The radiant light, unhindered and inconceivable, eradicates suffering and brings realization of joy; the excellent Name, perfectly embodying all practices, eliminates obstacles and dispels doubt. This is the teaching and practice for our latter age; devote yourself solely to it. It is eye and limb in this defiled world; do not fail to endeavor in it. Accepting and living the supreme, universal Vow, then, abandon the defiled and aspire for the pure. Reverently embracing the Tathagata's teaching, respond in gratitude to his benevolence and be thankful for his compassion.

~ Shinran Shonin, Passages on the Pure Land Way

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

The Nature of the Vow



“The nature of the bow is to send the arrow to the target...”

(The nature of the Vow is to take beings to the Pure Land.)

“Don’t fight the bow…”

(Don’t resist the Vow.)

“Relax.”

(Namo Amida Butsu.)


Thoughts during a kyudo session at Yokohama Budokan, November 21, 2015.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

The Glorious Manifestations of the Pure Land

Larger Sutra Mandala, Central Panel
(http://www.euroshinshu.org/www12.canvas.ne.jp/horai/dai-cc.htm)

What is the difference between the forms that we perceive in this Saha world (our unenlightened lives) and the forms that are manifested in Amida's country, His Fulfilled Land of Nirvana (enlightenment)? The difference lies in their foundational basis or origin.

The foundation of the forms in the Pure Land rests upon the prajna (wisdom) and true compassion that Bhiksu Dharmakara realized when he made his firm and resolute Vows in the Buddha’s presence. Because the cause (Vow-Power) is pure, the result (Pure Land) is likewise pure. These forms exist beyond birth-and-death, and are therefore referred to as “uncreated”; they are produced by the power of Amida's Vows, and are therefore termed “adornments.” Thus, the forms in the Pure Land have the ability to impart the truths of the Buddhist Law, including emptiness, wisdom, and so on up to the highest wisdom of the Mahayana, as described in the Larger Sutra. Master T’an-luan states, “The Pure Land of happiness is sustained by the power of the good of Amida, the perfectly enlightened” (Kyogyoshinsho IV: 7).

On the contrary, the forms that we perceive in this Saha world as bombu (foolish or unenlightened beings) are the result of our evil karma and sustained by our discriminating minds, which are fueled by the three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance. They are not sustained by any kind of good, let alone the pure merits of Amida. Consequently, they generally produce attachment, craving, and suffering (Sanskrit: duḥkha) rather than nonattachment, liberation, and bliss (Sanskrit: sukha).

Since the Pure Land is the result of Amida's pure Vows, it goes without saying that we cannot be born there by any actions of mind, body, or speech that we might undertake based on our inverted minds. As Genshin says, “Delusion is the nature of ordinary beings. Apart from delusion, there is no mind in us” (Yokawa Hogo). Likewise Rennyo Shonin, the 8th Monshu of our Hongwanji tradition, expressed this thought very succinctly in the following poem, written in 1472 on the day of his mother’s memorial:

How helpless I am,
Lacking in a sincere heart!
What state of existence
Do I deserve?

Since we lack even the sincerity to properly believe in or entrust ourselves to Amida, how can we possibly be born in the Pure Land? Indeed, we can only be born there through the power of the Primal Vow itself, which is also the power of Amida’s Name, Namo Amida Butsu. By truly hearing this sacred Name and understanding its profound significance, we accept Amida's Bodhi-mind directed to us in the two-fold realization of deep faith, as taught by Zendo Daishi (Shan-tao). This means to recognize on the one hand that one is a sinful being, an icchantika, drifting on the tide of samsara with no hope of liberation, totally lacking the “seeds of Buddhahood.” At the same time, it means to believe that Amida's Vow takes as its principal object just such helpless and lost beings as this. These two phases are inseparable elements of one-and-the-same “true faith” (shinjitsu shinjin), which does not arise out of calculation or introspection based on self-power (jiriki). It is, from beginning to end, the gift of Amida.

It goes without saying that one cannot encounter this Vow or hear the Name without a stock of merit from the past. If you have the opportunity to listen to this Dharma, and are thereby enabled to accept the true faith, you should rejoice at the guidance of Shakyamuni and the other buddhas and bodhisattvas who have led you to it. The genuine shinjin is not easy to come by; rather, it is the “most difficult of all difficulties,” and would be altogether impossible were it not for the support of Buddha-centered power (tariki).

Having once received this precious gift, we become partakers in the supreme benefits that attend shinjin in both this life and the life to come. The Name, which is the source of our faith, now becomes its verbal expression in the recitation of nembutsu, which we joyfully repeat in grateful response to the Tathagata’s mercy. Thus we enter the world of salvation in which our enlightenment is absolutely assured, and sailing aboard the ark of the Vow, are ferried across the river of birth-and-death to the Other Shore of Nirvana.

August 22, 2015

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

The Raft of the Vow

Amida Tathagata is absolutely trustworthy;
His Primal Vow is entirely dependable.
In the sacred Name given to us,
We find the confirmation of our Birth.

Why are you still not convinced?
Give up all your calculative notions--
Your supposed faith, aspiration, and practice.
These are the products of your foolish mind;
They are one and all tainted by self-power,
And are not “true and real” by any means.
Simply entrust yourself to the raft of the Vow!
It will carry you to the Other Shore without fail.

You doubt your Birth because you are ignorant
Of the inconceivable Primal Vow-power;
To understand the Name in six characters
Is to know that Birth is completely settled.

“Peace of mind through hearing the Name”
Is the incomparable teaching of Shinshu.

Our Parent is calling with open arms;
Why do you linger in this burning house?
Pass through the great thousandfold world
And be forever free from birth-and-death!
Once you are safe in the enfolding Light,
The Nembutsu will naturally pour forth.
Oh, how marvelous this is! How wonderful!
True shinjin is the diamond-like Mind;
Our recitation is the echo of His Call.

NAMANDABUTSU, NAMANDABUTSU.


Lines composed on August 11, 2015, at around 7:30 in the morning.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Listening

NOTE: The following verses came to me in a moment of inspiration after reading the late Rev. Zuiken Inagaki's essays on the blog Diamondlike Shinjin, maintained by Mr. Melvin Lim. Since they still convey my eternal gratitude for the teaching of Zuiken-sama, as well as for spiritual friendship of likeminded fellow-travelers, I reproduce them here exactly as they were first composed. Gassho

Don't listen to human beings,
Whether they mean well or no.

Don't listen to sages,

Don't listen to philosophers,

Don't listen to devas or maras.
Don't listen to your mind!

Your mind is impure,

Led about by a multitude of thoughts.

Don't listen to your heart!

Your heart is passionate,

Led about by a multitude of feelings.

Only listen to the words of the Buddha,

The wonderful Dharma,

Perfect all through,

Pure to its depths.

If you listen carefully, humbly, quietly,

You will hear the Voice that is calling unceasingly,

Calling to you in particular,

Calling to you alone.

"Come to me, beloved child, I will save you.

"I have gone through fire and water to rescue you
;
"I have given up all my possessions,

"Even my own body,

"All for your sake.

"Why do you linger? Why delay?

"Come into the arms of your Parent,

"NAMU AMIDA BUTSU!"

When you have truly heard well,

And understood deep down that you are lost,

Without hope in the dark night of birth-and-death,

Then you will know with certainty

That Amida Buddha grasps you forever.

Then will come joy with tears,

And genuine Faith from the Buddha's mind,

Indestructible as diamond,

Bright and unchanging.

Then you will live the rest of your life,

Whether long or short,

In gratitude and praise,

A white lotus of the Nembutsu,

Unstained by the mud of the world.

No matter how evil your deeds

In the three modes of action --

Mind, body, or speech --

Your true Father will not neglect you,

Your true Mother will not forsake you.

You will be born in the Land of Utmost Bliss,

As surely as the cherry blossom in the spring.


February 26, 2013

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Amida's Protection is Real

"We can live a peaceful and unshaken life if we are aware that we are protected by Buddhas, Tathagatas, and enfolded in love and compassion of various holy ones." —Zuiken

Since Amida Buddha is true and real, it goes without saying that His daily protection is likewise true and real. Indeed, our compassionate Parent is altogether dependable and worthy of trust. So we don't need to be afraid of spiritual obstacles, whether internal (blind passions) or external (maras). We are secure in the protection of Amida's Light, which grasps and embraces us at all times and in all places. This is one of the 10 benefits in the present life of a true disciple of Shakyamuni, enabling us to live a life that is illuminated through and through by Great Compassion.

NAMO AMIDA BUTSU

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

 
如来常住 法常住 変らぬ親の 大悲心
 
Tathagata is eternally dwelling;
Dharmas are eternally abiding;
Our Parent's Great Compassion never changes.
 
Master Zuiken (1885-1981)
 

Friday, May 15, 2015

Sole Reliance


For one who solely relies on Amida,
The Other Shore draws nearer
With every breath.

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Hanamatsuri 2015


"Monks, there is one person whose birth into this world is for the welfare and happiness of many, out of compassion for the world, for the gain and welfare and happiness of gods and humanity. Who is this one person? It is the Tathagata, who is a Worthy One, a Fully Enlightened One."
~ Anguttara Nikaya ~
 
Over 2,500 years ago, there arose in this world the greatest of two-footed beings ever to walk upon the earth. This "lion among men" was the Buddha Shakyamuni. By realizing the highest, perfect enlightenment, He awakened to the ultimate Truth, and through His teachings (the Buddha-Dharma) He shared this Truth with everyone who was ready to hear and willing to listen. By proclaiming widely the great Original Vow of Amitabha, He opened the path to emancipation for all, regardless of condition or ability. Therefore, today we remember with gratitude and celebrate with joy the auspicious birth of the Great Sage, our true teacher, guide, and friend.
 
I take refuge in the Buddha.
I take refuge in the Dharma.
I take refuge in the Sangha.
 

Friday, March 27, 2015

No Fear

Reciting the Nembutsu,
I leave life and death in the hands
Of the Master of life and death.
 
 
February 14, 2015
 

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Lotus Bud

 
my life
my faith
my salvation
my peace of mind
my spiritual comfort
my indestructible joy
are all contained in
six characters
NA
MO
A
MI
DA
BUTSU



February 20, 2015

Friday, February 20, 2015

Verses in Praise of the Buddha-Dharma

The Tathagata, the Thus-Come One,
Our Father of great compassion,
Who loves each and every being
Like an only son or daughter,
Is with you, now and always!
 
The Buddha-Dharma will never let you down;
It is the supreme treasury of teachings.
It stops the courses of defilement
That lead to the evil realms,
And opens the gate to the good realms.
It purifies all thoughts.
It shows the way to Nirvana,
Freedom from birth-and-death for all.
 
The Buddha-Dharma is the teaching of Shakyamuni,
The Great Sage, the World Hero,
The One Most Honored in heaven and earth.
It is the word of the Buddha,
His True Body, and the fruition of his vows,
Weighty and vast.
 
All the excellent Dharma-gates taught by the Buddha
Lead to Nirvana without exception.
Though within His teachings are found
Both provisional and true,
Whether simple or abstruse,
Whether easy or profound,
They all, without exception, bring benefit to living beings.
Entrust yourself to the Buddha's words alone,
And don't listen to the opinions and views of unenlightened men.
 
The Dharma is the precious medicine
That cures all illnesses,
And the Buddha is the skillful Physician.
Therefore, we must accept his teachings
And follow them just as He prescribed.
 
The Buddha-Dharma is like the wish-granting jewel,
Bringing the aspirations of all to fulfillment.
Never tire of listening to it!
Like pure gold, the more you test it,
The brighter it shows itself,
Without any impurity or stain.
 
To truly hear with your heart
The Buddha's teaching
To believe and obey it,
Much learning is not required,
Nor great intelligence.
The longer I listen to the Dharma,
The more I realize how little I know.
But at the same time I understand
That there is no need to "know" it all.
One thing is enough: the Nembutsu.
 
Single-mindedness is everything.
Without repentance, faith, and humility,
It is impossible to understand
The Heart of the Buddha.
 
NAMO AMIDA BUTSU
 
 
January 10, 2015

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Hear Now!

Yama, the King of Death, is near you at all times;
At the moment determined, he will stand before you.
 
Our hours are filled with endless toil and worry;
If you aren’t able to listen to the Dharma today,
When will you find the time to listen to it?
 
Our life as a human being is all too short a span;
If you don't hear the sacred Name in this lifetime,
When will you get another chance to hear it?
 
Even though I am neglectful, and do not listen,
The graceful Light of compassion brightens my path.
 
Even though I am deaf, and cannot hear,
Amida-sama takes my hand, and walks beside me.
 
NAMO AMIDA BUTSU
 
 
February 14, 2015

Saturday, January 10, 2015

The Assurance of Birth

 
There is as great a difference as that between heaven and earth between those in accord with the purport of the Original Prayer who speak of "attaining birth in the Pure Land before losing one’s body" and those in discord who speak of "attaining birth after losing one's body". 
 
—Kakunyo Shōnin, Notes on Oral Transmission (Kudenshō)
 
 
In other traditions of Pure Land Buddhism, the practitioner is encouraged to undertake recitation of Amida Buddha's Name in the hope that he or she will be born in the Pure Land after death through its unsurpassed and innumerable merits. In the True Pure Land School (Jōdo Shinshū) founded by Shinran Shōnin, however, this wondrous Birth is attained in the midst of ordinary life. Needless to say, we are not actually enlightened nor do we become buddhas in our present existence; rather, we are absolutely assured of being born in the Pure Land through the power of Amida Buddha's Original (18th) Vow. When we hear the Name and realize the one thought-moment of true entrusting (shinjin), which is Amida's pure mind given to us, we are "grasped by Amida, never to be abandoned" and our birth is settled at that time. Nothing which follows after may shake or alter our conviction that we will indeed realize Nirvana in the Pure Land when life comes to a close. This is the unique and original contribution of Jodo Shinshu to the world, and is the basis on which authentic and indestructible peace of mind rests. It gives us the strength to live our lives boldly and confidently, knowing that whatever karmic winds may arise to trouble us, our hearts always dwell in the lotus-held world of Amida's perfect enlightenment.
 
 
Due to the Vow promising our unfailing attainment of birth,
Time for awakening Pure, Joyful Faith being ripe,
We come to rejoice even once (in Amida's salvation);
Then our birth is definitely assured. 
 
—Shinran Shōnin, Pure Land Hymns (Jōdo Wasan)