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TI: So Reverend Yamashita, we've gone through starting from Auburn, Washington, and your life is just amazing. You've had so many different experiences that you've shared with me this afternoon. Are there any last or reflections or thoughts about your life and what's important? I mean, you've, you've lived such a rich life and seen so many different things. What, in your mind, would you like to end with in terms of any reflections or any thoughts?

KY: I have been most fortunate, very, extremely lucky. And I'm most grateful, most grateful. Not only for this long life, I didn't expect to live to ninety or anything like that, but I'm extremely grateful for this long life, and the opportunity to work for and add even a little bit for the promotion of spreading Buddhist religion, in particular, Jodo Shinshu, Pure Land Sect. I'm most grateful for that, and for all of the circumstances and opportunities, conditions that enabled me to do this. In other words, each person has a karma that allows them to do certain things, and it runs throughout their life. And in mine, I consider myself extremely fortunate to be able to do this. I never really, I never really was unemployed in all my life. One thing led to another. Conditions, circumstances, karma enabled me to go through life this way. In relatively good health, I'm doing this at the age of ninety. My doctor was kidding about, "Hey, we got to learn how you live so long." [Laughs] So I said, "I've got a bad heart." "Don't worry, you've been lucky." He didn't say "lucky." "I'd sure like to know so I can tell my other patients how to live to be ninety." [Laughs] Anyway, I am indeed grateful for all of the conditions, circumstances, all the friends, this opportunity. So I'm grateful for the community, all the services, medical, health, all the insurances and benefits and medicine. I'm extremely grateful. So from the bottom of my heart, I consider myself really fortunate. Really fortunate that I've been able to believe in Buddhism, being able to help to promote it, propagate it, and I certainly wish everybody could be able to live the type of life that I've been blessed with, live long life, that is, and in good health. So to live in good health, you've got to observe the healthy methods of living, like always teach, promote, TV and health experts and so on. In other words, don't eat Big Macs and so on, but eat some healthy food. Eat fish like the Japanese do, or Okinawans, the most long-lived people on earth. Anyway, live a life where you could laugh easy. Don't get mad. Be patient. I think that's most important, to be grateful. Grateful that you're living this life and being able to really not worry much. Do your best, live for your fellow men and live in peace, happiness. And don't overwork. Be able to relax and laugh, not monku, monku, monku, complain, complain, complain. It's easy to complain. Easy to see the bad side, negative side. So I say "accentuate the positive," the good things. Be grateful what's happening to you.

TI: Very good. Well, thank you so much for spending the afternoon with us to share your story.

KY: Oh, you're most welcome. If my life could help others understand and appreciate their own life, I'd be extremely grateful.

TI: Very good. Thank you.

<End Segment 29> - Copyright (c) 2009 Densho. All Rights Reserved.