Comments on: In it for the long haul http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/13/in-it-for-the-long-haul/ My life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile. Sat, 11 Jun 2011 01:53:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Kyōshin http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/13/in-it-for-the-long-haul/#comment-623 Kyōshin Sun, 15 Jun 2008 09:58:41 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-623 Gerald, re: 'anjin' check out Minor Roger's translation of Rennyo's letters. Gerald, re: ‘anjin’ check out Minor Roger’s translation of Rennyo’s letters.

]]> By: Gerald Ford http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/13/in-it-for-the-long-haul/#comment-619 Gerald Ford Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:04:26 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-619 Michael: Funny, I never noticed the gomyogo (the $10 scroll) at the BCA bookstore. That's pretty cool actually, and I like the nembutsu one myself. The one I got from Tsukiji was quite expensive ($200), but I think that's largely due to overall cost of living in Japan vs. US (in general everything's 3x more expensive there). It's nice and small too for our super-tiny apartment, but because it was costly I am a little nervous to touch or hold it. Baby likes the altar too, and actually waves to Amida sometimes. It's super cute. Still, a simple $10 one with a nembutsu design is a good choice too as a secondary altar somewhere else in the house. Have a safe trip by the way. Jeannie: Like I said before, I actually feel much better lately and a lot less stressed out doctrinal issues. The flurry of writing since yesterday seems to reflect a newfound enthusiasm I haven't felt in a long while, which is long overdue. :) Michael: Funny, I never noticed the gomyogo (the $10 scroll) at the BCA bookstore. That’s pretty cool actually, and I like the nembutsu one myself. The one I got from Tsukiji was quite expensive ($200), but I think that’s largely due to overall cost of living in Japan vs. US (in general everything’s 3x more expensive there). It’s nice and small too for our super-tiny apartment, but because it was costly I am a little nervous to touch or hold it. Baby likes the altar too, and actually waves to Amida sometimes. It’s super cute. Still, a simple $10 one with a nembutsu design is a good choice too as a secondary altar somewhere else in the house.

Have a safe trip by the way.

Jeannie: Like I said before, I actually feel much better lately and a lot less stressed out doctrinal issues. The flurry of writing since yesterday seems to reflect a newfound enthusiasm I haven’t felt in a long while, which is long overdue. :)

]]> By: michael http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/13/in-it-for-the-long-haul/#comment-621 michael Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:02:19 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-621 Personally, I see no glaring difference, As far as that goes, I have been considering as part of my morning and evening devotion to substitue sutra chanting on occasion with nembutsu chanting. I have a standard 108 bead mala and thought about using it for chanting either Na Man Da Bu or now maybe using the one you listed, Namu Amida Bu. Just something I've been considering for a while. I sometimes use Na Man Da Bu while walking. Personally, I see no glaring difference,

As far as that goes, I have been considering as part of my morning and evening devotion to substitue sutra chanting on occasion with nembutsu chanting. I have a standard 108 bead mala and thought about using it for chanting either Na Man Da Bu or now maybe using the one you listed, Namu Amida Bu. Just something I’ve been considering for a while. I sometimes use Na Man Da Bu while walking.

]]> By: michael http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/13/in-it-for-the-long-haul/#comment-620 michael Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:31:44 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-620 I don't recall exactly what it cost, but I think it was under $40 with shipping. Also, the BCA bookstore has a couple even smaller for $10. One is with Nembutsu scroll and the other with Amida scroll. These come with a carrying case and are only 2 1/8"H x 3 1/2"W. I personally like the one from Kaiundo. It's the perfect size for me since I live in a very small apartment and it folds up to put in a small box for travel. Speaking of travel, I will be away tomorrow until the end of the month. I don’t recall exactly what it cost, but I think it was under $40 with shipping. Also, the BCA bookstore has a couple even smaller for $10. One is with Nembutsu scroll and the other with Amida scroll. These come with a carrying case and are only 2 1/8″H x 3 1/2″W. I personally like the one from Kaiundo. It’s the perfect size for me since I live in a very small apartment and it folds up to put in a small box for travel. Speaking of travel, I will be away tomorrow until the end of the month.

]]> By: Jeannie http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/13/in-it-for-the-long-haul/#comment-622 Jeannie Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:01:31 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-622 Thanks for the post and for the link. I especially appreciated the Morning and Evening Devotions listed on the site. Long haul, eh? I am glad to hear it! Please try not to worry so much now. Just practice with a sincere heart, like you always do, and rest in the fact that it is enough. Thanks for the post and for the link. I especially appreciated the Morning and Evening Devotions listed on the site.

Long haul, eh? I am glad to hear it! Please try not to worry so much now. Just practice with a sincere heart, like you always do, and rest in the fact that it is enough.

]]> By: Gerald Ford http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/13/in-it-for-the-long-haul/#comment-616 Gerald Ford Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:35:56 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-616 Kyoushin: That's interesting. I've honestly never heard that here at the Betsuin temple, so that's new to me. :) In any case, I will definitely let you when we move over, and plan a date to visit the UK. My wife's excited to visit your temple as am I. Michael: Good point. Personally, I see no glaring difference, but I was worried someone might call me on it. In any case, the link you provided is really cool. These folding honzon are really cool. I noticed what appears to be altars from a few diferent traditions, so there's quite a bit to offer. How much did your's cost by the way? I don't know if I will buy one, but I am certain that the folks at our Betsuin will go nuts for them. Most are Japanese-Americans who inherited huge butsudan from the first-generation, but the younger generations (3rd, 4th generation) can't carry these things to college and stuff. When I brought back my little altar from Japan, people were coming up to me asking where to buy one themselves. Kyoushin: That’s interesting. I’ve honestly never heard that here at the Betsuin temple, so that’s new to me. :) In any case, I will definitely let you when we move over, and plan a date to visit the UK. My wife’s excited to visit your temple as am I.

Michael: Good point. Personally, I see no glaring difference, but I was worried someone might call me on it. In any case, the link you provided is really cool. These folding honzon are really cool. I noticed what appears to be altars from a few diferent traditions, so there’s quite a bit to offer. How much did your’s cost by the way? I don’t know if I will buy one, but I am certain that the folks at our Betsuin will go nuts for them. Most are Japanese-Americans who inherited huge butsudan from the first-generation, but the younger generations (3rd, 4th generation) can’t carry these things to college and stuff. When I brought back my little altar from Japan, people were coming up to me asking where to buy one themselves.

]]> By: michael http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/13/in-it-for-the-long-haul/#comment-617 michael Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:22:13 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-617 You mention using your Jodo Shinshu style alter for a Jodo Shu practice. They are similar in that both have Amida in the middle. Some Jodo Shu alters may have Zendo Daishi(Shan-tao) on the right and Enko Daishi (Honnen) on the left. Or may have Kannon Bosatsu and Seishi Bosatsu. The latter is similar to the Chinese version. I came across an interesting website a while back. They have a folding honzon. I bought and use the Jodo Shinshu one, but I think item #4700 is a Jodo Shu version. Here is the wesite: http://mysite.verizon.net/kaiundo/mitsuorihonzon.htm You mention using your Jodo Shinshu style alter for a Jodo Shu practice. They are similar in that both have Amida in the middle. Some Jodo Shu alters may have Zendo Daishi(Shan-tao) on the right and Enko Daishi (Honnen) on the left. Or may have Kannon Bosatsu and Seishi Bosatsu. The latter is similar to the Chinese version. I came across an interesting website a while back. They have a folding honzon. I bought and use the Jodo Shinshu one, but I think item #4700 is a Jodo Shu version. Here is the wesite:

http://mysite.verizon.net/kaiundo/mitsuorihonzon.htm

]]> By: Kyōshin http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/13/in-it-for-the-long-haul/#comment-618 Kyōshin Fri, 13 Jun 2008 07:18:47 +0000 http://level8.wordpress.com/?p=298#comment-618 Interesting - thanks. One minor point; we use the term 'anjin' in Shin too. It is common in Zendo (Shan-tao's writings) and was popularised in Shin by Rennyo (who was influenced by the Jodo Shu to some extent). It refers to the *same* condition as 'shinjin' but simply emphasizes a different aspect; the 'peaceful/settledness' of the mind rather than the 'clarified' aspect. p.s. keep me up to date on your Ireland move and do drop me a note with your address / phone number when you get there. Interesting – thanks. One minor point; we use the term ‘anjin’ in Shin too. It is common in Zendo (Shan-tao’s writings) and was popularised in Shin by Rennyo (who was influenced by the Jodo Shu to some extent). It refers to the *same* condition as ‘shinjin’ but simply emphasizes a different aspect; the ‘peaceful/settledness’ of the mind rather than the ‘clarified’ aspect.

p.s. keep me up to date on your Ireland move and do drop me a note with your address / phone number when you get there.

]]>