Ⅴ02. Living Nembutsu
For me, religion is a compass (guideline) and a foundation (basis) to help me live my own life. For me, who lives a life filled with uncertainty and bewilderment, it gives me unwavering belief and a clear direction. It can be a lifeline and a net of salvation.
There are many different religions in the world, and each person has their own beliefs. I think that it is up to each individual to choose which religion to believe in or not believe in. However, I also think that people are free to convey their own religion with anyone they happen to meet.
The belief I practice is Shin Buddhism. It is a form of Buddhism in which I live my life true to myself, reciting Nembutsu in my daily life.
“Namu Amida Butsu” is written in six Chinese characters and can be recited as “na-mu-a-mi-da-bu-tsu,” “namoamidabu,” “nanmandabutsu,” or “namandabu.” I thought I would try to express the pronunciation of what I recite in alphabet form, so I wrote it as “namamdhabud.”
I believe there are three good points about living my life reciting Nembutsu in my own natural way.
First of three, it doesn’t cost any money.
This is important.
No matter how much I recite it, it’s free.
I can recite it as much as I like for free.
It is all-you-can-recite.
I am the resident minister of a temple, so I need money to run it. Therefore, I would be extremely grateful if you could give what you can within your means.
However, reciting the Nembutsu itself does not require any money. Reciting the Nembutsu is up to your own will, it is a subjective act. It’s not something that someone forces you to do. Of course, no one will charge you any money for this.
The second good point is that it doesn’t take much time. This is also important.
In today’s society, we all tend to be busy, and we are busy all the time.
However, reciting the Nembutsu itself does not take much time. Whether we recite the Nembutsu or not is up to each of us.
You can recite it anytime, anywhere: while doing housework, in between work, while doing yoga, taking a bath, when you wake up in the morning, or before going to bed at night.
I have always recited the Nembutsu in my living, so it has become a part of my life. When I burn incense all the time, the scent permeates my body. Like incense,it seems that reciting the Nembutsu also permeates my body.
Without thinking about it or consciously trying to recite, the Nembutsu began to come out of my mouth naturally. There’s no annoying hassle involved.
The third good point about reciting Nembutsu is that anyone can do it. Just say “namamdhabud”. That’s all we need.
Even for me, who can’t keep at anything, in that case, I can continue. So I think anyone can do it without any difficulty. I’m sure anyone can do it, whether they’re a child, an elderly person, a sick person, or a person with a disability.
If you don’t like saying it out loud, you don’t have to. All you have to do is recite the Nembutsu in your heart and listen to the voice with the ears of your own heart.
If you can quiet your mind and listen to that voice, you’ll be fine.
There is no set rule as to how many times you should recite. All you have to do is recite “namamdhabud” naturally and with an open mind, and listen to that voice in your heart.
All you have to do is quiet your mind, open your ears, and listen to that voice.
At your own pace, without any pressure, just a good feeling.
Around the 1960s, Dr. Daisetsu Suzuki, who introduced Zen Buddhism to the world, described the practice of reciting Nembutsu in everyday life as “Living Nembutsu.”
namamdhabud
namamdhabud
namamdhabud
I said you don’t have to say it out loud, but I think it would be better if you said it out loud a little.
The stress that has been building up inside will be released and you will feel refreshed.
I believe that reciting the Nembutsu naturally brings about positive effects in one’s life.
It helps you switch your mindset so that you don’t fall into a vicious circle of thinking.
It leaves me feeling refreshed, relaxed, and touches my heart.
My heavy heart will be purified, and I will feel peaceful and enriched.
That’s the effect it has.
It’s important to make an effort, but trying too hard isn’t good.
Relax your mind, release the weight from your shoulders, namamdhabud.
At the beginning of this article, I said, “There are three good points about reciting Nembutsu.”
However, in reality, there are countless benefits that far exceed human consciousness.
I perceive Namu-Amida-Butsu to mean “with those who have awakened to eternal light and life.”
I believe there is much we can learn from the Nembutsu, which has eternal benefits.
I would like to listen in tranquility to the voice of “namamdhabud” that I hear here now.
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
02. Living Nembutsu
PHOTO:Kenji Ishiguro + TEXT:Hougu Kawakami = ”AMITA-MEDITATION“
