Some time last night or early this morning I awoke long enough to recognize that my son was walking out of my bedroom. Not expected but not surprising. I went back to sleep and awoke when my alarm went off at 5:30am.

This is a Sunday in which my local temple, the Sacramento Nichiren Buddhist Church, is not holding services. As an alternative, I planned to participate in the online service hosted by Rev. Ryusho Jeffus from Myosho-ji, Wonderful Voice Buddhist Temple, Charlotte, NC.

On these alternative Sundays, I rise early enough to do my recitation of the Lotus Sutra (32 Days of the Lotus Sutra) and then set up my computer in front of my altar and “attend” the Charlotte service, which is scheduled to begin at 7 am my time.

It was after the Charlotte service was over at 8:30 am that my wife came out and asked me what “that thing” was on my bedside table.

And that’s how I received the hand-carved rubber stamp mounted on a surplus USB charger and a personalized Father’s Day card.

This is not the first Buddhist-themed Father’s Day artwork. In 2010, my son offered this Human Revolution-themed framed drawing.

Having an artistic son, I have quite a collection of framed Father’s Day artwork. One of my favorites is this 2007 drawing, which I have on my home-office wall.

It is now after 10:30 am and my son is still sleeping. I’m promised a Father’s Day breakfast. When I do get to eat, I’ll ask my son where he got the idea to use the Nichiren Shu logo for the stamp. I was really surprised by both the gift and the thoughtfulness it represents.

I have the stamp and the card on my altar for now.