So often my mind can get muddled. Some days not so much, but often it gets muddled and tells me things that I find annoying or worrisome. So I say the Nembutsu and I feel much better. I say the Nembutsu and know that my thoughts are not me.
My mind likes to run away with things and go in directions that I don't want to go. A mind is something that always wants to be moving. So when I say the Nembutsu it helps me focus on Amida's compassionate vow to save us unenlightened folks and send us to the Pureland where we will become Buddhas and our minds will be brought under control.
Now I just shrug off my mind and accept it for what it is. A mind. Just like I try to accept others for who they are because I don't know their karma and I shouldn't judge another's path. Just as Amida shows an unenlightened being like myself compassion, so I am compelled to do the same to others if I can. So I try, and even if I fail I just say the Nembutsu anyways, as Amida understands us and will take us to his Pureland.
Namo Amitabhaya
Monday, May 30, 2016
Friday, May 13, 2016
Shinjin growing
Lately I find my shinjin or faith in Amida's vow is getting strong. I say the Nembutsu often. It is very helpful to do so. It reminds me of the vow Amida made and how it will lead me to the Pureland where I will become a Buddha. It also helps tame my annoying monkey mind that won't stop chattering. Although my monkey mind makes me realize how unenlightened I truly am and how important it is to rely on and have faith in Amida's vow.
Namo Amida Bu
Namo Amida Bu
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
No guilt thank you
Guilt is a bad emotion/feeling I find. I used to feel a lot of guilt when I was a Christian if I didn't live what I saw as a Christian life. Christianity pays no attention to karma and often assumes everyone should be and act the same, without understanding how diverse people are when it comes to emotions, understandings, etc.
The Amida Buddha had great understanding and knew very well that everyone was different based on the karma one gathered through uncountable lives. All he asks is one say the Nembutsu a few times and trust in his vow. No need for piety or 'clean livin'. You can be yourself and not feel guilty about not changing based on the demands of some words in an old book.
As I always mention this doesn't mean one should live a life of hedonism and debauchery. It is good to try and be healthy and in control. But one should not feel excess pressure to change. Amida knows your karma and will take care of it in the Pureland. If you struggle with eating too much or sleeping around too much then please make efforts to try and be healthy if you can, but don't guilt yourself into it. Be a unhealthy eater who says the Nembutsu or a oversexed Nembutsu practitioner. There is karma in those actions that will effect you in this life, know that. One cannot eat fried food everyday or sleep with many parteners and not suffer someway down the line, but this karma will not follow you into the afterlife.
Amida knows how we are unable to fix ourselves fully in this existance. Amida knows your karma. Trust in his vow and say the Nembutsu.
Namo Amitabhaya
The Amida Buddha had great understanding and knew very well that everyone was different based on the karma one gathered through uncountable lives. All he asks is one say the Nembutsu a few times and trust in his vow. No need for piety or 'clean livin'. You can be yourself and not feel guilty about not changing based on the demands of some words in an old book.
As I always mention this doesn't mean one should live a life of hedonism and debauchery. It is good to try and be healthy and in control. But one should not feel excess pressure to change. Amida knows your karma and will take care of it in the Pureland. If you struggle with eating too much or sleeping around too much then please make efforts to try and be healthy if you can, but don't guilt yourself into it. Be a unhealthy eater who says the Nembutsu or a oversexed Nembutsu practitioner. There is karma in those actions that will effect you in this life, know that. One cannot eat fried food everyday or sleep with many parteners and not suffer someway down the line, but this karma will not follow you into the afterlife.
Amida knows how we are unable to fix ourselves fully in this existance. Amida knows your karma. Trust in his vow and say the Nembutsu.
Namo Amitabhaya
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Monkey Mind be quiet!
Oh how the monkey mind likes to chatter in your ear. Endless ravings and rantings or perhaps just a little nugget it plants in your thoughts and sends you into a tizzy. My monkey mind was after me this morning. Every thing I did my mind was there to tell me something about it. So I said the Nembutsu. Namo Amitabhaya and my mind shut up.
Is the purpose of the Nembutsu to make your mind quiet? No, not really. But it is a good side effect I think. It is meditative in its very essence, but most importantly it's there to tell you there is nothing you can do to enlighten or save yourself. All you need to do is say the Nembutsu and Amida will do the rest.
So when you monkey mind acts up, shut it up with the Nembutsu. And if the chatter still gets through, don't sweat it, because they are just thoughts and mean nothing at all. No different then drunken babble. Say the Nembutsu and relax in the vow of Amida.
Is the purpose of the Nembutsu to make your mind quiet? No, not really. But it is a good side effect I think. It is meditative in its very essence, but most importantly it's there to tell you there is nothing you can do to enlighten or save yourself. All you need to do is say the Nembutsu and Amida will do the rest.
So when you monkey mind acts up, shut it up with the Nembutsu. And if the chatter still gets through, don't sweat it, because they are just thoughts and mean nothing at all. No different then drunken babble. Say the Nembutsu and relax in the vow of Amida.
Friday, April 22, 2016
Nembutsu anywhere
One of the best parts of the Nembutsu is its mobility. You can do it anywhere. While out for a walk, while driving, while at work, while using the toilet. It doesn't matter. I recently have been doing zazen as a regular practice and while it has been beneficial, it requires a 'time and place' to do properly. That is something in short supply for me lately. Mainly because I can be quite lazy and not want to 'work', especially 'spiritual' work. But that's ok, it's just the way it is! The Nembutsu has me covered there.
An example would be the other day I had just finished my zazen and came downstairs and found my mind was in a dreadful state of disorder. Odd I thought. My zazen seems less effective lately. Or my monkey mind is fighting back. Feeling a bit 'annoyed' at this, I automatically started saying the Nembutsu. Instantly my mind went back to normal and all was well. I chanted the Nembutsu all night while I went about my business of watering the grass, smoking a pipe and drinking a scotch. Now this wasn't 'magic' or some esoteric stuff. It's just simply the relaxing feeling of knowing that nothing is expected of me and my mind doesn't matter. As Alan Watts stated on the Nembutsu....
"saying Nembutsu is simply a symbolical way of pointing out that you don't have to become this, because you are it...
The Middle Way, right down the center, is where you don't have to do a thing to justify yourself, and you don't have to justify not justifying yourself. So, there is something quite fascinating and tricky in this doctrine of the great bodhisattva Amitabha, who saves you just as you are, who delivers you from bondage just as you are. You only have to say "Namu Amida butsu."
Well said Mr. Watts....Namo Amida Butsu
An example would be the other day I had just finished my zazen and came downstairs and found my mind was in a dreadful state of disorder. Odd I thought. My zazen seems less effective lately. Or my monkey mind is fighting back. Feeling a bit 'annoyed' at this, I automatically started saying the Nembutsu. Instantly my mind went back to normal and all was well. I chanted the Nembutsu all night while I went about my business of watering the grass, smoking a pipe and drinking a scotch. Now this wasn't 'magic' or some esoteric stuff. It's just simply the relaxing feeling of knowing that nothing is expected of me and my mind doesn't matter. As Alan Watts stated on the Nembutsu....
"saying Nembutsu is simply a symbolical way of pointing out that you don't have to become this, because you are it...
The Middle Way, right down the center, is where you don't have to do a thing to justify yourself, and you don't have to justify not justifying yourself. So, there is something quite fascinating and tricky in this doctrine of the great bodhisattva Amitabha, who saves you just as you are, who delivers you from bondage just as you are. You only have to say "Namu Amida butsu."
Well said Mr. Watts....Namo Amida Butsu
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Don't pressure yourself
Many works based religions like Christianity and Islam want you to change. They want you to become more 'holy' or 'righteous'. You have to give up things that can be difficult to give up. You are forced to pressure yourself to be a certain way. And when you fail at this there is some compassion but you must repent first then try again to be this 'certain way'.
This is all very hard on a person and shows a lack of understanding of karma and a person's karmic debt. That is the beauty of the vow of Amida Buddha. His compassion shows he understands karma and how karmic debt can prevent people from achieving their most 'holy' and 'righteous' selves to the point that constantly trying to achieve it is pointless.
Now, once again, I won't say a person should not try and overcome their problems. They can and should try, but this is so they can live a more peaceful and happy life, not because their is a deity watching over them wanting them to not 'sin'. And if the difficult struggle against one's problems is causing too much issues and leading a person to depression and guilt then a person should accept their karma and who they are.
If a person just can't give up booze, then let them be a drunk who rests in the compassionate vow of the Amida Buddha. Sure it would be better for their health if they didn't drink so much, but perhaps their karma is just more then they can handle. There should be no pressure. Amida understands and expects nothing from you.
Namo Amida Bu
This is all very hard on a person and shows a lack of understanding of karma and a person's karmic debt. That is the beauty of the vow of Amida Buddha. His compassion shows he understands karma and how karmic debt can prevent people from achieving their most 'holy' and 'righteous' selves to the point that constantly trying to achieve it is pointless.
Now, once again, I won't say a person should not try and overcome their problems. They can and should try, but this is so they can live a more peaceful and happy life, not because their is a deity watching over them wanting them to not 'sin'. And if the difficult struggle against one's problems is causing too much issues and leading a person to depression and guilt then a person should accept their karma and who they are.
If a person just can't give up booze, then let them be a drunk who rests in the compassionate vow of the Amida Buddha. Sure it would be better for their health if they didn't drink so much, but perhaps their karma is just more then they can handle. There should be no pressure. Amida understands and expects nothing from you.
Namo Amida Bu
Friday, January 29, 2016
Lazy with the Nembutsu
I have been lazy lately and not saying the Nembutsu much. Then I feel bad about it, but before I worry to much about it I say the Nembutsu once maybe twice before my monkey mind starts thinking of video games and pizza pops. And that's ok. Amida is compassionate and knows how unenlightened we are and will welcome us into his Pureland regardless of where we are at.
Namo Amida Bu
Namo Amida Bu
Friday, January 22, 2016
Ignoring my mind
I have talked before about the 'monkey mind' and how it can be a pain in the ass to ignore it, Meditation and other techniques can help but I find the best thing is to just realize that your mind actually IS 'monkey mind' and pay it no attention. Treat your mind like a stupid friend who won't shut up and constantly lies, makes stuff up and is generally annoying. You know he's full of shit so you just ignore him and what he says. Your mind is pretty much the same.
When my mind starts going crazy at one time I would say 'hey I need to meditate more'. Now I just ignore my mind and maybe mutter the Nembutsu a few times.
Namo Amida Bu.
When my mind starts going crazy at one time I would say 'hey I need to meditate more'. Now I just ignore my mind and maybe mutter the Nembutsu a few times.
Namo Amida Bu.
Sunday, January 17, 2016
No fruit required
Someone recently told me that the surest way to salvation is through the Christian faith. As a former Christian (a few times over) I told them that I find Christianity too 'works' based. The person was flabbergasted. "Surely you are mistaken." he said, "Christianity is about grace where Jesus does everything for you. It is other religions that are works based!"
In my journey I have discovered the only path that doesn't require 'works' is the path of the Nembutsu. The compassionate vow of the Amida Buddha saves us and we can do nothing but say the Nembutsu, if only a few times.
What's the difference between that and when a Christian 'accepts' Jesus?
If that's where it ended for a Christian there maybe wouldn't be so much of a difference, but it doesn't. There are certain things expected of a Christian. Certain 'fruits' should be brought to bear proving they are truly a Christian. An example may be if a drug addict decided to become one, it would be expected he would quit using. If he kept going back to his 'old ways' it would be said he most likely doesn't truly have the 'spirit' in him and is not a Christian. I am not saying Christianity lacks compassion for people who struggle with their 'sin', but there is pressure to overcome your karma, which is not possible. Of course one can overcome their problems, for example the drug addict could quit using if his karma allowed it, but it shouldn't be a determining factor in his salvation. I know several people who got over their alcoholism after becoming Christians. I am just saying even if they stayed drunks, it shouldn't have been as issue.
I suppose this idea of fruits of the spirit comes from the Christian idea of the Holy Spirit which actually gives you the power to overcome your karmic debt. From observing Christianity and being a part of it I rarely see this happen however for any extended period. The karma built up after many, many lifetimes is not easy, if not impossible to overcome. I see many struggle to continually overcome what they see as their 'sin', driving themselves crazy, when they could just say 'it's ok, Amida has got my back, no matter what. Namo Amida Bu'. They can be sinful Nembutsu practitioners and have peace of mind instead of endlessly feeling guilty about their sin.
Another issue I found really works based was that one is also to engage in fellowship and go to church (even if they are an introvert and don't really dig idle fellowship or sitting listening to sermons), read their Bible (even if they don't enjoy reading it) and pray (even if prayer isn't their thing). There is a lot expected of a Christian after they 'accept' Jesus, even if on the surface it is said the works are not part of your standard Protestant theology.
Oddly enough the Calvinist or Reformed theologies in Christianity preach that we really can do nothing to save ourselves, yet still preach there is works we 'should' do and there should be 'evidence' or that we 'bear good fruit' as a sign of the spirit.
I want to share now a blog post from Amida-Ji Retrat Temple in Romania written by Rev Josho....
There is salvation! Salvation from having to try and overcome your crushing karmic debt. Of course if you struggle with a destructive tendency it is good to try and work on it, but you should know that the Amida Buddha accepts you for who you are at every moment, not the impossible 'enlightened' and 'righteous' self that other paths try to make you become. With Amida, there is no fruit required, and that should give you peace!
Namo Amida Butsu
In my journey I have discovered the only path that doesn't require 'works' is the path of the Nembutsu. The compassionate vow of the Amida Buddha saves us and we can do nothing but say the Nembutsu, if only a few times.
What's the difference between that and when a Christian 'accepts' Jesus?
If that's where it ended for a Christian there maybe wouldn't be so much of a difference, but it doesn't. There are certain things expected of a Christian. Certain 'fruits' should be brought to bear proving they are truly a Christian. An example may be if a drug addict decided to become one, it would be expected he would quit using. If he kept going back to his 'old ways' it would be said he most likely doesn't truly have the 'spirit' in him and is not a Christian. I am not saying Christianity lacks compassion for people who struggle with their 'sin', but there is pressure to overcome your karma, which is not possible. Of course one can overcome their problems, for example the drug addict could quit using if his karma allowed it, but it shouldn't be a determining factor in his salvation. I know several people who got over their alcoholism after becoming Christians. I am just saying even if they stayed drunks, it shouldn't have been as issue.
I suppose this idea of fruits of the spirit comes from the Christian idea of the Holy Spirit which actually gives you the power to overcome your karmic debt. From observing Christianity and being a part of it I rarely see this happen however for any extended period. The karma built up after many, many lifetimes is not easy, if not impossible to overcome. I see many struggle to continually overcome what they see as their 'sin', driving themselves crazy, when they could just say 'it's ok, Amida has got my back, no matter what. Namo Amida Bu'. They can be sinful Nembutsu practitioners and have peace of mind instead of endlessly feeling guilty about their sin.
Another issue I found really works based was that one is also to engage in fellowship and go to church (even if they are an introvert and don't really dig idle fellowship or sitting listening to sermons), read their Bible (even if they don't enjoy reading it) and pray (even if prayer isn't their thing). There is a lot expected of a Christian after they 'accept' Jesus, even if on the surface it is said the works are not part of your standard Protestant theology.
Oddly enough the Calvinist or Reformed theologies in Christianity preach that we really can do nothing to save ourselves, yet still preach there is works we 'should' do and there should be 'evidence' or that we 'bear good fruit' as a sign of the spirit.
I want to share now a blog post from Amida-Ji Retrat Temple in Romania written by Rev Josho....
Some time ago I was in correspondence with a drug addict who showed great interest in the Jodo Shinshu teaching. He had a hard time trying again and again to give up taking drugs but he always returned to his bad habit. More than this, he was afraid that he cannot be saved by Amida as he is.
I said to him:
Just entrust to Amida Buddha as you are. If you can abstain, and is useful to try, this would be good for your health, but if you cannot, don’t worry. Jodo Shinshu is especially for people who cannot abstain, who are incapable of any practice, for those that any advice or any treatment is useless, for people whose minds are too sick to recover from their problems, anxieties, and deviations. Its not that they especially want to be like this, but their habitual karma is too strong for them to overcome. After many years and even many lives of taking the drugs of ignorance and blind passions how can one think and act like a normal person? How can one practice Buddhism and become a Buddha by himself?
I met many times with alcoholics and told them the same if they asked me questions on Buddhism. If you tried and cannot give up, then be an alcoholic who entrusts to Amida. Be an alcoholic or drug addict nembutsu follower. Be a bad Buddhist who entrusts to Amida.
Jodo Shinshu is the path for sick people, for those without hope. Its the path for alcoholics, drug addicts, and all kind of people with strong attachments. All are equally accepted by the Compassion and Primal Vow of Amida Buddha. So please, come as you are. Your salvation is in Amida's hands, not yours.
You can try to cure yourself of any addiction you have, but do NOT postpone taking refuge in Amida Buddha until you become ready, or clean or worthy... You are saved not because you "deserve", but because Amida loves you unconditionally.
Namo Amida Butsu
http://www.amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.ca/2015/07/a-bad-buddhist-who-entrusts-to-amida_2.html
http://www.amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.ca/2015/07/a-bad-buddhist-who-entrusts-to-amida_2.html
There is salvation! Salvation from having to try and overcome your crushing karmic debt. Of course if you struggle with a destructive tendency it is good to try and work on it, but you should know that the Amida Buddha accepts you for who you are at every moment, not the impossible 'enlightened' and 'righteous' self that other paths try to make you become. With Amida, there is no fruit required, and that should give you peace!
Namo Amida Butsu
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Wonderful simplicity
I would always worry if I was doing enough in my chosen spiritual path. Was I praying enough as a Christian? Meditating enough when I was into Zen? Practicing my workings enough when I was into the occult? It can go on and on....
It was never really enough. I couldn't ever relax and let my mind chill out. Mainly because my mind was always sending me on a goose chase asking these questions.
Today I wonder if I am doing enough in regards to the Buddha Dharma. I realize no I am not, then I say the Nembutsu.
Namo Amida Butsu.
So simple. That is all I need to do. My mind is at ease at such a simple thing. Such compassion showed by Amida to us unenlightened fools who think we can save ourselves. No more worrying about doing enough, because doing enough isn't necessary. Just say the Nembutsu and Amida will guide you to the Pureland.
Namo Amida Butso.
It was never really enough. I couldn't ever relax and let my mind chill out. Mainly because my mind was always sending me on a goose chase asking these questions.
Today I wonder if I am doing enough in regards to the Buddha Dharma. I realize no I am not, then I say the Nembutsu.
Namo Amida Butsu.
So simple. That is all I need to do. My mind is at ease at such a simple thing. Such compassion showed by Amida to us unenlightened fools who think we can save ourselves. No more worrying about doing enough, because doing enough isn't necessary. Just say the Nembutsu and Amida will guide you to the Pureland.
Namo Amida Butso.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
Death and attachment
The age old question has always been, what happens when we die? There is no need for me to go into the huge variety of answers as you probably already know many of the ideas yourself, but it's interesting to consider the idea of attachment to yourself and others as it relates to death,
Many people take comfort that their present self and/or their loved ones will exist forever. It's not uncommon. I have been there and can still go there at times. It's the common belief in Christianity and even more 'secular' ideas of 'God' and 'Heaven' that we will all meet in 'Paradise' one day and live in peace and bliss for eternity. The idea that Grandma and Granpa are up in heaven smiling down on us and waiting to see us again.
However what we are attached to (ourselves and loved ones) ceases to exist after death. Now I don't mean annihilation or atheistic nothingness, but it's the whole that makes us who we are right now. Our impermanent current self. I am a combination of my body and my mind. That's very basic as we can go deeper. I am a certain amount of cells and organs and....blah blah. You get the picture. One of my favourite blogs is Amida-Ji Retreat Temple (http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.ca/) and Rev. Josho, the priest, broke it down nicely. Basically using the analogy of a car. If you take apart the car into individual pieces and sell some and throw some out, the car doesn't really exist anymore in that state and neither will we after death.
We are right now, what we are made up of. Even our current self is a bit different then ourself many years ago as our mind and body change. You don't think the same way. I can read old emails I wrote to relatives and it sounds like a different person writing them, and in a sense it was. We are so very impermanent.
What is the constant then? Is there something permanent? Sure, the 'mindstream' as some call it. The part of us that continues to be reborn in endless rebirths in the karmic samsara. When it enters a new body it is no longer who it was in the past rebirth. It's housed by new parts that make a new being. Your loved ones that you hope to see again one day have already moved on to new lives. Or maybe if they said the Nembutsu and trusted in Amida's vow they are in the Pureland now, Buddhas!
What is the cure for this obsession with impermanence? Say the Nembutsu. Why? Will it make my mind super peaceful and accepting of impermanence? Hardly. But it will give you peace that your impermanence may be coming to an end. For if you say the Nembutsu and have faith in Amida's vow, you will be reborn in the Pureland as a Buddha and it's only a Buddha who can recall all his many, many rebirths. Then impermanence will seem quite trivial when you see the endless lives that your mindstream participated it. How silly were we all to be attached to just one. But it's understandable, as we are all unenlightened in this age of Dharma decline. Attachment is the root of our suffering. And that's ok, so just say the Nembutsu and become a Buddha!
Namo Amida Bu.
Many people take comfort that their present self and/or their loved ones will exist forever. It's not uncommon. I have been there and can still go there at times. It's the common belief in Christianity and even more 'secular' ideas of 'God' and 'Heaven' that we will all meet in 'Paradise' one day and live in peace and bliss for eternity. The idea that Grandma and Granpa are up in heaven smiling down on us and waiting to see us again.
However what we are attached to (ourselves and loved ones) ceases to exist after death. Now I don't mean annihilation or atheistic nothingness, but it's the whole that makes us who we are right now. Our impermanent current self. I am a combination of my body and my mind. That's very basic as we can go deeper. I am a certain amount of cells and organs and....blah blah. You get the picture. One of my favourite blogs is Amida-Ji Retreat Temple (http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.ca/) and Rev. Josho, the priest, broke it down nicely. Basically using the analogy of a car. If you take apart the car into individual pieces and sell some and throw some out, the car doesn't really exist anymore in that state and neither will we after death.
We are right now, what we are made up of. Even our current self is a bit different then ourself many years ago as our mind and body change. You don't think the same way. I can read old emails I wrote to relatives and it sounds like a different person writing them, and in a sense it was. We are so very impermanent.
What is the constant then? Is there something permanent? Sure, the 'mindstream' as some call it. The part of us that continues to be reborn in endless rebirths in the karmic samsara. When it enters a new body it is no longer who it was in the past rebirth. It's housed by new parts that make a new being. Your loved ones that you hope to see again one day have already moved on to new lives. Or maybe if they said the Nembutsu and trusted in Amida's vow they are in the Pureland now, Buddhas!
What is the cure for this obsession with impermanence? Say the Nembutsu. Why? Will it make my mind super peaceful and accepting of impermanence? Hardly. But it will give you peace that your impermanence may be coming to an end. For if you say the Nembutsu and have faith in Amida's vow, you will be reborn in the Pureland as a Buddha and it's only a Buddha who can recall all his many, many rebirths. Then impermanence will seem quite trivial when you see the endless lives that your mindstream participated it. How silly were we all to be attached to just one. But it's understandable, as we are all unenlightened in this age of Dharma decline. Attachment is the root of our suffering. And that's ok, so just say the Nembutsu and become a Buddha!
Namo Amida Bu.
Monday, January 4, 2016
Tired after holidays
The holidays are finally over and it's been a busy time for many. So busy that I didn't have much time to ponder the Buddha Dharma. Do I feel bad about it? No not really. Should I? Yes probably, but because of my unenlightenment, I have trouble caring and Amida Buddha understands that. And at the few times I did think 'gee I should spend some time focusing on the compassion of Amida' then I remember all I have to do is say the Nembutsu a few times and all is well.
Namo Amida Butsu
Namo Amida Bu
So simple. Just saying that, even in my unenlightened state, brings me great peace. Not because it's some 'magic' mantra, but because I know the Amida Buddha has me covered and I will be a Buddha in the Pureland one day because of his incredible compassion, even when I am more interested right now in scotch and video games.
And of course it doesn't mean one shouldn't try to focus on the Dharma if and when they can, but there should be no pressure as there is really nothing you can do to become enlightened. All you can do is say the Nembutsu and trust in Amida's vow.
Namo Amida Butsu.
Namo Amida Butsu
Namo Amida Bu
So simple. Just saying that, even in my unenlightened state, brings me great peace. Not because it's some 'magic' mantra, but because I know the Amida Buddha has me covered and I will be a Buddha in the Pureland one day because of his incredible compassion, even when I am more interested right now in scotch and video games.
And of course it doesn't mean one shouldn't try to focus on the Dharma if and when they can, but there should be no pressure as there is really nothing you can do to become enlightened. All you can do is say the Nembutsu and trust in Amida's vow.
Namo Amida Butsu.
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