"Today, at last, I could receive the proper-right okesa, properly made. I don't think-I don't think it is too late for me to receive this okesa. I don't think so. I'm still think I am very lucky to receive it, you know. You may think "He is-" you know, "We thought he is a great Zen master, but he just received okesa today." [Laughs.] You may think you-you are fooled by me. But, you know, my spirit is always aiming at one thing-one truth, which can be true with everyone: layman and priest, Japanese and American, and Indian people and European nation. We are in just one truth. That is why I always say it is not so easy thing to achieve Buddha's way. It cannot be so easy as long as our cultural background is different, as long as our way of life is different, our language is different, it cannot be so easy.
But there is something which all of us aim at. The okesa is the symbol of that oneness-the expression of this, you know, one goal, one spirit. Maybe even though I receive okesa right now, even though I shave my head long, long time ago, I must shave my head again and again. Even though I received ordination long, long time ago, but still it is necessary to receive okesa. Many and many a times [1 word unclear] this kind of sincere practice, as long as you are-you do not lose the sincerity or way-seeking mind for the ultimate goal of human being, then every time you do something, that practice will enrich your experience of dharma and strength-make your spirit stronger and stronger. And you will be really a good example of bodhisattva."
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