Friday, February 22, 2019
The Lifespan of Amida Buddha and of the enlightened beings in His Pure Land – commentary on the 12th section of the Larger Sutra
Wednesday, February 20, 2019
The meaning of praising or glorifying Amida’s Light – commentary on the third part of section 11 of the Larger Sutra
Monday, February 18, 2019
To encounter or see Amida’s Light – commentary on the second part of section 11 of the Larger Sutra
Amida's Light sent to His devotee shown in the lower part |
Friday, February 15, 2019
The twelve Lights of Amida Buddha – commentary on the first part of section 11 of the Larger Sutra
Image of Amida Buddha at the altar of Amidaji temple |
Wednesday, February 13, 2019
No need for ritual empowerment or initiation from a Master to connect with Amida Buddha
All you need to do is accept His helping hand, say His Name in faith and wish to be born in His Pure Land after death. In His Primal Vow, Amida did not mention any empowerment, but only "entrust to me, say my Name and wish to be born in my land". If nothing else was mentioned there, then you do NOT need anything else. Through following the three requirements of His Primal Vow you enter into karmic relation with Amida Buddha and into the stage of those assured of birth on His Pure Land.
Any other practice associated with Amida Buddha which is not related with the three elements of His Primal Vow should NOT be your concern, because it does not constitute Amida's main intention. Jodo Shinshu is the school of the Primal Vow. We follow exclusively the requirements of the Primal Vow and by doing this we are always in direct connection with Amida Buddha.
Tuesday, February 12, 2019
Attitudes when doing ordinary offerings or Dharma offerings
Question: What should be the attitude when we help others with material things or if we are priests and offer teachings?
My answer: When you give something to a poor person, (and I encourage my Dharma friends to make constant offerings of food, money, clothes, or whatever one can, to those who are in a difficult situation), you should be humble, respectful and grateful to them for accepting your offering. Be respectful as poverty is hard to bear and any insult can add immensely to their suffering. Be humble and grateful at being offered the opportunity to help them, as this will also help you to develop compassion and fulfill your filial duty towards your parent-like sentient beings.
Especially if you offer something in the name of your dead relatives, be grateful that they might thus receive the karmic benefits of your action[1]. Also be aware that there are still people who lack basic needs and that you cannot help them constantly due to your limited compassion and means.
Its the same when giving Dharma teachings because the offering of Amida Dharma is the highest form of offering. Be respectful because all people suffer from ignorance and attachement to their ego. They might also feel insulted even if you teach the true Dharma, so its better to avoid those who are not in a learning mood as you and them can always lose control due to spiritual limitations.
Be humble because the Dharma you are teaching is not your property, and you are
only a transmitter, not a creator of the teaching. Be grateful to Amida Buddha
for giving you the chance to help others receive faith in Him and for His
unseen guidance and inspiration. Think that whatever true and useful words you
say come from Amida's influence on you and whatever you say wrong is due to
your unenlightened and limited personality. And you should also be aware that
no matter what you do, you will never be able to repay Amida's benevolence and
Compassion for you.
[1] Beings in bardo, but also others can see the things that are done in their name by their former relatives. If they see and are joyful of the good done in their name, they receive the karmic effect of that action. Its like it was done by themselves.