How is everyone doing? Welcome to our temple today. On our website, we display the names of your precious family members who have passed away, along with their memorial dates. If you wish to add a name, there is no need for complicated paperwork; please simply send the name and date via WhatsApp, and we will add it promptly. These names will remain on our site as an enduring testament to their lives for as long as this temple stands. We encourage you to share this page with your relatives so that many may remember them.

Now, let us transition to our usual Dharma talk. Today, I would like to reflect on what it truly means to be an “important” person. In Ginza, Tokyo’s most bustling district, there are countless sushi restaurants, ranging from highly exclusive venues to affordable yet delicious shops. Do you like sushi? While sushi is world-famous, its true essence lies in Japanese culinary artistry—selecting the finest seasonal fish, preparing it to maximize its natural flavors, and presenting it with the perfect beverage.

Naturally, one might think that a cheap and delicious place is always the best choice. Yet, some people repeatedly visit ultra-expensive sushi establishments where reservations are nearly impossible to secure and a single meal can cost thousands of reals. In some circles, those who can walk into these exclusive restaurants at any time without a reservation are called “important people.” But is that really so? Eating at an expensive restaurant does not inherently make someone noble or important. That would be a superficial way of thinking.

In reality, customers who frequent these high-end shops do not act superior just because they pay a high price. Instead, they often bring exquisite regional sweets or unique gifts from outside Tokyo for the chefs. Despite being paying customers, they remain humble, showing deep respect for the chef’s craftsmanship to cultivate a mutual relationship of respect. In return, the chefs naturally utilize their utmost skills to provide the absolute best hospitality for these loyal patrons, especially during slow seasons when their support keeps the business thriving. Here, the chef prepares the finest ingredients without worrying about the cost, solely to ensure the guest’s joy. This reveals that a truly important person is “one who can remain humble and genuinely care for others.”

While this is a secular example, how does this concept apply to the spiritual realm of the Dharma? Amida Buddha extends a hand of ultimate compassion to guide us to our final destination. This boundless grace is what our founder, Shinran Shonin, praised as unequaled. How do we receive this outstretched hand? Unlike an exclusive restaurant that requires expensive gifts and status, Shinran Shonin showed us a path where, through the simple recitation of the Nembutsu, anyone can receive the highest mercy, regardless of their standing.

Reflecting on this, we find that although the world has many diverse religions, their core ethical teachings are remarkably similar. Most can be distilled into three universal guidelines: do not kill, do not steal, and do not lie. Though scriptures and deities differ, every major faith prioritizes the fundamental rules necessary for human survival and social harmony. Not everyone needs to become a Buddhist, but striving to be a better human being is essential for us all. I deeply respect your noble habit of taking time to honor your ancestors, and I hope we can continue to cherish these essential human values together. The temple is a sanctuary for this shared reflection.

Recently, our mother temple in Kyoto requested aid donations for the victims of the Ishikawa earthquake in the Hokuriku region. If you are able to offer even a small contribution, we would be deeply grateful. The donations collected across Brazil will be gathered at the São Paulo temple and sent directly to Japan. Thank you very much for your continuous kindness and support.