Topics of examination for those who want to become lay teachers or monks and nuns in Amidaji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism

Here are some topics for study and examination in our Amidaji branch of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, especially useful for those who want to become lay teachers or monks and nuns. The candidate is required to use passages from the sacred texts in support of his or her explanations. You can start with any topic as the order is not important.

1) What is samsara? The illusory nature of samsara.

2) There is no creator god, ruler and judge of the world. The incompatibility of belief in a monotheistic god and Buddhism. Why those who believe in a creator god cannot have true faith in Amida Buddha? Difference between the so-called gods of monotheistic religions and Amida Buddha.

3) Buddhist explanations on the origin and existence of the universe.

4) The Buddhist teaching on rebirth.

Some elements of listening deeply to Amida Dharma

Question:

What should I do in order to listen deeply to Amida Dharma? Please, give me some examples of listening deeply.

Answer:

- Think that solving the matter of repeated births and deaths is the most important thing in your life.

- Put aside all other Buddhist or non-Buddhist teachings, philosophies, and opinions and listen (reading is also listening) only to Amida Dharma.

- Put aside what you think you know and listen to what Amida Dharma has to say. Empty your cup (mind) of your so called, personal "wisdom", and stay open to receive the nectar of Dharma. Consider that you know nothing and that Amida Dharma knows everything.

The Four Noble Truths from the Jodo Shinshu perspective

 After manifesting the attainment of perfect Enlightenment, Shakyamuni Buddha spoke about the Four Noble Truths: 

1.     The Noble Truth of Suffering:
“Birth is suffering, decay is suffering, disease is suffering, death is suffering, to be separated from the pleasant is suffering, not to get what one desires is suffering. In brief all the experiences made with the body and mind, which have craving as their base, are suffering.”
 
2.     The Noble Truth of the Cause of Suffering:
“It is this craving which produces rebirth, accompanied by passionate clinging, welcoming this and that. It is the craving for sensual pleasures, craving for existence and craving for non-existence.”

Vows made for those who still cling to their own power - explanation of the 19th Vow and 20th Vows of Amida Buddha

Click here to return to the list of the 
48 vows of Amida Buddha

“If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the lands of the ten directions, who awaken aspiration for Enlightenment, do various meritorious deeds and sincerely desire to be born in my land, should not, at their death, see me appear before them surrounded by a multitude of sages, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment.”[1] 

 (19^th Vow)

“If, when I attain Buddhahood, sentient beings in the lands of the ten directions who, having heard my Name, concentrate their thoughts on my land, plant roots of virtue, and sincerely transfer their merits towards my land with a desire to be born there, should not eventually fulfil their aspiration, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment.”[2]

 (20^th Vow)

Generally speaking, Buddhist practices taught by Shakyamuni can be classified into two groups:

3. Karma - the law of cause and effect

updated and revised August 21, 2020

(this article is the 3rd part of The Four Profound Thoughts that Turn the Mind Toward the Dharma) 

“Not in the heaven, not in the middle of the ocean, not in the mountain caves: there is no place in this world were you can hide from the consequences of your deeds.”[1]

            I will divide this section in two: a) general teaching on karma and b) karma and the salvation offered by Amida Buddha

            a) General teaching on karma

            Karma is the law of cause and effect. The term “karma” comes from the Sanskrit word “karman” which means action - acting with thought, deed and word. There are three types of karma: 1) the karma of thought, 2) karma of speech and 3) karma of action or body. All that we think, speak or do will affect our personal history. What we are now is the result of what we thought, said or did in the past, in another lifetime or in the present life; and what we think, speak and do in the present will create us in the future. We are the result of our own karma.  The Buddha said:

Elements of genuine faith: 8) To not mix nembutsu and devotion towards Amida Buddha with other faiths and practices from inside or outside of the Buddha Dharma

             - click to return to the main list of the elements of genuine faith in Amida Buddha - 

For example, a person of genuine faith will not entrust to, nor rely on the "god" of the monotheists[1] or any other gods or spirits of various religions.  

"Based on the true intent of the Buddha’s teaching and the expositions made and transmitted by the masters of the past, I will clarify that the path of sages is provisional and the Pure Land path is true, and caution people against non-Buddhist teachings, which are perverted, false, and wrong".[2]

“Those who take refuge truly and wholeheartedly, freeing themselves from all delusional attachments and all concern with the propitious or unpropitious, must never take refuge in false spirits or non-Buddhist teachings.”[3]

"Here, based on the sutras, the true and the false are determined and people are cautioned against the wrong, false, and misleading opinions of nonbuddhist teachings:
The Nirvana Sutra states:
'If one has taken refuge in the Buddha, one must not further take refuge in various gods.'

Focus on Amida Buddha and stick with Him no matter what happens in your mind or outside of it (video teaching)

 

Click here to watch more videos in the DHARMA TALK playlist. There are more than 170 videos there until now, so you'll certainly find one that is useful to you. 

Here are some links mentioned in the video: 

Some elements of listening deeply to Amida Dharma
 
Don't be hungry for feelings and special experiences
 
Depend on Amida, not on your feelings
 
Faithis simple, nothing special 
 
Shinjin:knowing not experiencing