Tricycle's Three Teachings on Gratitude Includes Kenji Sensei’s

Our former Resident Minister, Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi, Retired, has once again been singled out by Tricycle Magazine, this time as part of its outreach on Thanksgiving Day.

His article, The Efforts of Others, was one of three articles distributed by email under the heading, “Three Teachings.”

The introduction in the email follows, with links to all three articles.

Three Teachings: Giving Thanks

November 28, 2024

Expressing Gratitude Every Day

The act of giving thanks shouldn’t be relegated to one day of the year, and in Buddhist practice, it isn’t. Gratitude, or appreciation, can be a starting point for practice, wherein we recognize our unique and fortunate position in the world, and endeavor to spend our time wisely—by meditating and living ethically.

Shin Buddhism goes even further, making gratitude the very orientation of practice. The nembutsu, the central Shin practice of reciting the Buddha’s name, is not a plea but an expression of gratitude. As Shin Buddhist minister Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi says, where many people associate the word prayer with the word please, the nembutsu is a thank you. Rev. Akahoshi describes gratitude as a gate or threshold to spiritual life that opens up the perception that our lives are already supported with compassion and wisdom—we just have to recognize it.

In Shin Buddhism as in other traditions, gratitude doesn’t negate or diminish suffering—grief or pain. We can express and embody gratitude while simultaneously acknowledging the real existence of suffering. They’re both motivators for practice.

This week’s Three Teachings offers three perspectives on gratitude and how to think about it every day.

A Precious Opportunity by H.E. 12th Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche

In a brief teaching, H.E. 12th Zurmang Gharwang Rinpoche, head of the Zurmang Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism, calls attention to how gratitude is a fundamental motivator for practice.

The Efforts of Others by Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi

Shin Buddhist minister Rev. Dr. Kenji Akahoshi explains how gratitude can be the opening gate to a deeper spiritual practice.

Why We Need Both Grief and Gratitude by Oren Jay Sofer

Meditation teacher Oren Jay Sofer explains that making space for all of our feelings is essential for finding a wise response to a complex world. “We need both the immense beauty and gratitude for blessings in life to keep us afloat, and the deep sadness and grief to urge us to action.

Congratulations to Kenji Sensei, as his publishing efforts have furthered the concept of gratitude among many Buddhist followers.

Note: Tricycle policy varies sometimes on specific articles, but at publication all three articles seemed to be freely available and did not require a subscription to access. Boldface was added to the text above to highlight references to our former minister and the Shin teachings.