Takamori-sensei's Message for 2015 (Part 2)
(Read Part 1 HERE)
The story of the development of iPS cells today is similar. Even if the principle by which a certain illness may be cured exists in the universe, without a doctor to discover it and create medicine accordingly, sufferers cannot be saved.
Having acquired the truth of the universe, Amida Buddha created the Name, Namu Amida Butsu, in accordance with his great compassionate wish to sever humanity’s suffering at its root and save all people into absolute happiness.
The six characters of Namu Amida Butsu can therefore be likened to a wonder drug that takes away the suffering of the human race and gives lasting happiness to all.
Master Shinran in particular is deeply touched by Amida’s salvation, which works by granting the Name to all people unconditionally. The following hymn is an emotive expression of this.
[Close translation]
Amida Buddha created the Vow as, unable to abandon sentient beings in distress, he perfected his mind of immense compassion to bestow the Great Virtue upon all.
[paraphrase 1]
Amida Buddha, who was unable to abandon all sentient beings in distress, created his supreme Vow with the sole purpose of saving one and all into absolute happiness by unconditionally bestowing the great virtue of Namu Amida Butsu that he had completed.
[paraphrase 2]
The sole reason why Amida Buddha created his supreme Vow and completed the Name was to bestow the great virtue of Namu Amida Butsu to all sentient beings in distress and save one and all into absolute happiness.
The truth of Amida Buddha consists in freely bestowing, this and nothing else.
Amida created the immense virtue of the Name, Namu Amida Butsu, solely because he could not abandon the sentient beings (all people) and leave them to flounder in the sea of suffering. Amida’s wish is therefore nothing other than to grant the Name, Namu Amida Butsu to all sentient beings.
Having heard the origin and outcome of Amida’s Vow, Master Shinran had been purged of all trace of doubt in the split second of hearing and believing. Simultaneously, he rejoiced and exclaimed through tears of gratitude: “Pondering the Vow of Amida, which rose from five kalpas of contemplation, I realize it was entirely for me, Shinran, alone.”
He went on to point us toward the singular path of listening to Buddhism with these words: “How genuine, the true words of Amida that embrace us and never forsake us, the absolute truth that is peerless and transcendent! Listen and believe without hesitation or delay.”
One lifetime is far too short to listen and believe Amida’s peerlessly profound Vow of great compassion and clarify it to others. However, let us devote ourselves this year to fervently listening to Buddhism at each and every opportunity.
Gassho
Source: The Buddhist Village Times #52 | 2015, Takamori-senseis Message for 2015 (Part 2)
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