Jodo Shinshu Buddhism
In this session we reflect upon the Dharma truth expressed in the lotus, a symbol of pure awakening that blossoms, not in pristine clear water, but from the messy muck of everyday life.
All foolish beings, whether good or evil,
When they hear and entrust to Amida’s universal Vow,
Are praised by the Buddha as people of vast and excellent understanding;
Such a person is called a pure white lotus.
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This session will delve into the meaning expressed the following metaphor of the sun that shines through clouds and mists, and how the Buddha’s wisdom illuminates our lives even in times of difficulty and confusion.
The light of compassion that grasps us illumines and protects us always;
The darkness of our ignorance is already broken through;
Still the clouds and mists of greed and desire, anger and hatred,
Cover as always the sky of true and real shinjin.
But though light of the sun is veiled by clouds and mists,
Beneath the clouds and mists there is brightness, not dark.
When one realizes shinjin, seeing and revering and attaining great joy,
One immediately leaps crosswise, closing off the five evil courses.
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This month we consider the following verse which illuminates the the profound transformation that occurs with the arising of the one thought-moment of joy.
When the one thought-moment of joy arises,
Nirvana is attained without severing blind passions;
When ignorant and wise, even grave offenders and slanders of the dharma, all alike turn and enter shinjin,
They are like waters that, on entering the ocean, become one in taste with it.
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This month as we celebrate Sakyamuni Buddha’s Birthday, the following verse from the Shoshinge expresses our appreciation for the meaning of his appearance in this world:
Sakyamuni Tathagata appeared in this world
Solely to teach the ocean-like Primal Vow of Amida;
We, an ocean of beings in an evil age of five defilements,
Should entrust ourselves to the Tathagata’s words of truth.
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This month we reflect upon the following verse as it relates to our journey to the Other Shore of enlightenment:
The Name embodying the Primal Vow is the act of true settlement, The Vow of entrusting with sincere mind is the cause of birth;
We realize the equal of enlightenment and supreme nirvana Through the fulfillment of the Vow of attaining nirvana without fail.
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This month we will continue to explore the meaning expressed in the light of Amida Buddha’s wisdom through the following verses:
This month we will continue to explore the meaning expressed in the light of Amida Buddha’s wisdom through the following verses:
Pure light, joyful light, the light of wisdom,
Light constant, inconceivable, light beyond speaking,
Light excelling sun and moon he sends forth, illumining countless worlds;
The multitudes of beings all receive the radiance.
Continue reading “Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 6)”Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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San Mateo Buddhist Women’s Association Corresponding Secretary Juliet Bost shares their appreciation of the Dharma with a talk entitled “MLK Day: A Jodo Shinshu Reflection.”
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This month we explore the meaning expressed in the following aspects of the light of Amida Buddha’s wisdom:
Everywhere [Amida Buddha] casts light immeasurable, boundless,
Unhindered, unequaled, light-lord of all brilliance,
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This month we learn about the origins of our practice of reciting the Nembutsu as expressed in the following lines from Shōshinge:
In five kalpas of profound thought, he embraced this Vow, Then resolved again that his Name be heard throughout the ten quarters.
Continue reading “Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 4)”Podcast: Play in new window | Download
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This month we learn about the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha, which is the heart of the Jodo Shinshu teaching, as we consider the following lines from Shōshinge:
He then established the supreme, incomparable Vow;
He made the great Vow rare and all-encompassing.
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