The Vietnamese temple near their home where Koji and his family also attended (his wife is Vietnamese) had their Ceremony for Koji. This is the Altar there ... 
Gassho, J
stlah
Gassho, J
stlah
-
-
It has been hard to come to terms with losing my Dharma brother Kojitsu. It was a special thing to talk with him about the challenges of not being able to participate in life the way we had hoped because of illness and the appreciation we had for being able to take a deep dive into Zen through TreeLeaf. We also talked about our gratitude for our families and being able to do what we can for the benefit of others.
I've tried to think of a way to honor him, but I think that for me it is in simply appreciating my ability to see those that I love and to participate in priest training. I was looking through my text exchanges with him and I found an exchange from a few months ago when he was in the hospital that I would like to share as I think it shows where he was at in terms of his illness and acceptance of what is. It gives a glimpse into his world and what was important to him. I think he would have been fine with me sharing it.
Me: How are you holding up? Breathing improved at all? Heard about your dad. You did a good thing for him at his end. Sorry to hear that folks on that side are being challenging.
Koji: Yeah, people are going to be people ????♂️Thanks for checking, I appreciate it. Breathing much better today
Me: That's great. Do they have an idea about when you'll be discharged?
Kofi: Hopefully this weekend, but I’m always suspicious of that. hehe
Me: Almost always have to wait in a weekend
Koji: The wife loves it, I’m monitored 24/7 so she doesn’t have to worry as much
Me: Yes, don't want to go home too early and be a mess
Koji: Son hates it when I’m not home though. They come see me though every day and he lays in the bed with me and hugs me.
Me: Yeah, I'll bet he misses you. I'm guessing he's a big inspiration to keep pushing forward despite feeling awful.
Koji: He is definitely that. My wife and I have gone through all our options just in case it’s too hard for me. So we are prepared
Me: That's some hard conversations to have, but so important.
Koji: It’s harder on my wife than me, I’ve already died twice, almost 3, and I got to say, was pretty peaceful. The long zazen
Me: We all do have to go through that door at some point. It's tough to say if later is really better than sooner given how short our lives are compared to the universe. I'm naturally hoping for as long as possible, but it will still go by quick. At my sickest moments I was ok with walking through that door if it was time.
Koji: Oh yeah, I’ve been there as well, I hang around for my wonderful family. Otherwise it would be a hard sell on going on.
Me: Yes, being a dad and husband is important. We can do a lot to help them.
Koji: My son is growing up to be the best little guy ever, if I ever did something right with my life, it would be that.
Gassho,
Koriki
s@lahComment
-
There is now a video posted of the beautiful Chanting service for Kojitsu at their family temple, Chùa Đông Hưng- Buddhist Education Center in Virginia ...
If problem viewing, toggle to full screen or go to this link: LINK
Gassho, J
stlahLast edited by Jundo; 10-17-2025, 11:48 PM.ALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLEComment
-
Here is where Koji's photo sits in our Zendo, between the Heart Sutra and Kannon Bodhisattva ...
.TAI 01 Cover.jpgTAI 02 AI plus other tech.jpg
And the words he wrote Koriki while in hospital ...
.
I’ve already died twice, almost 3, and I got to say, was pretty peaceful. The long zazen
Gassho, J
stlahALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLEComment
-
Tricycle published Koji's essay ...
Gassho, J
stlahALL OF LIFE IS OUR TEMPLEComment
Comment