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“I am a link in
Amida Buddha’s Golden Chain of Love that stretches around the world. I must
keep my link bright and strong.
I will try to be kind and gentle to every living thing and protect all who are weaker than myself.
I will try to think pure and beautiful thoughts, to say pure and beautiful words, and to do pure and beautiful deeds, knowing that on what I do now depends not only my happiness or unhappiness, but also that of others.
May every link in Amida’s Golden Chain of Love be bright and strong, and may we all attain Perfect Peace.”
The
“Golden Chain of Love” was written by Dorothy Hunt in Hawaii about 90 years ago
and it became a traditional recitation in the temples belonging to the Buddhist
Churches of America (BCA) as well as in the youth services for Dharma School, Young
Buddhist groups, scouting and basketball programs.
In my opinion the first sentence in the golden chain is OK but the rest of the text contains no reference to faith (shinjin) which is not good. Here is how I would modify it so as to make it more in agreement with the Jodo Shinshu teaching:
I am a link in
Amida Buddha’s Golden Chain of Love that stretches around the world.
My link is kept bright and strong by Amida's Infinite Power and Compassion.
I will think to
Amida every day, say His Name and help others entrust to Him.
I will try to be
kind and gentle to every living being, protect all who are weaker than myself
and be an example of faith.
May every link in
Amida's Golden Chain of Love shine with the Light of Namo Amida Butsu and
inspire others to say it so that we may all be born in the Land of Peace and
Bliss.
Please
do not get me wrong. There is no problem in TRYING to be kind and gentle and
protect those who are weaker than oneself! On the contrary, we find enough
encouragements to do good in the Larger
Sutra and Shinran’s writings but the text seems to forget completely about
faith. This is why I propose the above more balanced version.
Also,
I think it is more doctrinally correct to say "my link is kept bright and strong by Amida's Infinite Power and
Compassion" rather than I must keep my
link bright and strong. We are what we are as persons of faith because of
Amida’s influence on us.
A
text that is recited daily and enters the subconscious mind of many followers must
contain elements that guides one’s mind and heart to Amida and speaks about
faith.
We
also have at Amidaji some simple texts (like this one) for daily optional recitations and they
all make reference to faith and Other Power. I would like that my American
friends who recite the Golden Chain think
about modifying it by using my suggestions. English is not my native tongue so
feel free to improve or modify my version.
I will try to be kind and gentle to every living thing and protect all who are weaker than myself.
I will try to think pure and beautiful thoughts, to say pure and beautiful words, and to do pure and beautiful deeds, knowing that on what I do now depends not only my happiness or unhappiness, but also that of others.
May every link in Amida’s Golden Chain of Love be bright and strong, and may we all attain Perfect Peace.”
In my opinion the first sentence in the golden chain is OK but the rest of the text contains no reference to faith (shinjin) which is not good. Here is how I would modify it so as to make it more in agreement with the Jodo Shinshu teaching:
My link is kept bright and strong by Amida's Infinite Power and Compassion.
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