Homework #2

How is your daily life affected by Buddhism?

○いただきます
When we eat a food, we say “Itadakimasu”. When we were children, our parents taught us “You should say Itadakimasu”. This word was included thanks for all things. Food, producer, life… “Itadakimasu” originated with Buddhism. We usually doesn’t mind the life from foods. But, we can’t live without other life. We say “Itadakiamsu”, and we should mind thanks for life.

○Bon <お盆>
In Japan, many people prepare for Bon in August. This day, we greet an ancestor, and we render great service to ancestor. I think, we living now by the grace of ancestor. This day, we can feel a connection with ancestor. I think we must value the Bon.

○Yoga <ヨガ>
Now, many people are doing Yoga in Japan. When we are doing yoga, we feel good, can maintain health, looking back upon our life. We think Yoga is one way of health care. But, originally it was introduced from Buddhism in India, and it was one way of training. Maybe, many people didn’t know these things.

○visit to a grave <墓参り>
We visit to a grave in special day. We clean a grave, tell the thanks for ancestor, and we wish that we can spend good time. Sometimes, we visit there with Buddhist priest and we were read a sutra by him. Recently, the people who visit to a grave is now decreasing. But, I think when we visit to grave, we can cleanse my heart. Why we can live now? It was connected life from ancestor.

○Thank you <ありがとう>
When we tell someone thanks, we say ありがとう in Japanese. Originally it was Buddhism too. First, this word mean, born is rare. Then it was changed. Now, it mean is thanks. “Thank you” is easy telling someone thanks, and it is best way to can telling thanks. Now, many people can’t say “Thank you”. But if we don’t say “Thank you”, human relation was broken off. “Thank you” is very important word.