Rev Katsu’s Weekly Message – October 26

Learning from Buddhist Stories No. 7

 Buddhist stories are good reading materials for children as well as adults to learn important Buddhist principles and values such as compassion, wisdom, kindness, view, joy, and happiness. I express my appreciation to Rev. Satoko Fujii who allowed me to translate her original articles and use her “Kirie” art (art made of cut paper pieces). Continue reading “Rev Katsu’s Weekly Message – October 26”

The 75th Anniversary of the A-Bomb, Part 3

“The basis for peace is for people to understand the pain of others.”
An atomic bomb victim, Mr. Katsuji Yoshida, left this message for us before he passed away in 2010. He was a member of my family temple, Kougenji and also a good friend of my father. He was thirteen years old when the A-bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9th, 1945. He was badly burned because he was close to ground zero. Later, he made a big effort to tell his experience to younger generations. He also came to the U.S.A. to convey his experience and wish for peace. I truly appreciate his words, which are related to the Buddha’s great compassion. I would like to introduce his article written in 2005 and think about “Peace” with you.

Transfer to the Omura Naval Hospital

Kounji temple was in front of our house. People cremated the bodies at the temple’s grounds. The smells of cremation flowed into our house. Pus and maggots were oozing out all over my body. These nasty odors blended and filled our house. I was so relieved to be able to go home and meet my parents. After a while, I became unconscious. Later, I was told that I kept talking in delirium. Continue reading “The 75th Anniversary of the A-Bomb, Part 3”

The 75th Anniversary of the A-Bomb, Part 2

“The basis for peace is for people to understand the pain of others.”

An atomic bomb victim, Mr. Katsuji Yoshida, left this message for us before he passed away in 2010. He was a member of my family temple, Kougenji and also a good friend of my father. He was thirteen years old when the A-bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9th, 1945. He was badly burned because he was close to ground zero. Later, he made a big effort to tell his experience to younger generations. He also came to the U.S.A. to convey his experience and wish for peace. I truly appreciate his words, which are related to the Buddha’s great compassion. I would like to introduce his article written in 2005 and think about “Peace” with you. – Rev. Kusunoki

<Two students died in front of me>

We went back to the commercial high school where we took refuge before. The pain that I suffered when the glaring sunlight hit my burned flesh was like hell on earth. After sunset, my pain became better. However, my face started swelling. One of my friends cried and said that he wanted to go home. I told him that it was better to wait for someone to come to rescue us. But, he didn’t listen to me. He left there and crossed over a hill even though his right eye was blind. Luckily he got back to his home. He also visited my family and told them. Continue reading “The 75th Anniversary of the A-Bomb, Part 2”

The 75th Anniversary of the A-Bomb: Suddenly, Kaboom

“The basis for peace is for people to understand the pain of others.”

An atomic bomb victim, Mr. Katsuji Yoshida, left this message for us before he passed away in 2010. He was a member of my family temple, Kougenji and also a good friend of my father. He was thirteen years old when the A-bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9th, 1945. He was badly burned because he was close to ground zero. Later, he made a big effort to tell his experience to younger generations. He also came to the U.S.A. to convey his experience and wish for peace. I truly appreciate his words, which are related to the Buddha’s great compassion. I would like to introduce his article written in 2005 and think about “Peace” with you. Continue reading “The 75th Anniversary of the A-Bomb: Suddenly, Kaboom”