Amida Buddha as the center of one’s life

While looking for another quotation for use in this post (never found it), I discovered this nice little article tucked away on the Jodo Shu Homepage, which continues to be one of my favorite Buddhist websites after all these years. The folks on this website often quietly add new features so from time to time, I find new stuff hidden there.

I found a nice article there, written by Rev. Hossu Tsuboi Shunei, Chief Priest of the main temple Konkai-Komyo-ji (金戒光明寺) in Kyoto, Japan.¹

The article provides a nice overview of Jodo Shu Buddhism, history and so on. Most of this is already familiar to me, but I liked the section at the end:

You can call on Amida Buddha by simply reciting the nembutsu, “Namu Amida Butsu.” “Namu Amida Butsu” means “Amida Buddha! May my emancipation be realized!” Amida Buddha identifies people who recite “Namu Amida Butsu,” look and listens to them, and then keeps the presence of those people in his mind. (This is referred to as “intimate relations” or “terms”) Finally, Amida Buddha appears in front of the people (this is referred to as “close terms.”) Even though Amida Buddha may be invisible, Amida Buddha tries to give more assistance to such people. Such people will be able to reach the goal of returning to the Pure Land after their death.

Honen stated that as long as you lead a “such a life,” you will never be imprisoned by any worldly attachments. This life advocated by Honen means a life in which you can co-exist with the Buddha and can rely on the Buddha for help.

Despite the fact we have 6 billion people in this world, and are inundated with plenty of news and information and entertainment, it’s amazing how many people feel cut-off and lonely in this world. I often feel the same way, so it’s refreshing to read something like this, and remember the beauty of Amida Buddha’s vows, and how we are never really alone.

Namu Amida Butsu

¹ Better known as Kurodani temple, as it was called in Honen’s time.