Good afternoon, everyone. It is with great joy that we welcome you to this Eitaikyo service, our traditional ceremony for the perpetual transmission of the Dharma. Today, we dedicate our time and reverence to the Buddha’s teachings which, like a clear light, continue to guide us as we honor the memory of those who have passed away. Eitaikyo is a precious moment of profound gratitude, a time to recognize that the light of the Dharma will illuminate our path now and forever.

Through saying goodbye to our beloved ones, we are gently reminded that this earthly life is not eternal. Everything in this world exists in a state of constant transition; nothing remains identical. The very essence of the universe we inhabit is this continuous change. There is no permanent physical life here, meaning that one day every single one of us will face the transition we call death. This is why we feel such deep appreciation and attachment to this fleeting moment called “now.” We experience a quiet anxiety about where the love filling our hearts—this deep affection for someone so precious—will go after death. Yet, even this attachment and anxiety are warmly embraced by the light of Amida Buddha, and a realm of absolute and unshakeable peace awaits our arrival.

In many religious traditions, people express their gratitude for divine blessings by offering their finest material possessions. On our Buddhist path, and especially during Eitaikyo, our way of receiving and expressing this gratitude is beautifully unique. We welcome our departed loved ones into our hearts as those who have already attained Buddhahood. We believe that the greatest gift these Buddhas have left behind for us is the precious time we spent together in this world. And we who remain remember with immense fondness the warm memories, the wisdom, and the journeys shared with them.

To preserve their presence within our memories—which is the temporary home we offer them—and to share their stories continuously is the highest expression of respect and gratitude we can offer. The term Eitaikyo literally signifies that the warm affection of those who remember the deceased will remain eternally in this world, long outlasting their physical lifespans. This devotion acts like a sacred relay stick passed from life to life, delivered with care to the next generation and into the future. This ceremony is a celebration of gratitude for the profound interconnectedness of all life. It is an act of great nobility, born from this active compassion, to maintain the flame of the Dharma forever. May the thought, “I am living this life with deep value,” resonate within the hearts of everyone gathered here today. Namandabu.