Good afternoon, everyone. Just as the waters of the dam, visible from this main hall, regain their tranquil beauty on misty winter mornings, may our hearts also find serenity during this season of quiet reflection.

It is not uncommon for us to receive visits at the temple from people carrying heavy hearts. Some years ago, a man who had lost his beloved wife came to seek guidance. Throughout his life, he had worked tirelessly, dedicating himself fully to his career, his local community, and, most of all, to his family.

“When winter arrives, the longing for my wife becomes almost unbearable,” he shared, holding back his tears with great difficulty. “She rests beneath the cold, frozen earth, while I am here basking in the warm sunshine… It brings me such profound pain and sorrow.”

The minister listened with deep empathy and replied gently: “It is true that your wife is no longer physically by your side. However, the world she loved so dearly and for which she gave her absolute best continues to surround and support you today. Every ray of sunlight, every drop of rain is a part of the life she helped build. Her warm smile has not vanished; it will continue to shine brightly within your heart.”

He then shared these words of comfort with him: “Let us root ourselves firmly in the earth and live in harmony with the wind. Let us endure the winter like seeds beneath the soil, and sing of the spring alongside the birds.”

Just as a seed silently preserves the promise of new life destined to bloom in the spring, we carry the cherished memories and love of our departed ones deep within us. We must find the spiritual strength to move forward, mirroring the natural world as it regenerates after a harsh winter. The pain of loss is a natural human experience, yet the Buddha’s teachings gently remind us: ‘It is never too late’ to find inner peace. We cannot rewrite the past, but we can transform our future by honoring the legacy of those we loved, choosing to live each day with presence and gratitude.

If you encounter a friend walking through the winter of their grief, let us offer them warm, comforting words. In doing so, we often heal our own hearts as well. Gathering here today to reflect and pray together offers us a precious opportunity to transcend differences in language and culture, sharing our burdens and warming each other’s spirits. We hope this temple remains a sanctuary of peace, hope, and shelter for all of you. Through honoring our departed loved ones, may we find the strength to heal and step forward into tomorrow with hope.