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
Friday, January 29, 2016
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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