21600 Shaker Blvd, Shaker Heights, OH 44122

Our Shin Buddhist Service

Sunday, June 19

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, June Memorial

Following the Service: 

After our short coffee break, Prof. Suraj Chaudhary, from the College of Wooster, will lead a group discussion. The Way of the Bodhisattva by Shantideva will be the focus of his presentation.

Dhammapada

Dhammapada, a collection of verses of Shakyamuni Buddha

As an adult, the classic literature of children’s books has always held a special place for me. I remember my mother making up stories to tell when I was a very young child, and then reading to me when I was home from school, sick in bed. The illustrations were magical and the stories were adventures into times past, present or future. The lessons and fearful warnings of fairy tales and folk tales are legend. Most likely, you remember your own experiences when first hearing them.

As I was putting together this month’s Children’s Corner I realized we sometimes forget how simple the complex teachings of the reality of this world can be made for children. The quote from the Dhammapada saying: “When need arises, it is nice to have friends. Whatever happens, it is nice to be contented.” To be contented, isn’t that what we all want? And good friends, what are they for if not to experience contentment?

Let the child in you read the Children’s Corner, as your child self. It isn’t easy. The adult with adult experiences, expectations, opinions, judgements and demands keeps getting in the way. Then, if you want, think about your best friends, in this light.

Namo Amida Butsu

In gassho

Rev. Anita

rev.anit.cbt@outlook.com

You might encounter hardships or problems when you’re at school or out playing. It’s nice to know that friends will help you when you’re feeling down. For example, friends will make sure you are included in games, and lend you school supplies when you forget them at home. A true friend will be kind and help you when you are in need. A true friend will also be the first to warn you when you say something inappropriate or misbehave. Remember to help your friends whenever they need your help.

Excerpts of Buddhist voices across teachings, across continents, across time.

Shin Buddhism

by

Daisetz T. Suzuki

…The Pure Land and Amida are revealed on this earth, though not as taught by orthodox preachers. The Pure Land is not many millions and millions of miles away to the west. According to my explanation, the Pure Land is right here. Those who have eyes to see it can see it right here, even in this very hall. Amida is not presiding over a Pure Land beyond our reach. His Pure Land is this dirty earth itself. When I explain things in this way I am going directly against the traditional conventional Pure Land doctrine. However, I have my own explanations and interpretations, and perhaps after these lectures are over you will agree with them, though of that I cannot be quite sure!

A Japanese Shin Buddhist friend of mine in Brazil recently wrote to me, requesting that I write out the essential teaching of the Pure Land school in English for the Buddhists there. He wanted me to it present so as to make Amida and Pure Land doctrine appear somewhat similar to Christianity, at least superficially, and yet retain characteristic features of the Pure Land doctrine. (note: italics added) So I sent the following to him.… You might say I wrote it for my own edification.

First: We believe in Amida Butsu, Amitabha Buddha, a Savior of all beings, (“Savior” is not a word often used among Buddhists, it is a kind of condescension to the Christian way of thinking.) This Amida Buddha is eternal life and infinite light. And all beings are born in sin and laden with sin. (This idea of sin is to be specifically interpreted to give it a Buddhist color, which I will do later on.)

Second: We believe in Amida Buddha as our Oya–sama… Oya–sama, in this context, means love or compassion. Strictly speaking, there is no word corresponding to Oya-Sama in English… Motherly and fatherly qualities are united in Oya. In Christianity God is addressed as Father… But Oya-Sama is not in heaven, nor is Oya – Sama the father… Neither a “he” nor a “she.”…

Third: We believe that salvation (“salvation close quote is not a good word here but in trying to comply…) consists in pronouncing the name of Amida insincerity and with devotion. (This pronouncing the name of Amida may not be considered so important, but names have certain magical powers. When name is uttered, the object bearing that name is conjured up.)

In the Arabian Nights Entertainment, with the devil’s name is pronounced, the devil appears. Among some primitive peoples, the name of the supreme being is kept a secret. It is revealed only to those who have gone through certain rituals. The initiate is led by one of the elders of the religion into a dense forest where there is no danger of being overheard by anybody. Then the elder reveals the name to Him. By knowing the name, the initiate is now fully qualified as a leader himself. The name plays an important role in religious life.

Amida’s name is pronounced insincerity and with devotion. The formula is Namo Amida Butsu. Butsu is Buddha, namo means “I take refuge”: I take refuge in Amida Buddha. Or we may take namo as meaning adoration to Amida Buddha. It is a simple formula. There is nothing especially mysterious about it, and you may wonder how this name or phrase could have such wonderful power.

Now I have to say something about hongan. Hongan, according to my interpretation, is the primal will. This primal will is at the foundation of all reality. Hongan as expressed in the Sūtra of Eternal Life consists of 48 different vows, but all 48 may be summarized in one basic vow, or hongan, which is: Amida wants to save all beings. Amida desires to have all beings brought over to his land, which is the land of purity and bliss. And those who earnestly, sincerely, and devoutly believe in Amida, will all be born in the Pure Land.

This birth does not take place after what is called death. To sincere followers of the Pure Land, instead of being born in the Pure Land, the Pure Land itself is created or comes into existence when we sincerely pronounce Namo Amida Butsu. Therefore, instead of going over to the Pure Land, the Pure Land comes to us. In a way, we are carrying the Pure Land within us all along (note: italics added), and when we pronounce that magic formula Namo Amida Butsu, we become conscious of the presence of the Pure Land around us, or rather, in us.…

Excerpt, in gratitude, from Living in Amida’s Universal Vow: Essays in Shin Buddhism. Edited by Alfred Bloom. World Wisdom, Bloomington, 2004. Excerpt: Shin Buddhism by Daisetz T. Suzuki - D. T. Suzuki was the acknowledged person the Beat Generation looked to for bringing Zen Buddhism to the west. He was the Founder of the Eastern Buddhist Society; Professor, Otani University; Mahayana and Zen scholar-writer. In later years he concentrated on the study of Shin Buddhism. This excerpt is from a 17 page paper.

Photo by MI PHAM on Unsplash

Sunday, July 17 OBON Service & OBON FESTIVAL

What does not happen at a Shin Buddhist Service?

We do not worship, we do not have petitionary prayer, nor do we have rules or regulations to judge us from one from another.

Supervising Minister

Rev. Ron Miyamura

Resident Tokudo Minister

Rev. Anita Tokuzen Kazarian - rev.anita.cbt@outlook.com

Buddha Post is published by the Cleveland Buddhist Temple, 21600 Shaker Blvd, Shaker Heights, OH 44122

The Cleveland Buddhist Temple is an affiliate of the Buddhist Churches of America, founded in 1899:

https://www.buddhistchurchesofamerica.org/