"Thus have I heard" - The time and place of the deliverance of this sutra, commentary on section 1 of the Larger Sutra

Shakyamuni Buddha teaching
the Larger Sutra

fragment from my commentary on the Larger Sutra 

- this is a work in progress and under constant revision -  

“Thus have I heard” is the starting formula of any genuine teaching (sutra) of Shakyamuni Buddha. It represents the testimony of Ananda and other direct disciples of the Enlightened One, as well as their successors, that what they transmitted to us, the future generations, is the authentic teaching of Shakyamuni himself, and not something they invented. These words are always followed by the historical place where the sutra was delivered – in our case, the Vulture Peak in Rajagṛha, and the audience gathered there to listen to it:

“Thus have I heard. At one time the Buddha was staying on Vulture Peak in Rājagṛha with a large company of twelve thousand monks. They were all great sages who had already attained supernatural powers. Their names included the following: Venerable Ājnāta kauṇḍinya, Venerable Aśvajit, Venerable Vāṣpa, Venerable Mahānāma, Venerable Bhadrajit, Ven erable Vimala, Venerable Yaśodeva, Venerable Subāhu, Venerable Pūrṇaka, Venerable Gavāṃpati, Venerable Uruvilvākāśyapa, Venerable Gayākāśyapa, Venerable Nadīkāśyapa, Venerable Mahākāśyapa, Venerable Śāriputra, Venerable Mahāmaudgalyāyana, Venerable Kapphiṇa, Venerable Mahākauṣṭhila, Venerable Mahākātyāyana, Venerable Mahācunda, Venerable Pūrṇa maitrāyaṇīputra, Venerable Aniruddha, Venerable Revata, Venerable Kimpila, Venerable Amogharāja, Venerable Pārāyaṇika, Venerable Vakkula, Venerable Nanda, Venerable Svāgata, Venerable Rāhula, and Venerable Ānanda. All of these were elders.

A Buddhist idea for Halloween - the Demon chanting Nembutsu

Oni no Nembutsu - the demon
 chanting Nembutsu

If you celebrate Halloween and you are a Nembutsu follower you can make yourself and wear this image of Oni no Nembutsu or demon converted to Nembutsu teaching.
This Oni no Nembutsu is wearing the robes of a wandering priest, representing the idea that although blind passions might temporarily be overcame, their source remains in the heart of humans. However, we are saved by Amida Buddha exactly as we are, so the demon is actually assured of birth in the Pure Land.if he entrusts to Him.
The hammer that the demon holds in his hand and the tray hanged on his neck were used by some wandering priests to hold the rhythm during Nembutsu recitation.
Wearing this during Halloween (you can even beat the tray and recite Nembutsu) and explaining to people what it actually represents, you can help others make a connection with Amida Buddha.  Even Halloween can be an occasion of spreading Amida Dharma, if you chose to celebrate it. 

Have fun! 😃

Namo Amida Bu 

Pure Land poems by Gansen John Welch

Gansen John Welch

Gansen John Welch is a member of Amidaji temple and a close Dharma friend. He is also the narrator of my books. He already finished recording the audio version of The Four Profound Thoughts Which Turn the Mind Towards Amida Dharma (click here to listen) and The True Teaching on Amida Buddha and His Pure Land (click here to listen)

He is now working on the audio version of my newest book, The Meaning of Faith and Nembutsu in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism - click here to see the playlist. 

Here you can read about his spiritual journey - My Path to True Shin Buddhism

Here in this playlist you can listen to all his poems on Pure  Land Buddhism:

Beautiful religious gifts from Izumiya Company (Japan) for Amidaji temple

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT THE NEW UPGRADES AT THE TEMPLE 

Various religious items were sent to Amidaji temple by Izumiya Company (Japan) through Rev Oku Kyokai of Zuikoji temple (Osaka): two candle holders (rosokutate), two flower vase (kebyo), one metal incense burner (kanagoro), golden fabric to put on the altar table, and other beautiful things that are too many to mention. In these photos you see how I upgraded the altar of Amidaji with the new items.

I am very grateful for this unexpected presents and sponsorship.

Thank you, Izumiya Company and Rev Oku Kyokai.

Namo Amida Bu 

Thank you! Namo Amida Bu 

A short discussion on suicide by Pure Land followers

Victory Banner - symbol of the victory
of Buddha Dharma. People of shinjin are victorious
  over death and rebirth, because they entrust
themselves to Amida's Power, and are assured of birth 
in the Pure Land, so their last life as samsaric beings may
be one of service, helping others to entrust to Amida and 
be sure of birth in the Pure Land. 

Question by D.K.: Some ancient accounts tell of Pure Land disciples committing suicide in order to go to the Pure Land. I've heard some Buddhist scholars say that this is equal to killing a Buddha... because by killing oneself one is tampering with karma and because we ALL have a Buddha nature. Please tell me dear Rev. Josho what your take on this is. Namo Amida Bu

My answer: Killing oneself is NOT the same with killing a Buddha. This does not even worth discussing. All I can say is this - if one has shinjin (faith in Amida) the conditions of his death (suicide or other causes) does NOT matter because he will certainly go to the Pure Land. However, a person of shinjin can continue his life in human form to help others receive shinjin too, as Shinran advised, "receive yourself shinjin and help others receive shinjin". This is the attitude of our school, and not like those people from who knows what "ancient account" (definitely NOT from the account of our school!). 

What is the rush to go to the Pure Land by suicide, when we’ll certainly die sooner or later? Lets live a life of faith, try to be an example of faith for others, spread the Amida Dharma or help others spread it, and don't make society think that we are a sect of desperate suicidal people who can't handle life.

D.K.: I agree. I myself have entrusted myself and my karmic destiny to Amida. So my future in this realm of Samsara has been entrusted to Him.  I was just curious as to our school's view on this topic.

           

My answer: Certainly I have never seen in Shinran's writings any condemnation, or encouraging of suicide. But I clearly saw an encouragement to live a life of faith and helping others receive faith. This being the case, I gave the above answer.

Shushin Ioana Marinescu - Amidaji representative at the 19th European Shin Buddhist Conference

Shushin and Rev Sasaki
from International Association
for Buddhist Culture

Between 20^th – 24^th August the 19^th European Shin Buddhist Conference was held in Southampton, UK. Such Conferences are organized once in two years since 1986, in various places in Europe and are attended by representatives of all European sanghas. Guests from Japan, including the Shinmon-sama (next Patriarch of Hongwanji) or Zenmon-sama (the retired Patriarch) have always being present, too. I myself attended almost all these Conferences since 2002, gave lectures, held services there, etc.