Spent Sunday at the Sacramento Nichiren Buddhist Church helping out with the annual church cleaning. Last year, when I called to find out what time the cleaning would be, the priest’s wife said, “Oh, we already finished.” This year I made sure the priest knew I _really_ wanted to help out. Apparently, it has been such a struggle to get members to show up to help that the task is generally left to the priest, his wife and their son.

And, of course, they didn’t wait for me. They were already well into the task of cleaning the altar area when I arrived at the appointed hour.

My principal task was dusting stuff that was not on the altar and polishing the brass fixtures. The brass bowls, vases and candle holders all have ornamental protective deities (four dog-like bits in the center of the top photo) that prevent evil spirits from climbing up and spoiling the offering. They have Japanese names but I didn’t really catch them.

While I polished, I watched Ven. Kenjo Igarashi work on the statues. He lit incense and then waved a calligraphy brush in the smoke before brushing off any dust. He began with Nichiren, then Kishimojin and finally Daikokuten. Nichiren’s back is decorated with the Odaimoku and other characters I didn’t recognize. The statue was sent from Japan to Sacramento in 1936. Rev. Igarashi explained that Daikokuten’s back has text from the Lotus Sutra written on it.

Afterward, Rev. Igarashi and I were served sweet bean soup with mochi, a first for me. I realize it may be traditional, but it always bothers me that Mrs. Igarashi and her son don’t eat with church members.