The practice of ‘o-mimai ‘ as an Expression of Caring

(PHOTO CREDIT: Matthew Thayer / The Maui News / Associated Press)

As the impact of the wildfires on Maui becomes clearer each day, the all-too-human response is to become overwhelmed emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually, to be frozen into the anxiety of inaction.

We are horrified, our rational minds are filled with images of destruction and anguish. Our compassionate hearts go out to so many people who have lost so much.

We want to help but “what can I do?”

In this single thought-moment our helplessness forces us to confront our limitations as ordinary human beings compelled to want to help, to do more.

The Japanese tradition of o-mimai gives a path forward.

O-mimai can be translated as “honorific expression of caring” to people who have experienced loss, grief, sadness, illness, or the pain of not knowing, especially in the aftermath of a disaster.

Our compassionate hearts fill with sadness at the suffering of so many people, some of whom we may know personally and countless people we have never met and will never meet. 

“What can I do?”

Our rational mind knows that, born human, we are simply grains of sand on the beach with waves of impermanence crashing down on us.

“What can I do?”

The Japanese tradition of o-mimai guides us to making the effort to express our caring. 

The key insight of o-mimai is the expression of caring brings our compassionate hearts and rational minds back into balance because we re-connect with people in our lives.

In this re-connection, we truly experience the inter-connectedness of all life, the Truth of Non-Self “it’s not about ME (my ego),” and the preciousness of this unrepeatable life and of all life.

The act of expressing our caring offers hope for people in suffering because if you’ve lost everything, knowing people care about you can be the first step toward rebuilding one’s life.

When you feel overwhelmed by “what can I do?”

—reach out and show people in your unrepeatable life you care

—give your ‘ohana loved ones a big hug every time you see them

—say “aloha” with kind eyes to everyone you encounter today

—gather the ‘ohana extended family together to share a meal and talk story

—just say NamoAmidaButsu! in joy and gratitude for this unrepeatable life

All of these actions are “what I can do” today, right here, right now!

In the Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji tradition of living Buddhism in everyday life, we express our joy and gratitude for this unrepeatable life and our connection with all life by putting our palms together in gasshō, bowing our heads, and saying Namo Amida Butsu, Namo Amida Buddha, taking refuge in all-inclusive Wisdom and all-embracing Compassion. 

NamoAmidaButsu!