Happy Spring Ohigan 2011

“Bodhi mind comes from the mind of compassion: from respect for elders and a wish to save one’s loving mother, bodhi mind expands to a vow to save all sentient beings and seek the Buddha Way. It arises from the thought that others and oneself are the same, and that benefiting other sentient beings and cherishing oneself are also the same, which requires one to practice until one is willing to sacrifice oneself to benefit others.”

–Ven. Yin-Shun “The Way to Buddhahood“, pg. 218

For this spring Ohigan season, I originally planned to write something else, but in light of the terrible earthquakes in Japan and New Zealand, and the conflicts in Libya, Bahrain, Yemen and so on, I decided to talk about the notion of the Bodhisattva and the Bodhi Mind, two key features of Mahayana Buddhism, which includes Zen, Tibetan and Pure Land, among many others.

Buddhism is sometimes labeled by those who don’t understand it was negative, and escapist, but as the late Ven. Yin-Shun demonstrates, the only thing one escapes is their selfish view of the world, and the selfish (and ultimately vain) pursuit of gratification. A Bodhisattva is a very important figure in Mahayana Buddhism, a being who resolves for nothing less than full and complete Enlightenment, and to become a Buddha themselves. This is a long, and very distant path, and only achieved through the complete cultivation of the Six Perfections:

• Generosity
• Right Conduct
• Forbearance
• Endeavor, zeal
• Meditation
• Wisdom

Also important in Mahayana Buddhism is the Four Bodhisattva Vows, namely:

• To save all beings no matter what.
• To eradicate all mental afflictions and ignorance within oneself.
• To master all the subtle teachings of the Buddha-Dharma.
• To accomplish the Buddha Path no matter how long or how difficult.

But as Ven. Yin-Shun teaches, this is not a selfish path. As one gains a deeper understanding of the Buddhist teachings, one’s mind turns outward to those around us, and genuine compassion arises. It may be small and flawed at first, but it grows, strengthens and expands, because one realizes that one cannot live without other people, and that their happiness is our happiness (and vice-versa). That’s why you see great Bodhisattvas like Kannon or Jizo who devote their existence to relieving the pain and suffering of others, from the very mundane, to the profound and noble. If they did any less, they would not possess the Bodhi Mind. It is also said in Buddhist lore, that the Buddha Shakyamuni, in a previous life as a Bodhisattva sacrificed his body to feed a starving tigress and her cubs.

Thus, when we see the conflicts of the world, tragedies and such, their pain and grief belongs to all of us. But not just those who live far away. Many people within reach also are sad, stressed, agitated, or just greatly confused, and every little thing we do to help makes life better for all.

If you feel this task of saving others is impossible, if you feel that the problems of the world are too many, and keep happening no matter what you do, consider the example of the tiny stream that gradually wears down a mountain. Reflect on the Four Bodhisattva Vows if you can.

Thus, the closing mantra in the popular Buddhist text, the Heart Sutra, reads:

Gone, gone, everyone gone, everyone completely gone to the Other Shore [Enlightenment], Awakening Hail!

Even in such a simple mantra are profound Buddhist truths. It is even the subject of popular short-stories in Japanese literature.

So, as people everywhere rest a little and enjoy the lovely Yayoi weather during Ohigan, it’s a nice time to reflect and renew one’s Buddhist vows.

Nomaku Sanmanda Bodanan Baku