Today, we gather with deep gratitude for our collective memorial service and to celebrate the Spring Equinox. It is a profound joy to meet here together and listen to the compassionate teachings of Amida Buddha. In the gentle warmth of spring, flowers bloom beautifully, birds sing, and all of life awakens. Nature gently reminds us of the constant cycle of existence and how precious it is to live fully within the limited time we are given.

Today is also a sacred day to remember and pay tribute to those who have already departed. The loss of a beloved family member brings a profound sadness and quiet loneliness into our lives. Yet, the path of the Buddha guides us with gentle light to accept and gradually transform this deep sorrow.

Buddhism teaches us the fundamental truth of impermanence: everything in this world is in a state of constant transition, and nothing remains unchanged. We are born, and we must inevitably face death. However, the teachings of the Buddha assure us that physical death is not a final extinction, but rather a new beginning—a birth into the Pure Land.

Through our encounters and farewells with various people along our journey, we awaken to the true preciousness of life and the value of human connection. Even when the physical body passes away, a person’s loving thoughts, values, and memories remain vividly alive in our hearts, handed down like an eternal flame of life.

Amida Buddha, with the universal vow to save all beings unconditionally, warmly invites us to the Pure Land. The Pure Land is a realm of absolute peace, completely free from worldly suffering, pain, and grief. Even when we lose our way or struggle in deep sorrow, Amida Buddha never abandons us, watching over our steps with infinite compassion.

And those dear ones who have already left our side are also being guided by Amida Buddha’s compassionate light into that same realm of eternal peace.

May the light of Amida Buddha, like the warm rays of spring, reach deep into your hearts and shine upon those who have gone before us. May this spiritual connection bring comfort to your minds, serving as a source of strength for today and a bright hope for tomorrow.