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ON E N E S SWinter 1998IS YOUR SWITCH ON?By Ven. Gyomay M. KuboseWhen the switch is on, currentflows; it lights up a room or turnsa motor. No matter how good themotor may be and how large alamp may be, unless the switchis on, the devices are useless.They are lifeless.Air is filled with sound wavesof good lectures, music and pic-tures, but unless you have a re-ceiving set, you do not receivethem. Even though you have aperfect radio and television set,unless you turn on the switchnothing happens. There is nomusic and no picture. Turning onthe switch is very important. Soin life, to turn on the switch inone’s own life is essential for aworthwhile and truly joyous life.We want to live and not merelyexist. To live means a meaning-ful, worthwhile and joyous life andnot just physically existing. Weeat, sleep and work, but unlesswe turn the switch on in our lives,moving about. Work and movingabout are two different things.When one works, he has a pur-pose or meaning in what he isdoing; so he puts his life into it.Therefore, every work is an ac-complishment, a fulfillment, andit is a joy. However, on the con-trary, if one works without a pur-pose or willingness, his work isnot work. It is lifeless and itamounts to just moving about.A wire with current is called alive wire. Many so-called poemsare mere words which are beau-tifully arranged, but some truepoems have life in them. They areliving and touch the hearts ofpeople. This is true in calligraphy,paintings, and also in meetingsand gatherings. Some meetingsare said to be dead becausenothing interesting is being dis-cussed and there is no vital con-cern about life.When one falls in love, lifetakes on a new meaning. Hiswhole life becomes alive; in fact,the whole world becomes alive.It is the same when one discov-ers himself; that is to say, whenhe finds what he really wants todo or discovers something forwhich he wants to dedicate hising and becomes very muchalive.When we start to see light, thewhole world becomes bright andthe light shines upon us. Eachday is not mere passing of an-other day, but is significant andmeaningful, a most worthy andplishment and thankfulness.Coming EventsvAnnual New Year’s Eve partyon December 31. Everyone isinvited. See announcement onpage 3.vTi Sarana (Three Treasures)Confirmation Ceremony isopen to all persons who wish todhist name.gives further information fromthe Book Information / OrderForm in this issue.vRiver of Fire / River of Water,a new book by Taitetsu Unno. Abook review and discussionclass are planned for Spring,1999. Details to come in nextissue.

Universal Teachings For Everyday Living Page 1

Quarterly Newsletter of the Rev. Gyomay M. Kubose Dharma Legacy Vol. 2 No. 4

we will merely be existing and just

life. Then his life has some mean-

reverent day. It is a day of accom-

confirm their religious identity as

Buddhists and to receive a Bud-

You can request a brochure that