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Last night on the news I heard a terrible story of how a man killed a John & Joy Ward, their 14 year old daughter Sarah and a second child was left in critical condition, after he crashed in to them because of inattentive driving. I went to DelawareOnline and read what was available on the story. I was left asking myself, "what do they mean by inattentive? Was the driver text messaging? Was he changing the radio station? Was he talking to his girlfriend on the phone?" Just to say "inattentive," is so vague.

In reading the story, I had the feeling of an ocean wave, hitting the shore and erasing a sand castle. It hurt to think about what had happened only 20 minutes from my house. One moment really can change every thing. One moment can really change every thing. One moment can really change every thing, between the time that we shut our eyes and then re-open them. Impermanence.

At "Great Plum Mountain - Listening to the Dharma" Zen Temple in Seattle, Washington - regularly there is chanting and dedications made to the deceased. In particular it's said;

"One stream of a valley
Pours the ambrosial nectar
Then thousand peaks of pine
Strike the Dharma Drum.

On this 24th Day of August 2009
Offering incense and pure water
(or just a warm, open-hearted, loving thought)
With Dai Segaki chanking
Let us dedicate to John, Joy and Sara Ward

All know and unknown decease Dharma
brothers and sisters.

May the Sun of wisdom shine
brighter and brighter,

And may we all cease wandering
In the darkness of ignorance.

Let True Dharma continue
Universal Sangha Relations
Become Complete."

In closing today I strong chant and pray that the Ward's 8 year old daughter completely as possible lives and heals. She deserves This life, she has earned It. We practice Zen so that there is more kindness, love and compassion in the world, not less. We make our best effort, even when we may not think we have it, because there is nothing else we can do. We cannot afford to be inattentive to This life or This moment.

Namu Dai Bosa,

Jaye Seiho Morris, Curator
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