There are many words associated with Jodo Shinshu that is used. We have heard thankfulness, gratitude, appreciation, thoughtfulness., right conduct, speech, livelihood, effort, mindfulness and meditation (reflection). Yet, we tend to forget about tolerance, guidance and dana (the act of selfless giving without asking for any-thing in return). These words are heard yet, are they remembered and followed in our daily lives?

We have heard these teachings, and still, we create and bring dissatisfaction into our lives. It is because of our blind passions of greed, anger, ignorance (lack of wisdom) and ego. This small word “ego” can be a barrier in finding our true self. We do not like to search within and see what is truly there. We merely find a temporary satisfaction in our blind passions, but they are fleeting like the seconds of a clock. We try and try to regain this experience of ecstasy that we felt, yet it is never the same the second time around. So we go onto other things thinking it will bring back that first taste of satisfaction. We are only human in search of what we think will bring peace, harmony and joy. Everything changes and never remains the same.

We overlook the meaning of these words mentioned above, until after the fact. However, if we stop and think of our appreciation to all that is given and shared, we may find that peace and joy. Yet, we are only human, and we are always off to the next adventure to find that “first satisfied experience”.

Prince Siddhartha gave up all his satisfactions. He left his luxurious castle, relinquished his to-be-reign as ruler, wife and child. He searched for our benefits of why there was so much suffering and sorrows. He faced starvation and thirst, yet he continued in search of the truth. He too fought internal and external temptations. As a Buddha, this once prince never looked back. Even today, we hear the teachings. Do we truly appreciate the Buddha’s efforts? There was no return to his luxurious life.

Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu also suffered. At the age of 9 years old, he went to live in a monastery. He was persecuted for teaching the Nembutsu and exiled to an unknown territory. He was unable to speak the dialect of the area and did not know the culture, yet he found a way. He continued to propagate his entrusting in the Buddha and the teachings. He fought his inner demons and questioned his path. Yet, he persevered to find the truth of our true self.

We make sacrifices every day and we do find some satisfactions. Yet, where and what are our actions of appreciation? Our action is a simple gesture, yet a most difficult task to accomplish. We share Nembutsu/Namu Amida Butsu, however our Nembutsu is more than thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation. It comes from a pure heart and mind. It is an action that expresses thankfulness, gratitude and appreciation and we always share our Namu Amida Butsu with a true heart and mind.

Gassho,
Rev. Seijo Naomi Nakano