No Hocus Pocus
As Jodo Shinshu Buddhists, we shall seek to be mindful of our words and deeds, be responsible citizens of our society, and share with others the truth and reality of Jodo Shinshu. Understanding fully the principle of causality, we shall not practice petitionary prayer or magic, nor shall we rely upon astrology or other superstitions.
– From Kyosho: The Essentials of Jodo Shinshu
As the saying goes, “Time flies when you’re having fun.” August 1st marked the beginning of my thirteenth year as resident minister of our temple. Good thing we’re not superstitious about numbers or anything else. I’m looking forward to another fabulous year with you, filled with gratitude and joy. Along with our temple growth, we’ve laughed and learned together, and we’ve been there for each other through sadness and challenges. Thanks to your devotion, dedication, and hard work, and especially owing to your warm and welcoming spirit, you’ve made it possible for everyone who comes through our doors to encounter the Three Treasures of the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha.
Children who were starting grade school back in 2004 might be getting ready for college now. Think of all the learning that must have taken place over that time. Even if your school days were already long past when I arrived, I hope your spiritual life has continued to develop, causing you to truly flourish and lead a meaningful life.
The opening passage is from a one-page outline called Kyosho, or the basic Essentials of Jodo Shinshu. You can usually find it in the front of our service books. The tenets are fundamental to our way of living. Though we cannot always fulfill these aspirations, being aware of them, reflecting on them and allowing them to guide us is a sure and straightforward way of being brought to awaken genuine peace of heart not only for ourselves but for those around us too. We certainly need that in the world today.
As the last sentence in the opening passage indicates, ours is not a “belief” system. There are no gods or deities to pray to, no magic, no superstitions, no blind faith in the unknown. Rituals do not bring good luck or dispel bad luck. Luck is a creation of the mind. The principle of causality, on the other hand, is indisputable. Simply put, everything is dependent on everything else. You are the person you are and things happen as they do due to innumerable, ever-changing causes and conditions that make it so. Thinking of the endless interconnections, you come to realize that all life is a part of you, and that you in turn are a part of all life, either directly or indirectly.
With this in mind, the Golden Chain that we recite reminds us that our thoughts, words and deeds affect not only ourselves, but also others. Knowing this, how can we not aspire to be responsible citizens of our society? Ultimately, either all benefit or none benefit, whether regarding the well being of people or the general welfare of our planet.
Most of us probably mean to be “good” and mindful, but it’s very difficult to accomplish this to perfection. If we’re even a little bit mindful and honest with ourselves, we will see the reality of our true nature that often manifests instances of greed, aversion and selfish delusion despite our best intentions. Yet if we also awaken to the unbounded, unconditional compassion we receive from life just as we are, complete with our imperfections, we are brought to understand the wisdom of the oneness of life. This wisdom and compassion are encapsulated in the name Amida, from the Sanskrit, Amitabha (boundless light, equating to wisdom) and Amitayus (boundless life, equating to compassion). So, being mindful of the Buddha (literally, Nembutsu) is being brought to see that we have no recourse but to rely on the unlimited wisdom and compassion of infinite life, for we do not have the capacity to attain ultimate peace through our own calculations. Through this understanding, gratitude and joy spontaneously arise.
Once we test this within our own lives and find that it is indeed true and real, we can rest assured of ultimate peace, and end up naturally sharing it with others. Hear the teachings, reflect, let them speak to you and give your life meaning. No hocus pocus involved.
Namo Amida Butsu.
In gassho,
Rev. Patricia Usuki