Our Sutra Recitation is Sound Healing

Kyohei Mikawa

Minister, RKLA Buddhist Center

January 25 was special for the RKLA sangha. Our dharma family member Savannah, together with teens Emma and Eka, took leadership for the first time in our annual mid-winter sutra recitation. Each of them did an excellent job, and the sangha was filled with joy and gratitude. We were also blessed to welcome a few persons who borrowed copies of the Threefold Lotus Sutra. After I handed them the remaining copies of the sutra, I realized that there were no extra copy was left for myself. When something unexpected happens, I try to take it to be a Buddha's invitation to discover something new in life. With this open mindset, I returned to the sanctuary, where the chanting continued, and quietly sat on a pew in the center without holding the Lotus Sutra in my hands. I silently allowed myself to immerse in the sound of chanting. What unfolded was powerful realization of the healing energy created by the sangha.

I was deeply moved by the experience of being surrounded by what felt like "360-degree chanting." As Savannah led Chapter 25 from the front of the room through the large screen, I heard Emma's chanting from my right. From my left came the voices and energies of Eddie, Leo, Belinda, and Endy, while in front of me I could see other dharma family members chanting together, including Eka striking the wooden block. All of sudden, a strong feeling of safety, awe and gratitude arose within me. My body felt lighter, as if something inside me was gently being healed. It was as though the chanting voice quietly lifted away a heaviness I hadn't even known I was carrying. In that moment, I felt complete peace. There was nothing to worry about, nothing to fix. There was just my bare self.

At the end of the service, our dharma teacher Mike, Eka's father, gave a heartwarming talk on the power of sangha. After this special sangha Sunday, Eka and Emma came up to me and said, "We have an idea of spreading the word about our sangha!" One hour later, they returned with a video and asked me to post it everywhere:

Watch Video

The most powerful sound healing event is just around the corner! On Feb 1, Sunday, 10AM, we will gather for chanting and reflection through the Japanese "Setsubun" event. During the service, a special incantation "dharani" will be recited, our artist friend Satsuki Shibuya will translate everyone's energy onto a large canvas through live paint during the recitation, I will speak about transforming emotional pain into seeds of awakening, and our children offer healing sounds with Buddhist bells. We will then share our famous $5 lunch. Will I have the blessing of seeing you that day? Please RSVP.

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