人と花、海と星 -記録だけになった昨今-

　In early November, I attended the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu Gongyo Session at the Diaseido (Hall of the Great Vow for Kosen-rufu) in Tokyo. The weather in Nagoya and Tokyo was warm and mild for November (OK without a jacket). Nagoya station was crowded, but only in the morning, as it was the first day of the three consecutive holidays (Tokyo always seems to be very crowded for those who come to Tokyo from regional cities).

　I attended a Min-On concert titled "RAJATON JAPAN Tours 2023” on November 12th (which is commemorating the 60th anniversary of the founding of Min-On.). In mid-November, it gets cold even in Nagoya, with a minimum temperature of 8°C and a maximum of about 15°C. So even though the concert started at 3:00 p.m., I wore a jacket.  

　I attended a Min-On concert titled "Healing Hawaiian Music and Hula Dance" on September 3. This concert commemorated the 60th anniversary of the founding of Min-On and the 155th anniversary of Japanese immigration to Hawaii, as well as the 170th anniversary of Japan-U.S. relations.

　I visited my sixth grandson's kindergarten for a field day with my seventh grandson, who came home on October 7th, on a beautiful fall day. These events, which occur twice in spring and autumn in Japan, are a great source of joy for grandparents, not to mention parents. Of course, with delight, we watched his activities as he ran and danced. Our spirits gradually cleared, much like the sky today. This is happiness for everyone, and therefore, anyone who brings about war is like a devil.  

　The buddhability.org posted the podcast "What does Buddhism say about dealing with grief? (EPISODE 120)” on August 25. It happened to be my father’s birthday, who passed away twelve years ago, but it doesn't hold any particular significance.
　My wife passed away in January. I grieved deeply due to this loss until April. However, as a practicing Buddhist, I firmly believe that she has already been reborn into this world. This belief is rooted in the philosophy of "Life and Death Are One (Episode posted on May 10, 2021)”, which is also known as transmigration in Buddhism.
　All trains on the Takayama Line (from Gifu to Toyama) were replaced with the new HC85 model (Link in Japanese) after March of this year, featuring a hybrid (engine+motor+battery) drive (Link in Japanese). Thus, I had the opportunity to board the "HIDA (HC85)" express train in August. In essence, I embarked on a rail journey to the spa with my daughter's family, totalling about twenty people.
　I attended the MIN-ON concert titled "Jasmine Choi's Flute Recital (Link in Japanese) ," where she performed alongside pianist Toshiki Usui. She (Jasmine Choi) shared a photo of the event on social media, and I happened to be in the photo. It was my first experience attending a flute solo concert. I was amazed by how beautiful the sound of her flute was, as I had only ever heard the sound of the flute on a vinyl record of Rampal's performance a long time ago.

　The events in August were ordinary as mentioned above, but these brought some pleasure and peaceful minds for me. So I thank this world.