mach

Dear all,

I visited with Mach, his family and extended family which included, her royal highness(of course I only saw her from a distance).

Saturday night (September 2, Saturday) was the last night of the nightly service. Everynight, relatives and friends convened to pay their respects. We heard sermons for close to an hour and visitors began to return home. I found my moment to approach Mach’s coffin and the small buddha temple. I then began my ritual. I bowed to the miniature temple and then knelt before it. I knew from that moment that I was connected with Mach. With my hands before my knees I touched the ground to bow to him. I said “hello, Mach”. I straightened my back so that I faced the buddha statue and put my hands together to pray. I was already in tears. I couldn’t hold it back. I prayed. I only wished that he were still with us.

I wished I didn’t cry. Mach’s parents noticed and began to comfort me. My regret is that I hoped that I could comfort them. Instead, they comforted me. They were so brave, kind and understanding. Mach’s mother said to me that they all felt the same. She was telling me that it was all right.

The next morning (September 3, Sunday) was the funeral. I awoke to a gorgeous day that only Mach could have ordered like he would his sushi. A blue sky with just enough white clouds to put an accent to an otherwise dull blue sky. I knew Mach was waiting.

It was 9:30 when I reached the temple, which I believe is reserved for those that are close to the royal family. Mach occupied the largest building of them. The prayers began at 10:00. There was quite a bit of movement which I did not understand. Before noon, the prayers stopped. It was time for the monks to have their lunch. They only get to eat each day around noon and dinner time, I think. After the monks ate we all moved Mach’s coffin to the cremation area.

The cremation area is a beautiful architecture in itself. Stairs that
lead to a temporary holding place and then deeper inside to the incinerator. We circled the building three times and then Mach was in place. It was wicked hot. I’m sure Mach was complaining about the heat.

We all moved back to the original building for lunch and conversation. At two o’clock we all moved out to prepare to reunite again at 5pm for the final ceremony.

It was hot no doubt. I felt like I was taking a shower with my suit and necktie on. We were waiting for the dignitaries and the royal highness to arrive. When her royal highness arrived you felt the air change. As she made her way to center we all stood up. The men bowed and the women courtsied. After a moment, her royal highness walked up to Mach, prayed and laid own her flower. She returned to the center and Mach’s family approached her. Her royal higness probably conveyed her sorrow to them. She smiled at Mach’s brother’s children who were adorable, but oblivious to what was happening.

As they conversed, the rest of us began to proceed to Mach’s coffin to pray and throw a small flower to him. I thought that would be my last goodbye, but while they prepared the cremation, we were allowed to one more time throw a flower that burned in the fire next to his coffin. I stood as long as I could to see the flame. However, with so many people, I moved out of the way for others.

I returned to my seat to see Mach rise above. At that moment, I knew he was gone to live in the next world where he would await us.

The closest I got was to touch his coffin. That in itself was comforting.

I’m sure Mach heard all your names through my prayer. I understand that the New York memorial will be at the end of September.

Thanks for taking the time read this message.

Tommy Aoki