The Way of the Myokonin

Sometimes it takes a karmic slap in the face to re-evaluate what is truly important and what is psychological and emotional chaff. In the past few weeks I've had to take a personal inventory of my situation and I've come to the conclusion despite all of my best intentions we all simply at the mercy of Amida's Primal Vow.

The past few weeks I have spent more time chanting as well as reading the Pure Land Sutras, Shinran and the poems of Asahara Saichi.

Saichi's poems and insight have lead me to understand that all we can do is our best and leave the result regardless of the outcome to Amida's boundless grace. All of our worldly endeavors are but chaff in the wind and all that remains are the results of Amida's vow. The Poet Saichi wrote:

Suffering in heart, are you doubtful of Amida’s compassion?

That would truly be a great misunderstanding.

The suffering of this evil man becomes a great treasure.

Please understand the point of this teaching.

Namuamidabutsu is truly mysterious.

What is mysterious is that

Sea, mountains, food, lumber for building houses,

And everything else related to the life of an ordinary man,

All these are an embodiment of Namuamidabutsu.

Everyone, please understand this well.

This is the compassion of the Parent.

Such kindness fills me with joy!

Namuamidabutsu, Namuamidabutsu!

The Tathagata possesses a truly mysterious power:

The means to turn Saichi into a Buddha.

Namuamidabutsu, Namuamidabutsu.

~Saichi

All we can do is live simply with heart, have faith in the vow of Amida Buddha and embrace all others with the same light and compassion that Amida Buddha embraces ourselves. How can we even think we can enter the Pure Land when we treat others with less compassion then we demand of ourselves? How can we enter the Pure Land when we can't see the suffering of others as part of our own? How can we enter the Pure Land when we confuse apathy with detachment or refuse to see all sentient beings as having an equal place in Amida's heart?

Live simply, respect all and chant Namu Amida Butsu with a humble heart and see all sentient beings as being embraced in the heart and vow of Amida Buddha. Then we can be worthy of walking the path of the Myokonin, the wondrous people.