Interdependence of Life
- rklabuddhistcenter
- Feb 27
- 2 min read
Meaning of Honoring Ancestors of Your Family
Kyohei Mikawa
Minister, Rissho Kosei-kai Buddhist Center of Los Angeles
In Rissho Kosei-kai, we are dedicated to applying the Buddha’s teachings to our everyday lives so that we can reduce emotional pain and suffering and increase joy and gratitude through our own diligent practice.
One of our traditional approaches is to apply the teaching of “no-self” as a way of contemplating the interdependent nature of each person’s life. For example, in order for me to be born, I needed my biological parents, who in turn needed each of their biological parents to be born. If we go back 21 generations, the number of ancestors required for my birth exceeds 1 million. Tracing back 30 generations, there would have needed to be more than 536 million ancestors for me to live my life today. And even this is still only a small part of the vast web of interdependence that my life depends on. If even one of them had been missing, I would not have been born in this lifetime.
By understanding the interdependent nature of life, members of Rissho Kosei-kai offer prayers of gratitude for this simple yet profound fact: that for each of us to be born, countless ancestors were necessary. Members of RKLA are invited to submit the names of their ancestors, or any other deceased loved ones including deceased friends or mentors to whom they feel especially close. (For example, it does not have to be your grandparents; it could be your great-great-great-grandmother who lived 200 years ago after the founding of the United States.) If you have a loved one who recently passed, and if you are in the process of grieving, this is an opportunity to honor their lives and send your gratitude towards them.
If you need an emotional support, please talk to me or any other member whom you feel close.
During the service on March 22, our dharma teachers will recite the names you have submitted so that they may be included in our special Ancestor Appreciation Service.
If you are not yet a member and would like to learn more, please visit:
Or email us at info@rklabuddhistcenter.com, and our leader will be happy to contact you.
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