Two pilgrimages for two friends

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A few days ago, I was sitting in front of the statues of Amida and various Buddhas that I keep in my room to remind me of the 17^th Vow[1] and the protection they offer to people of shinjin (faith)[2], when I was overwhelmed with a strong sense of devotion and energy. Looking at each of their holly faces I said in a strong voice - I am the dog of Amida, I am the dog of the Buddhas.
 
A dog is loyal (in my case to Amida and all Buddhas), a dog fiercely protects what he loves (the Dharma and Sangha), a dog can walk many miles and resist cold and heat without complaining if he is given a task by his master. A dog is, I think, a good symbol for my pilgrimages on foot.
 
This time I had two pilgrimages: one to a friend and another to a dog’s grave.

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.

Thoughts on my 2nd Nembutsu pilgrimage to the Buddhist stupa in Tranisu village (many photos included!)

Click here to read about

 my 1st Nembutsu pilgrimage

Nembutsu pilgrimage to the Buddhist stupa in Tranisu (photos, impressions 

and doctrinal explanations)

It all started with a powerful thought that suddenly occurred into my mind – make a new pilgrimage NOW!

 After my first Nembutsu pilgrimage I already decided to make another one, but I did not plan anything for this summer, so I was taken by surprise by this intense urge to go NOW, that is, as soon as possible. I was travelling by train from Amidaji to Bucharest, watching a movie and relaxing with a cheap coffee when this powerful thought like a command appeared in my mind. In the next half an hour I was already organizing things and in two days I was on the road.

Such a trip on foot is not comfortable, but going to a stupa or Buddha statue should not be the same as visiting a mall-center, so if one is healthy, one should express one’s devotion and gratitude by walking at least a few hours on foot to a sacred place. I also think that as Buddhists living in a non-Buddhist country, and especially if we are ordained, we must get out of our comfort zone and be seen by the people, talk with people, help them create connections with us and the Buddha Dharma, inspiring them by our example, and thus helping them to know about the existence of the temples, stupas and statues that can be found in our countries. These are some of the reasons I started to make such pilgrimages.

Nembutsu pilgrimage to the Buddhist stupa from Tranișu (photos, impressions and doctrinal explanations)

Homage to all Dharma gates taught by Shakyamuni
and to all authentic lineages of transmission.
Homage to Amida Buddha
whose Name is praised by all Buddhas.

Click here for the Spanish version 

Click aici pentru versiunea in limba romana

It all started with a short conversation with myself. Buddhism has accustomed me to make quick decisions, so in about three minutes I contemplated in my mind: "I want to visit the stupa at Tranișu, but will I get along with the people there? What kind of Buddhists are they? How do they view the Dharma? Will I like them or will they like me?" Then I answered to myself: "None of these matters. A stupa is a stupa and it's very good that it exists. I have to get there. Those who worked on that stupa did something extraordinary and deserve my respect.” As I completed this reasoning, I spontaneously visualized the stupa enveloped in light, which gave me confidence that my decision to visit it was correct and that the place was auspicious. Then I said to myself: "I will go there on foot"[1].