Good evening!
Thank you very, very much for your coming here out of heavy snow storm, and from the opposite side of the globe to celebrate this auspicious occasion! Friends are true treasures. Finding the best friend is the best treasure.
When Ananda said, “Now I got it – Friends make a half of my life,” the Buddha said, “No, No, don’t say so Ananda, friends make the whole of our life.”
Yesterday, I visited the Muir Monument, where the tallest living beings, red woods stand high up to 400 feet. Their roots do down only about 10 feet, but spread wide making root networks, which support those tall trees.
Trees live longest, working with wind and water, the sun and stars. “Tree” shares the same etymological root with “true.” The truth of life is togetherness.
When we live together in true friendship, suffering becomes nothing; joy becomes limitless; life becomes limitless. Let us live in true friendship in limitless life, light, liberation and love!
(Rosan’s speech at his son’s wedding reception)