About the Murals
(Copied  from the Mural Painting Booklet published by Los Angeles Hompa Hongwanji Buddhist Temple. All photos for this publication taken by Toyo Miyatake.)

In January 1969, a letter of inquiry was received from Dr. Ryogon Fukuhara of Ryukoku University in Japan as to the possibility of placing a mural wall painting in the new Betsuin Temple that was in the process of being constructed. Accompanying the letter was a letter of introduction to Japanese painter, Mr. Hideya Chiji of Kaizuka city in Japan who had expressed his desire to undertake the task of painting the life of Shakyamuni Buddha. However, the Betsuin Temple at that time was faced with financial problem of how to meet the deficit cost in the construction of the temple. So naturally their reply was because of these reasons they felt they could not undertake such a costly project at this time.

Dr. Ryogon Fukuhara then enlightened the Betsuin further as to the true intentions of Mr. Hideya Chiji by saying that the painter was a self-sacrif icing individual and he had previously undertaken such a similar painting project at a Japanese Temple in Bombay, India. The project had taken him three years to complete and the entire cost was borne by him. When completed he presented the painting gratis to the Japanese temple. In this same spirit he desired to undertake this project and his one wish was to place on the canvas the true spirit of a life of an artist. The Betsuin upon receiving the summary of his intentions had the matter placed the Board of Directors for approval. The Board of Directors approved the project unanimously and Mr. Chiji and his son Yasuhiro arrived in Los Angeles, a day after the formal dedication of the new temple on November 17, 1969.

From that day the work of mural painting continued with the spirit of wishing to serve the Betsuin. Mr. Chiji and his son opened each working day by copying a part of th6 Buddhist scripture with the Japanese brush. This was the traditional way of purification by which one's mind and body is brought into a perfect concentration, before undertaking the work. Finally after one and half years of work he completed the work of bringing on canvas, beautifully in color, the Life of Buddha. The mural painting will cover the entire wall in the Hondo and will stand out beautifully for a long time.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Mr. Hideya Chiji and his son, Yasuhiro, for their wonderful mural painting which has made the Betsuin Hondo a spiritual center where the Buddhist in America, who are daily blessed in the blessings of the Original Vow of Amida Buddha, will see clearly with their spiritual eyes the greatness of Shakyamuni Buddha through the mural paintings created by Mr. Hideya Chiji.

Since the publication of mural painting at the Los Augeles Buddhist Temple booklet has been completed may I take this opportunity in thanking our Betsuin members and friends who helped out irl this publication and also to our printers in Japan for the work well done. I hope that this mural painting in Betsuin will continue to inspire the people in America just as the one in Horyuji in Japan.

BY REVEREND RYUEI MASUOKA RINBAN

MURAL PAINTING AND I

By HIDEYA CHIJI

The inner and external causes and conditions which bring forth certain effects do work in a strange way especially to us who are living within the bounds of the time and space. It is beyond our prediction. It was such an inconceivable occurrence that my services while in Bombay, India and research in India, have brought me the opportunity of working on this mural painting project here in Los Angeles Betsuin. This Butsuen (Cause and Effect) which has brought me here is strange indeed and one I cannot comprehend.

While I was painting in Bombay, Mr. Tsunesaburo Nakayama who was once assistant district manager of the Bank of Tokyo in Bombay and who was appointed to the post of branch manager of Bank of Tokyo, Los Angeles, California, in February 1968, informed me of the new Nishi Hongwanji Betsuin being constructed in Los Angeles. Following this, Dr. Ryogon Fukuhara of the Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan, introduced me, through a letter, to Rinban Ryuei Masuoka, head minister of the Nishi Hongwanji Betsuin and to the Board of Directors.

On September 8, by air mail I received an official letter an offer to take charge of the mural painting for the new Betsuin from Rinban Masuoka and Mr. Eiju Sasajima, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Los Angeles Betsuin.

I realized that I could not take on such a tremendous project all by myself for it was beyond my means and power. Immediately, I held a personal art exhibit in Japan and with the help of my friends and supporters I was able to make preparations for this huge undertaking. Accompanied by my son, Yasuhiro, I left Yokohama for Los Angeles by ship and arrived at Los Angeles on 17th of November.

Upon arrival, l paid my respects to the Hondo of the new temple and my thoughts at that time was how I was going to put on the wall of the Hondo the 80 years of the biography of the life of Buddha. I spent endless nights figuring out which part of his life would be depicted on the canvas. The choice has to be made from his life of 80 years and as to the composition in color on the canvas. Thanks to the well wishes and encouragement of my friends and supporters both here and in Japan since my arrival I have been able to within the one year and half carry out my assigned work on time. During this period I have been bestowed the honor of conducting Japanese Brush Painting classes as both Culver City and here at the Betsuin as well personal art exhibits last year.

Three years have passed since I first started on this project and I am truly happy to have come into contact with numerous blessings too many to mention. The blessings of the Buddha and the merits and protection of the various people. Without any serious mishaps on my part and being healthy and free from sickness for the entire period I have been able to complete this work as desired by the temple, For these and all of the blessings and well wishes of my friends here in America and well as supporters in Japan I am eternally grateful and I wish to express my appreciation to everyone

Gassho,