At the Pure Land Buddhism Temple of Hongan, monks change into a different set of clothes twice a year on the first of June and the first of October. When changing into her new season’s clothes, the grandmother of Komyoji Temple (actually the chief priest’s mother) always says, “Looks like I get to do this again this year” in a graceful tone, reflecting both on the flow of time and on the turn of the season. It is important to express gratitude at the changing of the seasons. Only those who do this truly know how to achieve closure in their feelings.
