The Stupa of All Buddhas at Amidaji temple

 

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in limba romana

General matters

After much thought, prayer, discussion and contemplation of various options, I finally decided that the Stupa of All Buddhas to be built at Amidaji will be inspired by the Dhamek Stupa (👈left image) which is located in the Deer Park at Sarnath in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.[1] The reasons are many, among which I mention the following, 

-       its style is better suited for a non-sectarian stupa: it is clearly not Tibetan, not Japanese, not Chinese, etc, but a simple Indian stupa style to which any Buddhist can relate to  - nobody can say, “this stupa belongs to a Tibetan, Chinese, Japanese school, etc”, but simply see it as a stupa.

-       its form is simple and easier to build locally, without the sophisticated architecture of a Tibetan chorten[2] or Japanese/Chinese pagoda

-       as Dhamek stupa commemorates the first teaching of the Buddha it is very suitable as an inspiration for the Stupa of All Buddhas which represents the Teaching of all Buddhas 

A HEART ADVICE to my friends

Stay away from anybody, either Buddhists or nonBuddhists, who try to give you the "gift" of fear, that is, who tell you that you are under some kind of evil influence because you think differently than them, for whom difference of vision on a certain project or topic means bad spirit influence. Who even want to exorcize or pacify spirits instead of pacifying themselves and accepting the differences between them and others.

Chose your partners and collaborators carefully and stay away from cult/sectarian mentality and fear. In this dark age of mappo have faith in Amida and/or any Buddha of your choice, engage in direct spiritual relation with them by saying their Names or mantras and praying to them for guidance, instead of worshipping flawed human beings.

Have the courage to work for your vision if it is supported by a honest intention even if the whole world is against you, calling you stubborn and under "evil influences".

It's ok to suffer when you are misunderstood by your close ones, but it's not ok to stop, so keep fighting the fight you believe is right.

Namo Amida Bu

COMMENTARY ON THE SUTRA ON THE VISUALISATION OF THE BUDDHA OF INFINITE LIFE (CONTEMPLATION SUTRA)

It is a few years since I completed my extensive commentary on the Larger Sutra, I have now completed my commentary on the Contemplation Sutra. Although it’s much shorter than the previous one, it took me a long time to finish it because I struggled to find the easiest way to explain it in the context of Shinran’s view of the Pure Land teaching.

I could, if I wanted to, insist on many details and offer a more scholarly approach to it. However, as my readers already know, I only care about the religious understanding that can be useful for guiding people to faith in Amida, and I write to clear any possible misunderstandings and obstacles that those sincerely interested in being born in the Pure Land might encounter when reading this sutra. As I am not a Buddha or a wise Master, my commentary is limited, but with all its limitations it contains everything that an ordinary person needs to know to put an end to the cycle of birth and death forever by aspiring to be born in the center (fulfilled land) of the Pure Land. 

 

For this book I used the English translation of the Contemplation Sutra from Chinese[1] by Rev Hisao Inagaki in collaboration with Harold Stewart and published under the title The Three Pure Land Sutras by Numata Centre for Buddhist Translation and Research, Kyoto, 2003.

The Bodhi Mind of the Pure Land Path (short question and answer)

Question from a reader: Shinran said that shinjin (faith) is Bodhi Mind. Does this mean that if I do not have Compassion for all beings in this life I will not go to the Pure Land?
 
My answer: The fact that shinjin (faith in Amida Buddha) equals Bodhi Mind does NOT mean that you are able to have the kind of Compassion ancient Mahayana saints had for every being in your present life! It only means that through faith in Amida you will be able to save all beings, because faith is the cause of birth in the Pure Land and of subsequent attainment of Buddhahood for you and all beings. So, the aspiration inherent in the Bodhi Mind is contained in shinjin in the sense that through faith you can fulfill the Bodhi Mind (after birth in the Pure Land). The aspirations of the Bodhi Mind (to become a Buddha for you and all beings) are fulfilled through faith, which is why faith is the Bodhi Mind. 

This is the proper way to understand this matter in accordance with our Jodo Shinshu school. So, don't worry. There is no problem that here and now you remain an ordinary person filled with ignorance and blind passions. It is especially for beings like you that Amida made His Primal Vow and created His Pure Land that is so easy to access.

PS: The only way you can practice compassion while you are still in this present samsaric body is to be an example of faith and help others entrust to Amida Buddha. I explained this when I presented the ten benefits in this life of a person of faith (click here to read the 9th benefit).

Don't be hungry for feelings in relation with faith

People, in general, are hungry for special feelings and sensations, thinking that if they don’t feel something special then maybe they have no true spiritual realisations. But in matters related with shinjin (faith in Amida) and the salvation offered by Amida Buddha, no special state of mind is necessary in your daily life.

When faith is awakened in one's mind/heart the follower is taken a great burden of his shoulders in the sense that he no longer needs to rely on himself to become a Buddha - a trully free One. The burden of his liberation is carried by the Buddha called Amida, who already crossed the Path for him.

You can be happy or feel relief when you first entrust to Amida Buddha, if attaining Buddhahood or final liberation from birth and death is the most important matter for you, but this doesn’t mean that hour by hour, minute to minute, second to second, you will think to Amida or feel a continuous joy as to jump in the air. Our lives are in such a way that we can always be overwhelmed by daily problems and worries. But its ok, its simply ok to be like this. We are not compelled to always jump with joy because we are saved by Amida. Despite of this, the salvation offered by Amida Buddha is always present, as our simple faith in Him remains with us since we first received it in our hearts.

My 3rd Nembutsu pilgrimage to the Buddhist stupa in Tranisu as the starting point for the project of the Stupa of All Buddhas at Amidaji temple

Homage to Amida and all Buddhas!

Click here to read about my 1st pilgrimage to the stupa of Tranisu

Click here to read about my 2nd Pilgrimage

I dedicated this 3rd pilgrimage to all beings, including our protectors and the deities who rule over this land, to the Buddhists of this country and those who helped build and consecrate the stupa in Tranișu, to the members of FPMT, Amidaji, and to my benefactors.

May their vital energy increase, may they always be healthy in body and mind, may they receive in abundance everything they need, including water, food, clothing and shelter, may all obstacles disappear from them, may they never be reborn in the lower realms of existence, may they create indestructible connections with Amida and all Buddhas and attain supreme Enlightenment as soon as possible. 

Also, may our project with the Stupa of All Buddhas be realized without any obstacles at Amidaji temple. May all authentic lineages of transmission spread in Romania so that everyone can practice according to their specific karmic affinities and characteristics. May all Buddhists in this country always collaborate with each other in a non-sectarian spirit and for the benefit of all beings. May the wrong views that contradict the Buddha's teachings never enter these places or, if they have already entered, may they disappear permanently and have no power over the beings here. May this country become a mandala of all Buddhas and a place where human and nonhuman beings can evolve easily, without any obstacles! 

With the above aspirations in mind (as well as other personal aspirations and dedications) I recently started and finished my 3^rd pilgrimage to the Buddhist stupa of Tranisu.