometimes read about the ‘lion’s roar,’ which refers to the fearlessness of a person of the dharma."
Speaking especially to the kids, Dr. Metcalf compared those kids present who had "grown up in Buddhism" to fish who’ve grown up in the ocean. And whether a fish likes or "dislikes" the ocean—e.g., a dharma school student who might say "The temple is boring"—the dharma is still "happening" naturally. "This whole ocean around you is supporting and sustaining you," he said. In addition, he added that, "All of you kids here are practicing the tradition. Just as in learning to ride a bicycle, in the beginning of your Buddhist practice, you may have needed ‘training wheels.’ For example, your parents probably had to teach you how and when to bow at the altar. But after a while, the training wheels come off and you can say, ‘Namu Amida Butsu’ without having to try. Most importantly, when you are saying Namu Amida Butsu and asking ‘What does Namu Amida Butsu mean?,’ you are also actually practicing Namu."
Furthermore, Dr. Metcalf said that one’s "dharma bike" has another thing in common with their actual bike; once you learn to "ride it," you never forget because, "The knowledge is in your bones." And even if you put it away for awhile, for example, when you go away to college, "Because you’ve grown up in the dharma, the dharma will still always be there, just like the ocean is for the fish."
Following his talk to the kids, Dr. Metcalf continued on and gave a talk to the adults. In this talk, he began by commenting on the differences between the two Jodo Shinshu traditions, Nishi Honganji and Higashi Honganji. "The Nishi teachers tend to emphasize the reciting of Namu Amida Butsu in order to enter the Pure Land at death, and many Nishi followers associate the Pure Land only with death. But Higashi teachers tend to emphasize that the Pure Land is accessible now. This is true to the teaching of Shakyamuni also, who talked only about the here and now."
Dr. Metcalf went on to introduce his new book on practical Buddhism entitled, Just Add Buddha. He explained that his first work was the well-known, What Would Buddha Do?, which was followed by What Would Buddha Do at Work?, and Buddha in Your Backpack, his work aimed at teenagers. What motivated him to write his current book is partly due to his observation that "Religion is everywhere now," he stated. He cited the heated debate in various religious circles about gay marriage and the controversies surrounding the movie, The Passion of Christ. Religion has come to the forefront of today’s political scene. Yet, in our everyday lives, Dr. Metcalf also wanted to address the real need for what he referred to as "quick and yet effective ways" to practice Buddhism in everyday life situations.
Interestingly, one might not initially expect someone with Dr. Metcalf’s Zen background—he had been a student of the Zen Center’s esteemed Maezumi Roshi (Soto Zen Tradition)—to be so involved as a Buddhist author and lecturer, perhaps especially given Soto Zen’s emphasis on solitary, sitting meditation. However, he clarified, "I’m not a Zen Buddhist. And, to be honest, as the years have gone by, I’ve thought less and less about ‘kensho’ (satori; literally, "seeing into one’s own nature"—Ed.) and more and more about compassion. And I ask myself, do I have compassion, right here, right now?...As Jesus said, ‘By their fruits shall you know them’; this is how you can tell the quality of any teacher."
Demonstrating his desire to share some useful advice for our everyday lives, from his new book, Dr. Metcalf described one technique for dealing with life’s frustrations. He went into some detail about a particular "vow" that is ascribed to the Buddha. He explained that this vow describes a buddha’s understanding of the interdependence of all life. The implication of this, he explained, is that if I seriously consider the causes and conditions that led to my birth, I have to conclude that, even if I’m on the phone with someone who is severly trying my patience—a complaining or critical relative, or perhaps even a telephone marketer—I have to conclude that in reality, "’I owe you my life,’ because any person could have been my mother in a past life. In Buddhism, this is considered ‘skillful action.’ However, if you say, ‘Oh this is so tedious, so boring,’ you are trapping yourself in what Buddhism calls ‘poison.’ This is considered unskillful action." Dr. Metcalf admitted that this doesn’t always work, but he has found it to be a powerful technique, and one which can have an astounding effect on our actions. This is because, "Even if it is only for a moment, our thinking has changed…this is skillful thought," he said.
In regards to such questions as, "Is this the right person for me to marry?" or, "What if my marriage is a terrible mistake?," Dr. Metcalf quoted Shinran, who had stated in the Tannisho that he didn’t know if he was headed in the right spiritual direction or not, but that it ultimately didn’t matter because he trusted his teachers and he was going to continue following their direction regardless. Similarly, as in evaluating any specific religious tradition, if we are as honest as Shinran, we have to admit we really can’t tell if our marriage is leading us to hell. Ultimately, we cannot know. Therefore, he advised us that we should just say, "I’m not in any ‘other’ marriage—I’m in this one." And, to simply go ahead and, "Love your life and live your marriage."
What about questions regarding Buddhism’s often-mentioned "sexist past?" For example, Dr. Metcalf cited the statement possibly attributed to the Buddha (when he had decided to admit women to the previously all-male Sangha) that, "Now that women are admitted to the Sangha, the Dharma will only last 500 years, not 1000 years." Likewise, in Mahayana Buddhism, there is controversy over the 35th vow of the Larger Sutra, which seems to state that, in order for women to become buddhas, they must first become men. In response, Dr. Metcalf asked the very important question, "But is the dharma only exactly what Buddha said—his actual words—or is it rather the truth that he was trying to get at?"
 |
 |
 |
| We had a lively discussion at Avila Beach | While the adults were in discussion, the kids enjoyed exploring (that's seaweed!) | Visiting Avila Beach was very invigorating! |
Later, on Saturday afternoon, and after returning from a wonderful side trip to scenic Avila Beach, Dr. Metcalf gathered everyone in the temple hondo for a Zen meditation practice session. He gave a short introduction to zazen, or sitting meditation, and clarified that the goal is not necessarily to do or accomplish anything, but to "just sit" and observe one's mind. This mind, he said, is described by Zen teachers as the "monkey mind," because it is always busy chattering to itself and constantly preoccupied with its own ego-centric issues. Dr. Metcalf instructed everyone on a few options for how to sit—most sat on the hondo's benches, but a few sat on the floor in lotus postures following Dr. Metcalf's lead—and how to breathe. As an effective means of helping to slow down the mind, he advised us to focus on our breathing in and out, and to count each breath up to ten, then to count again from one. Then, following the ringing of a bell, we all entered into zazen for approximately 15 or 20 minutes—even though we were "just sitting," it was impossible to gauge how much time had passed. This meditation session proved to be most illuminating. If we weren't convinced of our "monkey minds" before, we all certainly were now! But also, even though these were "controlled circumstances," couldn't the calming experience of "just sitting" and counting the breath somehow also be incorporated into one's daily routine?
 |
 |
| Above, the Jitosho Family cooks a hearty breakfast! Below, Johnny and Joanie Martinez gave us a very impressive ballroom dance demonstration |
Above, Tor Ormseth, Claudia Haraguchi and Rene Kuwahara help out with the dinner prep; Below, Diane Hata, Dr. Metcalf and Peter Hata lead the Sangha in singing some popular Buddhistic tunes |
 |
 |
On Saturday Evening, after a wonderful dinner, the Sangha gathered to do a little singing and dancing. Some of the songs sung were, Colors of the Wind and I Hope You Dance, which were led by Lotus Band Advisor Peter Hata, who used Lotus’ own accompaniment tracks (let’s just say it’s a good thing the Lotus Band weren’t present!), and the Beatle’s Yesterday, Let It Be and Imagine, led by Rev. Ken and Dr. Metcalf (himself a big John Lennon fan). Later Masami Jitosho and Sensei also sang some old Japanese folk songs, such as Subaru (not referring to the car, but to the stars known as the "Southern Cross"). One highlight also was some spirited dancing, led by Joanie Martinez, who not only taught everyone the Electric Slide but also peformed an dazzling display of ballroom dancing with husband Johnny. They’re pretty good!
In his final lecture on Sunday, Dr. Metcalf focused his talk on the idea of becoming or being a bodhisattva, and began by asking, "Who or what is a bodhisattva?" He explained that "bodhi" refers to awakening and "sattva" refers to a living being. The "classic" definition of a bodhisattva says that this is someone who is a "very high level" being, one who is on the 9th of 10 levels on the path towards buddhahood. However, rather than continuing on to full attainment, the bodhisattva forgoes it in order to come back and save sentient beings. Examples of classic bodhisattvas are Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom who banishes delusion, and Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, who "hears the cries of the world" and is compelled to action. Dr. Metcalf stated that a contemporary example of such a bodhisattva would be H.H. The Dalai Lama.
Dr. Metcalf mentioned that a wonderful book that goes into great detail on the bodhisattvas is Faces of Compassion: Classic Bodhisattva Archetypes and Their Modern Expression, by Taigen Dan Leighton. The book states that Albert Einstein and Mother Theresa are modern examples, respectively, of wisdom and compassion in action. But what do bodhisattvas have to do with the tradition of Jodo Shinshu, where one often hears an emphasis on the concept of "tariki," or "other power?" Dr. Metcalf offered his belief that "calling on bodhisattvas" for assistance is much like "calling on tariki" in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism. In concluding his introduction to bodhisattvas, Dr. Metcalf added that the bodhisattva Maitreya is a special case. This is the bodhisattva who is said to be "waiting to become the next Buddha." Of course, on a more down-to-earth level, and contrary to the common belief that bodhisattvas are very rare beings with strange, foreign-sounding names, Dr. Metcalf clarified that bodhisattvas are actually all around us. Ultimately, "We are all bodhisattvas," he said.
Again displaying his penchant for "practical" ways to practice Buddhism in general, and bodhisattva action in particular, Dr. Metcalf offered a way to deal with one’s own dukkha, or suffering. In a sense, it is rather like the "trick" of distraction that all young parents learn as a means of dealing with their fussy toddler. "Rather than obsessing over our own problems, help someone else deal with theirs," he said. "There is nothing like losing your own dukkha in someone else’s dukkha. When we act this way, we are bodhisattvas and experience a kind of liberation."
He anticipated our response of, "But I’m not a bodhisattva" by saying, "Don’t think that you are not a bodhisattva, because you are, and you can act as one." The key, he said, is to avoid unskillful activity and to get beyond one’s petty schemes and worries. He quoted the Zen master Dogen, who said "Studying the self is forgetting the self." What Dogen is alluding to is the world of oneness and non-duality that is beyond the ego-self, Dr. Metcalf explained. On this level, the ego-self, which in our narrow ego-centered view, is something we think we are solely responsible for, is instead seen as being actualized by all things, by the interdependence of all life. Or, as it might be stated in Jodo Shinshu, it is all about being "OK" with not only "just as you are," but with everyone else, "just as they are" also.
Dr. Metcalf concluded his talk by saying that, ultimately, when we experience life with this kind of openness, our life becomes very rich indeed. Living this way allows us to let go of our attachments and, when the time is right, to also be able to die peacefully. As he put it, being fully "as you are" means that "Living life is really a practice for death."
 |
| WCBT's retreat particpants pose on the steps of San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple after their successful retreat |
West Covina Buddhist Temple would like to deeply thank Dr. Metcalf for his inspiring talk and in particular, for his useful Buddhist techniques and advice. We would also like to thank all the WCBT Temple Communications Staff members who helped in providing the food for this retreat: The entire Jitosho/Tanji Family for providing some fabulous breakfasts (pancakes, eggs, sausage, hash browns, pastries…), the Hata Family for some "nouveau-deli" lunches (e.g., croissants instead of regular bread for sandwiches, muenster cheese…also for the all-day gourmet coffee), the Martinez Family for an outstanding chicken fajitas dinner (grilled chicken, peppers and onions to die for…), the Haraguchi Family for Claudia’s (now famous) "Central Coast Salad" and the Kagawa Family for providing a bunch of other essentials, such as Ruby’s delectable cookies. Many thanks also to Diane Hata, Jeannie Kawawata and the entire Dharma School Staff for organizing and overseeing the children’s activities. Also, it was wonderful to reunite with the much-missed Kuwahara Family, who attended the retreat from their home base in Northern California—those of us who've been at WCBT for any length of time know how much Rene and Steve contributed to our temple.
Finally, we thank San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple for welcoming us and allowing us to use their beautiful temple, and hope to return there again in the not-too-distant future. And of course, we thank Rev. Ken for being such a warm minister, not losing sight of the "big picture"—our families—and encouraging all of us to join together for this special retreat. We hope to see you at the next family retreat!