Thank you Reverend Kimura and Reverend Arima for conducting this morning's Kosen Rufu Shodai and Okyobi ceremony.

This morning's Okyobi address is relatively simple and short.  Over the past months Reverend Kimura and the Koto have been emphasizing increased attendance at the temple activities.  This is based on Nichiren Daishonin's admonition to Hokkeko members to "stay close to the priest who knows the Law".  Our chief priest has been appointed by the High Priest to act in his stead.  This choice means that Reverend Kimura has the trust of the High Priest and the Head Temple to keep and teach the pure Law.

During one of the past August Study Tozans I was able to hear a lecture by Reverend Kawabe.  He began his lecture by asking "We all know that the High Priest is the master but do you all know what he is the master of"?  He continued, "most people think he is the master of the teachings but he is really the master of following".  When I heard this it really opened my eyes to the fact that we are able to practice the pure Law because the High Priests have mastered following as the Daishonin taught without adding their own idea or subtracting anything from it.  The priests' training is strict because they maintain the purity of the Law—practice is either correct or it's wrong, there is no "good enough".

Reverend Kimura returns to the Head Temple periodically to maintain the correct course and receive guidance from the High Priest.  We also come to Myoshin-ji regularly to maintain the correct course and hear and follow Reverend Kimura's guidance.  When we come here we should not only listen to the words the priests speak, but also to watch and copy the attitude with which they practice and trust that their actions and their words are all guidance in the correct practice. 

Correct practice leads to correct faith based on the principle of Shiki Shin Funi (body and mind are one).  When the body is strong and upright so is the mind.  And when the mind is strong and upright it will naturally show in the posture of the body.  Therefore, we should listen carefully to the Chief Priest's lectures and also look carefully at his actions and take to heart his example of posture during practice, the rhythm and tempo of daimoku, the pronunciation of daimoku and Gongyo, when to strike the bell during Gongyo, how to strike the bell, and other actions and strive to take that home and practice this way to the best of our ability.

If we do not come to the temple regularly and strive to go on Tozan each year, we will deviate from the true teachings until we are no longer practicing True Buddhism.  This deviation will occur before we even notice that it has happened.  Therefore, let's all work together to encourage each other to attend temple ceremonies and work together to help overcome the obstacles that prevent us from being here— whether it be arranging and offering rides to the temple, picking up members and driving them to the temple or arranging home visitations with the Chief Priest.  I am confident that when we chant together to overcome obstacles in this way, our own practice of shakubuku will naturally improve.  Thank you for your kind attention.