A New Buddha for Boundless Way Temple

photo by Chad Cook

Last night, at Boundless Way Temple, about forty people from our community, including families and children and friends,  witnessed the Eye-Opening Ceremony for our new altar Buddha.  The painted wooden statue is pictured in the center of the photo to the left, surrounded by Mike Fieleke, Sensei, me, David Rynick, Roshi and Bob Waldinger, Sensei.

The Buddha was donated by Paula Moreau, a neighbor, who had received it from her late mother, a follower of the Dalai Lama, and a collector of Buddhas.

Led by our ino (chant-leader) Corwyn Miyagishima, we chanted the Heart Sutra, and Mike Sensei and Bob Sensei recited a special Return of Merit.  Then the teachers and Rev. Paul Galvin recited the ten names of the Buddha.  Many people offered thanks to our old Buddha, and gratitude for our Boundless Way Temple and community.

Here is the ancient text recited at the ceremony by Rev. Paul Galvin, after we served the Buddha his tea and sweet water.

        The body of the Bodhisattva is the intense expression of Buddha's vows.
The world of the ten directions is immeasurably vast.
The boat of compassion is always rowed in this place.
Within the swirl of the sea of delusion
the Dharma Wheel is constantly turning.

David and I painted the eyes of the new Buddha with ink and water, the traditional way of opening the eyes of a Buddha statue and welcoming him to his new home.  Our old Buddha has sat on our altar for the last ten years, since the opening of the Temple.  He has now retired to the Temple hallway, where he greets new-comers and presides over our announcements table.  He is still smiling, but hasn't said anything, so we can only assume that he is happy in his new role.

At the end, this Return of Merit was recited by Corwyn:

                In the dharma world the Buddha body is all-pervading
Appearing everywhere yet not obstructing the myriad beings
Reaching everywhere in accord with conditions and feelings
And yet never moving from the seat of enlightenment
Thus the Buddha’s sea of merit is beyond veneration.
On this occasion of celebrating the Eye Opening of Shakyamuni Buddha
We the community of Boundless Way Temple,
have chanted together the Heart of Great Wisdom Beyond Wisdom
And reverently offered incense, flowers, candlelight, tea and sweet water.
May Shakyamuni Buddha protect the world,
Illuminating all constantly, fully manifesting bodhi mind,
Encouraging us to be timelessly joyful, peaceful,
and in harmony with all living beings.
May the community inside and outside be soothed
May our aspiration for living the Buddha Way increase,
And may awakening be accomplished with all living beings.

Following the ceremony, we had a Zen party, with delicious snacks contributed from many people, coordinated by Joanne Hart.