A Strong External Power 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Rev. Zuicho Hashimoto

The Hidaka River which is well known as the love story, “Anchin and Kiyohime” is the origin of my life.

I was born as a second son of a poor family in Wakayama prefecture. When I was in the first grade of elementary school, my mother asked me, “Would you go to a Buddhist temple at Minabe?” I answered instantly, “Surely, I want to go” because I had never been on bus or train. Soon my mother took me to “Gokurakuji temple” It was on 20^th of October, 1936.

While we stayed at the temple for four or five days, my mother took steps to change my school near the temple.

On the sixth morning, she told me “I’ll go back today, and you must be a disciple of this temple and obey the priest and his wife.” I suddenly felt lonely and cried, for I came here only because I wanted to get on bus or train, and never thought that I had to part from my mother. I had it later that because I cried and cried so heard my mother put off going back one more day. That night I slept with my mother at the temple and felt secure with her. Next morning she slipped out quietly while I was sleeping. When I was awake, I cried more hard.

Ever since that day, I have become a disciple of the temple. Every day when it got dark, I missed her very much and stood on the bark of the pond which was back of the temple, and watched the moutain far away. I could not help crying.

A month passed. On the 20^th of November when I was at school, my teacher told me, “You must go back to your temple at once.” I went back without having any idea about it. When I was back, “Hurry up! You must go back to your home” the priest’s wife ordered. I was awfully glad, I have never been so happy.

“Hello, Mother!” I said loudly and went into my dear old home. But the atmosphere was quite strange. Grandmother had been weeping and neighbors had gathered. Someone was sleeping in front of the Buddhist altar. On her face there was a white cloth. I never supposed she was my mother.

She was only 32 years old. I was shocked. I never forget the coldness of her cheek and chest when I clutched at her body.

After the funeral, I tried to escape when I was forced to take back to the temple. But it did not work.

Since that day, 64 years slipped by quickly. But slowly, now I am hearten by the strange leading power of Buddies wisdom and compassion.

If not for my mother’s decision and strong power, I would not be here today to appreciate this wonderful excellent profound teaching of Amida Buddha.