Nagarjuna Archives - San Mateo Buddhist Temple

Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 16)

Posted on January 13, 2022March 12, 2022

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

This month’s session will continue to explore the teachings of the Pure Land Master Nagarjuna, who clarifies that mindfulness of Amida Buddha is the path swiftly realize the settled mind.

He teaches that the moment one thinks on Amida’s Primal Vow,
One is naturally brought to enter the stage of the definitely settled;
Solely saying the Tathagata’s Name constantly,
One should respond with gratitude to the universal Vow of great compassion.

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The Meaning of 108

Posted on December 31, 2021April 13, 2022

The number 108 has great significance in Buddhism. There are multiple commentaries the meaning of 108. The following are two common explanations.

**Nagarjuna’s explanation of the significance of the number 108 from his Commentary on the Perfection of Great Wisdom:**

Human beings have 6 senses 六受:

1) sight 眼→色

2) sound 耳→声

3) smell 鼻→香

4) taste 舌→味

5) touch 身→触

6) thought 意→法

Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 15)

Posted on December 9, 2021March 12, 2022

Wednesday, December 8, 2021

This month’s session will continue to explore the teachings of the Pure Land Master Nagarjuna, which open our minds to the easy path of entrusting in Amida Buddha.

Proclaiming the unexcelled Mahayana teaching,
He would attain the stage of joy and be born in the land of happiness.
Nagarjuna clarifies the hardship on the overland path of difficult practice,
And leads us to entrust to the pleasure on the waterway of easy practice.

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Shōshinge: Hymn of True Shinjin and the Nembutsu (Session 14)

Posted on November 11, 2021March 12, 2022

Wednesday, November 10, 2021

This month’s session will explore the teachings of the Pure Land Master Nagarjuna whose writings on the Middle Way serve as the foundation for the Mahayana Buddhist path to awakening.

Sakyamuni Tathagata, on Mount Lanka,
Prophesied to the multitudes that in south India
The mahasattva Nagarjuna would appear in this world
To crush the views of being and non-being;

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