Ⅴ01. The Resonance of Light and Life
Various religions try to preach the “truth” in their own words. But I think that truth is something that cannot be put into words. If someone were to say to you, “Explain the truth in a way that is easy to understand,” and you explained it in words that anyone could understand, you would probably be told, “The truth can’t be that easy to understand.”
Even if there is only one truth, I think there are many different words to express this. I believe there are many different ways to convey it.
When someone points at something with their finger, you don’t look at the finger itself, but at the thing in the direction the finger is pointing. If there is a finger pointing at the moon, you should look at the moon, not at the finger. Although there may only be one moon visible in the night sky, there are many fingers pointing at it.
Among the countless religions, there is Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhism). The sutra of Jodo Shinshu describes a land called “Jodo” in the far west, where there is a Buddha called “Amida-Butsu.”
This statement is what is called “houben” in Buddhism. Houben is a Buddhist term meaning a means to an end or a way of conveying.
Houben means trying to convey what is invisible and inexpressible in words and forms that we can understand. Houben aims to communicate to us the truth that is invisible and inexpressible.
Jodo Shinshu is a faith that is established by chanting the mantra (Buddhist sacred words) “Namu Amida Butsu” in one’s own voice. To put it in a bit more detail, it is a faith that is established by chanting the mantra “Namu Amida Butsu” to yourself and listening to the sound of the mantra with your own ears.
The “Namu” at the beginning of Namu Amida Butsu means to take refuge in or entrust oneself. The “Amida Butsu” at the end is the name of the Buddha. Amida means “eternal light and life.”
The origin of this mantra is based on a mythological story recorded in the sacred text called the “The Sutra of the Buddha of Immeasurable Life.” The scripture tells the story of its main character, a monk who becomes a Buddha named “Amida Buddha” by achieving all 48 vows.
We need to be aware that among these vows there is a special one.
That is the 18th vow.
This is called the “Honguan (primal vow).”
Please say my name.
That is my wish.
I will continue to make this vow
until you are aware of my wish.
This is the most important of the 48 vows.
In Jodo Shinshu, it is important that we believe this vow is directed at us and that we follow it with sincerity. Instead of wishing for something ourselves, focus on the fact that the wish is directed towards us.
I hear the vow of Amida Buddha, as told in that mythical story, as the sound “namamdhabud.”
This sound is the heart of benevolence, directed towards each and every one of us, trying to bring awareness to it.
Try to focus your awareness on that sound.
namamdhabud
There is a finger pointing to the shining moon in the night sky. The finger is illuminated by the moonlight.
However, we also know that the moon in the night sky does not shine on its own, but is illuminated by the light of the sun.
We also know that the sun is not the only source of light; there are countless stars shining in the universe.
It is said that in the universe, galaxies are made up of countless stars and shine brightly.
Astronomers say there are an infinite number of galaxies in the universe.
There are an infinite number of sources of light.
The universe is full of light.
Here is one of my fingers, enveloped in unlimited light that fills the entire universe.
Buddhist scriptures state that there is no place where light does not reach.
I see this finger of mine with eternal light.
namamdhabud
Eternal light and life is expressed as the sound “namamdhabud” through which it tells us of its existence.
Through the sound of ‘namamdhabud’ we may become aware that each of us is illuminated by eternal light.
Through the sound of “namamdhabud” we may become aware that we share eternal life.
We may connect our hearts across time and space.
namamdhabud
namamdhabud
namamdhabud
Through the sound of ‘namamdhabud’ we may become aware that each of us is illuminated by eternal light.
Through the sound of “namamdhabud” we may become aware that we share eternal life.
We may connect our hearts across time and space.
namamdhabud
namamdhabud
namamdhabud
Please become one with what you hear as the sound “namamdhabud.”
In this way, the sound “namamdhabud” will embody the Buddha.
Even though I myself cannot attain enlightenment, enlightenment is always with me.
I believe so with certainty.
namamdhabud
Ⅰ_Japanese Spirituality
01. Buddhism in Japan
02. Thanks to all living beings for my life here and now.
03. Becoming One with the Buddha
04. Light from the other shore
Ⅱ_The teachings of Buddha and Mahayana thought
01. HANAMATSURI -The Beginnings of Buddhism-
02. Anyone can become a Buddha, it depends on you.
Ⅲ_Prince Shotoku’s Buddhist Dharma
01. Buddha in Japan
02. Ideal of sincerity, courtesy, and harmony
03. What’s false? What’s truth?
Ⅳ_The true state of mind conveyed by Shinran
01. The Three Treasures of Buddhism
02. SHIN is PRASADA
03. Neither a monk nor an layperson
Ⅴ_Listen to namamdhabud
01. The Resonance of Light and Life
PHOTO:Kenji Ishiguro + TEXT:Hougu Kawakami = ”AMITA -lightandlife-“
