The cloud of light is unhindered, like open sky;
There is nothing that impedes it.
Every being is nurtured by this light,
So take refuge in Amida, the one beyond conception.–Shinran, Jōdo Wasan hymns
Hello,
This post is an attempt to explain the Jodo Shinshu approach to Amida Buddha. I’ve mentioned this before in passing, but a debate recently came up on E-sangha about Amida Buddha in Jodo Shinshu Buddhism when someone cited a helpful article by Dr. Haneda. I’ll let you read the article for yourself, but to me, two things stood out:
- By focusing on Amida not the historical Buddha, it gets people out of the trap of “did the Buddha really say this?” or arguments about which sutras are historically accurate or not. According to Dr. Haneda, this is what the Mahayana Buddhists tried to do in writing new sutras: break the trend toward dogma and ossification.
- Dr. Haneda views Amida as a timeless, idealization of Shakyamuni Buddha the founder. It’s interesting to note that in the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life, the beginning describes the process where a Bodhisattva becomes a Buddha, and this process mirrors the life of Shakyamuni Buddha perfectly. I don’t think this is an accident.
Again, notice in the Buddhist texts that Amida is described as being:
- Very compassionate as the Pure Land path is available to all.
- The wisest of all Buddhas, hence the symbolism of infinite light.
- The true eternal Buddha, hence the symbolism of infinite lifespan. Near identical to Shakyamuni of the Lotus Sutra.
- Endlessly striving to save all beings. Note the descriptions of how Amida strove and strove endlessly to master various practices, and create the Pure Land.
These are all the same traits that Shakyamuni Buddha had, but in a more timeless quality. So when Jodo Shinshu Buddhist recite the nembutsu, or “hail Amida Buddha”, they are actually praising the real Buddha, not some made-up fantasy. We praise the Buddha and all the wonderful Dharma teachings that he embodies. This simple act of devotion has a great sense of humility, and also appreciation for the Dharma. When people stop appreciating the Dharma, stop appreciating the Buddha, then Buddhism becomes dead and tired for them.
I think this is why Dr. Haneda speaks of “dynamic” Buddhism. We develop a living relationship with the Buddha and the teachings that sustains us during good times and bad.
Namuamidabu
Hello, this blog is about my life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile / Koreaphile. Any useful information I can pass along will hopefully make the 
I’ve been there since the beginning, and it’s going to feel a little different to not have your blog as my regular stop. I’ve truly enjoyed this journey with you Doug and I wish you nothing but happiness.
“When people stop appreciating the Dharma, stop appreciating the Buddha then Buddhism becomes dead and tired for them.”
True, and this happens all time- to even the most devout. If this ever happens to you, I hope that these inspirational words will help remind you of the Teachings:
“May I be a guard for those who are protectorless,
A guide for those who journey on the road;
For those who wish to go across the water,
May I be a boat, a raft, a bridge.
May I be an isle for those who yearn for landfall,
And a lamp for those who long for light;
For those who need a resting place, a bed,
For all who need a servant, may I be a slave.
May I be the wishing jewel, the vase of plenty,
A word of power, and the supreme remedy.
May I be the trees of miracles,
And for every being, the abundant cow.
Like the great earth and the other elements,
Enduring as the sky itself endures,
For the boundless multitude of living beings,
May I be the ground and vessel of their life.
Thus, for every single thing that lives,
In number like the boundless reaches of the sky,
May I be their sustenance and nourishment
Until they pass beyond the bounds of suffering.”
The Way of the Bodhisattva: A Translation of the Bodhicharyavatara- Shantideva, Page 51
I will surely miss your posts! Keep this blog up, it has wonderful tidbits for others who are wandering across the web. Best of luck on your writing!
Oh… Well thank you and good luck to you. I’ve been following this blog for the last year, mostly as a lurker and appreciated it a lot. It has been to a lot of help and entertainment during that time. I wish you and your family well. Namu amida butsu.
Hi, Gerald sang,
anada no blog o aligado gozaimas.
sayonara.
Kuei-sen
Doug, I hate to see you go. I’ve enjoyed reading your posts. But I can’t disagree with you on spending less time on the internet to pursue other goals. I have been spending less time lately too since I have started taking psychology and lay minister training. I hope the best for you and your family.
Shinyo
Dear Doug, I have felt that this is the right move for you for a while and am glad to see you making it. I think a lot of the things you have been struggling with will find concrete solutions as you engage with them in your daily / family life.
See you soon, gassho, K
Wow, lots of responses so far. Thank you!
Jeannie: Indeed, you’ve been my longest and probably most devoted reader. Thank you for years of encouragement and good advice.
Arun: I guess I could still pop in now and then. We’ll see. In any case, I enjoy your blog quite a bit too. Keep up the good work!
Jeremias: I knew you were around.
Thanks for the best wishes, and hopefully we can meet someday. Namuamidabu.
Kuei-sen: Good Japanese, thank you.
I wish you the best with your children. I think you’re a good father.
Marcus: Don’t worry, you’ll see me on your blog a-plenty. I enjoy your info on Korean Buddhism, which is sorely lacking in the West beyond Seung-sahn’s efforts (and philandering). Hopefully we’ll meet in the UK someday too.
Michael: I know exactly what you mean. I love blogging, and it’s kind of hard to tear myself away, but I feel that there are things neglected that will benefit me in the long-run. Best of luck in your minister’s training. I hope to do that myself someday.
K: You are a very perceptive fellow, and I very much appreciate the good wishes. I am sure your advice is right, and we’ll see before long how things turn out. See you at Three Wheels.
For your amusement, I posted a “Buddhist” poem on Edit Red earlier today:
http://www.editred.com/Uploads/st_82565_Snow_Buddha
Hope you all enjoy.
Take care one and all!
Gerald:
You can always go for a sabbatical. There’s no need to stop something that can be of benefit to others.
Hear from you soon