Seasonal Letter, April: “Remembered Cherry Blossoms in Spring”
Jigenji Temple – Seasonal Letters “Remembered Cherry Blossoms in Spring”
Each month, Jigenji Temple sends you a Seasonal Letter.
It is now mid-April. Along with cherry petals dancing in the wind, spring has set off from the village of Akiu on its journey farther north. Soon the village will be dyed entirely in fresh, vivid green. The cherry blossoms that linger after the rest have fallen are called “nagori no hana,” the flowers of farewell — and some of you who come to the Goma fire prayer on the 18th may find your hearts soothed by an unexpected few.
This is a story from when the Dai-Ajari was still a young novice. Aiming for the Sennichi Kaihōgyō, he trained every day to build up his body, in addition to his temple duties and studies. The people of the temple town at Yoshino saw how hard he was working and, one after another, began to speak words of encouragement. One of them said, “If you build a temple someday, I’ll donate cherry trees” — and when the temple was actually built, that person sent many cherry trees. Those cherished trees are planted around the pond and on the slope behind the temple.
The cherry blossom, also called “yumemigusa,” the dreaming flower, lives a fleeting life; its full-blown splendor lasts only a brief moment of the year. Yet through summer, autumn, and winter it carries on the work of living without a moment’s rest, and in spring it brings forth beautiful flowers. That way of living overlaps with the figure of the Dai-Ajari, who kept walking the mountains no matter how painful it was.
— This Month’s Words from Dai-Ajari Ryojun Shionuma —
Every person holds every possibility.
The possibility of living well, and the possibility of living badly.
Which way we turn depends entirely on our own heart.
However difficult it may be, do not run from what is in front of you, but give it your very best.
Cherish your connections, and do the work you have been given with all your heart.
Then the way will surely open before you.
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