A page for news, updates, reflections, pastoral letters and more.
With the wish to help all beings, may all my thoughts, words and actions
be void of attachment and ego.
May they arise from compassion and wisdom.
May they be imbued with wisdom and joy.
– from “Going Home to the Pure Land”.
Extract from Alfred Bloom’s book ‘Tannisho’, which is his commentary on ‘Tannisho’ – a summary by Yuiembo, a disciple of Shinran, of Shinran’s core teachings.
“More mystical or scholarly Buddhist teachers, in harmony with the nonduality of Buddha and the world, realized that there was no separate world of Amida, but that Amida may be the heart of the reality in which we live. For them the truth of the Pure Land and Amida Buddha is seen in the external aspiration of all humanity for a higher, more lasting spiritual existence. This aspiration is sometimes turned to pursuit of egoistic goals as the way to satisfy the deeper spiritual longings of the soul. Rebirth as the mythological-symbolic way of expressing enlightenment, takes place in the moment that one glimpses the true source of spiritual emancipation and realization. When one transcends his (sic) egoism, even for a short moment in his life, he senses the possibility of a new life. Our human problem is how to transform these occasional moments of spiritual exaltation and insight into a more permanent and enduring condition.”
SUSTHAMA KIM’S PASTORAL LETTERS
AMIDA’S 48 GREAT VOWS:
Introduction
In my statement of intent to the Order as part of the election process, I wrote that I would follow Amida’s 48 great vows to guide me. I would like to take some time to look at all the vows, where they come from and what they mean. These vows are found in the Larger Pure Land Sutra which was told by the Buddha on Vulture’s Peak. Continue Reading…
The 17th Vow
The 16th Vow
The 15th Vow
The 14th Vow
The-13th-Vow
The 12th Vow
The 11th Vow
The 10th Vow
The 9th Vow
The 8th Vow
The 7th Vow
The 6th Vow
The 5th Vow
The 4th Vow
The 3rd Vow
The 2nd Vow
The 1st Vow
Letter 2021:Our Box of Matches
KARANIYA METTA SUTTA
(Edited by Bhaktika and Sundari)
Lovingkindness, or metta meditation, is a traditional Buddhist practice that helps us to move from a sense of dislocation and isolation into more of a connection with ourselves and, ultimately, with all beings everywhere. The literal translation of the word metta is “friendship.” So metta means being a friend to ourselves and a friend to all of life. Its foundation is connection. Every action that anyone commits – even the most misguided and evil action – is an attempt to escape suffering. So we can wish that all beings, including ourselves, find the wisdom to see that true happiness is supported by love and awareness, and not by hatred and violence.
May all beings be happy and secure.
May all beings become happy in their heart of hearts!
And think of every being without exception: the weak and the strong, from the smallest to the largest, whether you can see them or not, living nearby or far away, beings living now or yet to arise – may all beings become happy in their heart of hearts!
May no one deceive or look down on anyone anywhere, for any reason. Whether through feeling angry or through reacting to someone else, may no one want another to suffer.
As strongly as a mother, perhaps risking her life, cherishes her child, develop an unlimited heart for all beings.
Develop an unlimited heart of friendliness for the entire universe, sending metta above, below, and all around, beyond all narrowness, beyond all rivalry, beyond all hatred.
Whether you are staying in one place or travelling, sitting down or in bed, in all your waking hours rest in this mindfulness, which is known as like living in heaven right here and now!
AMIDA BUDDHIST ORDER PRECEPTS (Revised December 2021)
CLICK HERE for a complete list of the new Amida Order Precepts that can be printed out for use in your practice.