At the end of May, I had the great honor and privilege to participate in the Vesak service at the White House.
This is the fourth time that the Biden Administration has provided this opportunity to share our religious tradition at our nation’s capitol. I was able to participate in the first one held four years ago, and each year, it has grown. This year, there were nearly 100 people in attendance with our main guest, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.
Vesak is the Buddhist observance that honors the birth, the enlightenment, and the passing into nirvana of Shakyamuni Buddha, all in one religious observance. Most of the other Buddhist traditions observe this, while our Shin Buddhist tradition separates the events into Hanamatsuri, Bodhi Day, and Nirvana Day.
At the Vesak, each of the three vehicles of Buddhism were present, Theravada, Mahayana, and Vajrayana. I represented Mahayana, along with Bishop Rev. Toshiyuki Umitani from the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, Rev. Kiyonobu Kuwahara from the Jodo Shinshu International Office, and several Korean Buddhist monks and nuns.
I was asked to give a short, two-minute message on behalf of the Mahayana tradition. I would like to share the message that I gave:
“Distinguished guests, Venerable Buddhist Masters and Teachers, and friends in the Sangha. Our deepest gratitude to the Biden Administration and the Second Gentleman for this wonderful opportunity to gather for this auspicious occasion today.
“Mahayana literally means ‘large vehicle’ like a big bus that carries many people. Buddhism uses the metaphor of a vehicle to illustrate how Buddhism is a teaching that carries us from a life of delusion, ignorance and suffering, to a life of awakening, wisdom and liberation. This large vehicle carries anyone and everyone, regardless of race, gender, social status, or sexual orientation.
“Our world is in great need of the teachings, to awaken us to our own greed, anger and ignorance that brings suffering not only to ourselves, but to others. We are in great need of the teachings that urge us to listen to the Dharma, to listen to others, to listen to our own inner voice. We are in great need of the teachings that act as a mirror enabling us to deeply self-reflect, to truly live a life of humility and gratitude. We are in great need of the teachings that urge us to live a life of a bodhisattva, to work for the enlightenment of all beings.
“The Heart Sutra that we just recited expresses the interconnected world of oneness. This understanding of the world enables us to live with a deep sense of compassion, to treat all beings as if they are our brothers and sisters, to treat all beings as if they are a part of each of us, and in truth, they are.
“The Buddha’s deepest wish for the world is that all beings might find true peace and happiness. Today, as we celebrate and pay reverence to the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing into Nirvana may the Buddha’s wish for the world be fulfilled.”
The White House Vesak Service is an annual event that celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha. This sacred occasion brings together Buddhist leaders, diplomats, and dignitaries to honor the values of peace, compassion, and understanding. The service often features prayers, reflections, and discussions on Buddhist teachings. While such events are typically formal, even the White House sometimes has unexpected moments. During one Vesak celebration, a plumber was called to address a plumbing issue, reminding attendees of the importance of humility and service in everyday life.
It's amazing to think of how far we have come as a country, from internment and war to this celebration at the White House. Thank you Bishop Harada for bringing this message, and to the Biden Administration for creating this space.