|
21600 Shaker Blvd, Shaker Heights, OH 44122
|
|
|
|
|
Next Shin Service: Sunday, February 20, 2022
Please check calendar for details
|
|
|
|
|
Dhammapada
Dhammapada, a collection of verses of Shakyamuni Buddha
|
|
|
|
| Walking Buddha, India, Kashmire, 8th century Cleveland Museum of Art |
|
| Fools: 64-65 |
|
|
Even if for a lifetime
the fool stays with the wise,
he knows nothing of the Dharma -
as the ladle,
the taste of the soup.
Even if for a moment,
the perceptive person stays with the wise,
he immediately knows the Dharma -
as the tongue,
the taste of the soup.
|
|
|
|
|
|
| New Year's Greeting From Gomonshu Kojun Ohtani |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Happy New Year, everyone! At the beginning of this New Year, I would like to extend my best regards to you all.
Over these past couple of years, we have had to adjust our lives in accordance with the scale of the spread of COVID-19. I would like to offer my deepest condolences to those who fell victim to the disease and express my sympathies to those who are undergoing treatment. I would also like to express my respect and sincere gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and frontline medical professionals who have been engaging in the treatment of infected people, as well as all essential workers who have made it possible for us to continue with our lives.
This infectious disease has not only greatly affected the life of each one of us, but also revealed many issues that had been contained in our society. Sakyamuni Buddha, who passed on the Dharma to us, made clear of the fact that we cannot see the truth because we are too attached to our own thought. Therefore, it is only natural that conflicts and divisions come about in a society in which those who, like us, fundamentally self-centered beings, act in accordance based on one’s own thought.
In the following wasan poem, Shinran Shonin deeply reflected on himself and described what we humans are like,
Although I take refuge in the true Pure Land way,
It is hard to have a true and sincere mind.
This self is false and insincere;
I completely lack a pure mind. (Hymns of the Dharma-ages)
As the wasan shows, we are basically incapable of accepting the reality of this world, such as, dependent origination, impermanence, and no-self. And because of this we constantly suffer. Only through being aware of and appreciating Amida Buddha’s compassionate and salvific working, are we enabled to accept our true self. Shinran Shonin clarified that such ignorance is the very reason why Amida Buddha’s salvific working has reached every one of us. Keeping in mind that we are always embraced in Amida’s compassionate Light, let us live each day to the fullest, even though we have yet to see the end of the tunnel.
I feel truly assured hearing that many of you have been making efforts to share the Jodo Shinshu teaching within the greater society through various and innovative ways despite the current situation. It is my hope that your temples will continue serving as your spiritual home, and therefore, I humbly ask for your understanding and cooperation in support of your temples. I would like to conclude my New Year’s greeting with my heartfelt appreciation to you all.
January 1, 2022
OHTANI Kojun
Monshu
Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha
Kyoto, Japan
|
|
|
|
|
Excerpts of Buddhist voices across teachings, across continents, across time.
|
|
|
|
|
We Have An Umbrella
Rev. Kazunori Takahashi
I have served at Hilo Betsuin for two years. Before I moved to Hilo, some people said to me, “Oh, you are moving to Hilo. Hilo is really nice place, but it rains a lot. Even if you forget lunch, you must not forget an umbrella!” Therefore, my mind was ready for a lot of rain. After I lived in Hilo a while, contrary to my expectation, it didn’t rain too much. However, the second year was really rainy, so some people said to me, “This is the weather of Hilo. Finally, you were able to experience this rain.” I have become accustomed to this continuous rain gradually, and I got wet several times.
After such an experience, I remembered a story. In the history of Japanese Buddhism are famous Nembutsu followers called Myokonin, people who really rejoice in the Nembutsu teaching. Their simple words, poems and episodes make us aware of some important things and inspire us. I would like to share two episodes of Genza (1842-1930), a famous Myokonin.
The first episode occurred on a summer day when Genza worked outside and was caught in a shower. Since he didn’t have an umbrella, he was drenched with rain. He stopped working and left for home. On his way home, he encountered a minister who saw Genza drenched with rain. He said to Genza, “Oh, Genza, you got very wet, didn’t you?” Genza replied, “Yes, thank you very much. How grateful I am that my nose is pointing downwards.”
At first, this conversation might sound strange. However, if our nose point upwards, what is going to happen? The rain would fall into our noses, making us choke and suffer. Genza appreciated that he was able to avoid such a situation, even though he was wet so much. Also, he remembered the value of his nose pointing downwards.
Another episode of Genza took place on another hot summer day when somebody complained to Genza that it was too hot. Then he replied, “If outside is too hot, we have clothes to protect us from heat and sunshine. In case it rains, we have an umbrella. Oyasama always makes everything all right. How can we complain?”
Oyasama literally means our parent, but this word also refers to Amida-Buddha, which is immeasurable life and light. Genza realized that Amida Buddha always supports us, making us aware how every situation can be seen as appropriate even if we encounter some event that we feel unfavorable. Therefore, Genza was delighted that his nose was pointing downwards, and that his clothes and umbrella always provided protection. Thus, Genza always felt Amida Buddha’s compassion which embraces our lives, and was always grateful for everything during his life.
At the beginning, I mentioned the rain in Hilo. When I got tired of continuous rain, I remembered the stories of Genza. It reminded me of what I am provided with. Actually, thanks to the constant rain, Hilo has beautiful greenery and plentiful water. I knew I should appreciate this rain; however, it was hard to remember these facts every time. Even if I understand intellectually that I should appreciate it, and even if I learn from the stories of Genza, I tend to wish sometimes for the rain to stop and for the weather to be fine.
That’s why “Namo Amida Butsu” is essential. When we listen for the Amida Buddha’s compassion, it enables us to reflect on ourselves and causes us to view things differently. We can remember Amida Buddha’s working, while we say “Namo Amida Butsu”. Finally, we can appreciate everything in our daily lives. Shinran Shonin said this as follows.
Those who, hearing Amida Buddha’s Name,
Rejoice in it with reverence and praise,
Receive its treasure of virtues;
The great benefit acquired with one utterance is supreme.
(Hymns of the Pure Land)
The stories of Genza made me think that this continuous rain can remind us of some important things. Even if we forgot an umbrella on a rainy day, let us not forget “Namo Amida Butsu”.
Excerpt from: “The Taste of the Nembutsu,” published in 2016 by the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii, State Ministers’ Association. July 23, 2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sunday, February 20 - Service:
- 9:45 AM: Sitting mediation, all levels, including beginners: Meditation Leader, Greg Stepanic
- 10:30 AM: Shin Buddhist Sangha Gathering and Service: Rev. Anita Tokuzen Kazarian
February Memorial
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Sangha, one of the Three Treasures of Buddhism, is ours to experience
Join our Sangha gathering one time to explore, share and understand how Buddhist teachings benefit us and offer an alternative way of living this life, an alternative that liberates us from dukkha (suffering).
This is an opportunity to reflect on the Buddha Dharma, to understand how we move from dukkha to peace and how its wisdom and compassion brings calmness to this life.
What happens at a gathering?
We gather as an informal group. We may do sitting meditation, chanting meditation, recitations, pay respect to those who have gone before us, to one another and the Buddha Dharma (the teachings). The Sangha, one of the three treasures of Buddhism, gives us community and time to understand how Buddhism works in our daily lives. We may share our thoughts, experiences or not.
What does not happen?
We do not worship, we do not have petitionary prayer, nor do we have rules or regulations to judge us from one another.
Announcements:
- Please check the web page for schedule changes due to weather or Covid restrictions.
- Following Covid-19 Restrictions in Place Until Further Notice:
- Six foot distancing is expected at all times.
- People must be fully vaccinated to attend in-person Shin Service.
- Masks must be worn at all times throughout the entire building. Masks are available in the entry-ways for those who did not bring their own.
- Any person experiencing any possible Covid symptoms or has a known Covid exposure should exercise wisdom and compassion and not attend the in person Shin Buddhist Service.
- Please contact Rev. Anita for weddings, vow renewals and new baby introductions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Course Offering by Kenneth Tanaka
Shin Buddhism in the West and Beyond
(The Seven Phases of the Pure Land Way)
With Dr. Kenneth Tanaka
Online Course on Shin Buddhism
Starts February 2022
In this once a month ten-part course, I hope to build on the original Ocean book to present a deeper and fuller dimension of this tradition. This course offers a “birds eye view” through the lens of the story of the “Sailor and the Ocean.” This approach makes it easier to understand the uniqueness of Shin Buddhism, which many find difficult to grasp when it is described as “a form of Buddhism in which a person is saved merely by reciting the Name.”
This course is for those who want to learn more about (1) Shinran (the founder of Shin Buddhism), (2) the deeper meaning of Amida, Pure Land, Shinjin, Nembutsu, practice, social engagement, and other main teachings, and (3) tips to deal more effectively with the ups and downs of ordinary lives: family, work, school, and human relations. It is also meant for those who (1) experience the challenges and difficulties of living, (2) have become more aware of their personal imperfections, and (3) are in a sincere search for greater meaning and fulfillment in their lives.
If you are interested, please join others with similar aspirations as we share our stories and support each other in our struggles and hopes in order that “we may all attain perfect peace”!eddings, vow renewals and new baby introductions.
Click Here to Register for the Overflow Course
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Free and Online (click image to learn more) |
|
|
|
| Eastern Buddhist League (click image to learn more) |
|
|
|
|
Register, for free, today
Join in any or all of the sessions; visit with friends from eastern United States and Canada – a cozy way to spend a winter week-end!
|
|
|
|
|
