The Gomonshu is the spiritual head of our denomination based in Kyoto, Japan. The current Gomonshu is His Eminence Monshu Kojun Ohtani, the 25th-generation descendant of Shinran Shonin to head the Hongwanji. Here is his New Year’s message.
New Year’s Greeting
Happy New Year! At the beginning of the New Year, I would like to extend my warm regards to you all.
As in previous years, many people throughout the world have been affected by natural disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and forest fires. I would like to offer my deepest condolences to all who have perished in those calamities. I would also like to express my sympathies to those who are still coping with the dire situations. It is my sincere hope that all who have been affected will soon be able to return to normalcy.
In addition to the continuing Russian invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022, armed conflict in the Middle East since October 2023 has intensified, putting a toll on civilians. As Buddhists, let us embrace the words of Sakyamuni Buddha that “Everyone fears violence and is scared of death. In consideration of all life, do not kill and do not make others kill.”
We, as human beings who have received life in this world, shall have our human rights equally guaranteed regardless of reason, and must never have our lives threatened. However in reality, conflicts and terrorist attacks have occurred everywhere in the world and for many people, their right to live and exist has been threatened. As Buddhists as well as Nembutsu followers who aspire to achieve peace, we must keep seriously in our hearts the words of Sakyamuni Buddha as well as Shinran Shonin who aspired for a peaceful world in pursuing our endeavor of contributing toward world peace and security.
Through the Jodo Shinshu teaching, we are guided to appreciate Amida Buddha’s working that enables us to become aware of our true self. Being caught up in our self-centered thinking and desires, we are unable to accept the Universal Truth of dependent origination and impermanence, and that is why we constantly suffer from our human desires.
Unable to leave us in such a state, Amida Buddha continuously works to lead us to the Dharma. By regarding each individual as a fellow traveler following the same path being guided and embraced by Amida Buddha, we are enabled to respect and help each other while courageously coping with difficult social issues. Let us continue listening and appreciating Amida Buddha’s working as Buddhist followers while cherishing each and every day.
January 1, 2025
年頭の辞
新しい年のはじめにあたり、ご挨拶申し上げます。
昨年も世界各地で地震や洪水、山火事など様々な災害が起こり、多くの方が被災されました。災害によってお亡くなりになられたすべての方々に謹んで哀悼の意を表しますとともに、被災された皆さまに心よりお見舞い申し上げます。皆さまが一日も早く、日常の生活を取り戻されますことを願っております。
また、2022年2月に始まったロシア連邦によるウクライナ侵攻はいまだに続いており、2023年10月以来の中東における武力衝突でも多くの犠牲者が出ています。私たちは仏教徒として、「すべての者は暴力におびえ、すべての者は死をおそれる。己が身にひきくらべて、殺してはならぬ。殺さしめてはならぬ。」（『ダンマパダ』第129偈）というお釈迦様のお言葉を大切にいたしましょう。
この世に生を受けた私たちは、いかなる理由があろうとも等しく人権が保障され、命が脅かされるようなことがあってはなりません。しかし、現実には世界各地で紛争やテロが勃発し、また貧困や政治的・宗教的な対立により、生存の権利が脅かされている人々が数多くおられます。平和主義を掲げる仏教徒であり念仏者である私たちは、お釈迦様のお言葉を深く心に刻み、世の安穏を願われた親鸞聖人のお心を体して、国際社会の平和と安全に大きく貢献することが求められています。 浄土真宗のみ教えをいただく私たちは、阿弥陀さまのおはたらきによって、自分自身の真実の姿を知らされます。それは、自身の思いや欲望にとらわれ、お釈迦様が明らかにされた諸行無常や諸法無我といったこの世界の真実を、そのままに受け入れることができずに悩み苦しむ凡夫の姿です。
しかし、そのような私を救いの目当てとして阿弥陀様ははたらき続けて下さっています。私たちは等しく阿弥陀様から願われた者同士、互いに敬い合い助け合って、困難な社会の課題にも果敢に取り組んでいくことができます。本年も、阿弥陀さまのおはたらきを聞き、仏教徒として一日一日を大切に歩んでまいりましょう。
2025 年 1 月 1 日
浄土真宗本願寺派
門 主 大 谷 光 淳
See Also
2025 New Year’s Message from Bishop Toshiyuki Umitani
2025 New Year’s Message from President Warren Tamamoto