{"id":625,"date":"2014-12-05T21:20:21","date_gmt":"2014-12-05T21:20:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/olioweb.me.uk\/wordpress_marcus\/?page_id=625"},"modified":"2024-08-19T15:11:01","modified_gmt":"2024-08-19T15:11:01","slug":"three-shin-meditations-in-haiku-form","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.olioweb.me.uk\/marcus\/?page_id=625","title":{"rendered":"Three Shin Meditations in Haiku form"},"content":{"rendered":"

During a recent seminar held at the Japanese Jodo-Shinshu temple in D\u00fcsseldorfand given by Reverend Professor Hoyu Ishida of Kyoto, Marcus composed three pages of thoughts inspired by the teaching of this lesser known Buddhist school and made more interesting by the inclusion of themes with which his readers are familiar.
\n(See also Learning to Say The Nembutsu<\/a>)<\/p>\n

\n

HAIRY HAIKU FOR HO-ON-KO<\/strong><\/p>\n

To the eight Shin priests of D\u00fcsseldorf<\/em><\/p>\n

This is a new beginning, a fresh start. I will be brave and cheerful.
\nToday’s first task – to overcome my guilt feelings for getting up late.
\nThis is the world into which I chose to be born, and I accept it.
\nAre we not advised to say the nembutsu<\/em> with joy and gratitude?
\nAfter Namo Amida Butsu <\/em>I cannot do anything wrong.
\nNamo Amida Butsu –<\/em> a feeling of wellness overcomes me.
\nThe pressures of the outside world no longer cause bother or trouble.
\nAmida is aware of my poor condition and flies to my aid.
\nThink of enjoyable situations in the past and cherish them.
\nAmida vows to save everybody and everybody is me.
\n‘Samsara’ is nothing more than the normal process of birth-and-death.
\n‘Non-duality’ consists of rising above ‘me’ and ‘the other’.
\nBuddhahood is the natural state of every sentient being.
\nEverything is perfectly all right as it is, and that includes me.
\nFear of the undefined future, known as worry, is a time-waster.
\nFoolish, ignorant person that I am, I possess great qualities.
\nThe important thing is to feel good at this very moment in time.
\nFeeling good is a deposit in the savings bank of happiness.
\nMix with people who make you feel good and benefit from their goodness.
\nIf saying nembutsu <\/em>makes you feel good, why! go ahead and say it.
\nAfter trying everything under the sun Honen chose nembutsu.<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

DUSSELDORF AND AFTER<\/strong><\/p>\n

(haikuesque sketches)<\/em><\/p>\n

Lost in emptiness he aimlessly wanders round the temple garden.
\nThe most important thing is to awaken the Buddha in oneself.
\nAbsolutely nothing can resist the power of Amida’s Vow.
\nLet your nembutsu be humble, sincere, devout, meaningful and true.
\nShin Buddhism- a universal message of love and tolerance.
\nDo I love myself enough to be called Amida’s true follower?
\nContinuous nembutsu practice eliminates anxiety.
\nOn the Way Home:
\nLeaving the temple behind he drags his suitcase back to samsara.
\nOutside Starbucks caf\u00e9 \u00a0at D\u00fcsseldorf station: ‘Nothing can go wrong.’
\nI am a member of the human family – always re-member!
\nEveryone’s all right exactly the way they are – no-one needs changing.
\nBack in Bruges:
\nToday I’ll make an effort to be sweet-tempered and non-judgmental.
\nGrouching gets us nowhere – let me make a supreme effort to feel good.
\nNo need to think what other people think or enjoy what they enjoy.
\nWith resolute faith in Amida everything becomes possible
\nand ten times more enjoyable. Action is effortless and easy.
\nPowerful feelings of gratitude make the meanest task a pleasure.
\nBeware of negativity – it creeps in when you least expect it.
\nWarm with Amida’s love I head forth boldly into the cold grey town.
\nMy one nembutsu was strong enough to embrace the whole of Belgium.
\nShow your friends the life of nembutsu \u00a0is one of joy and gratitude.
\nA form of detachment is the key to successful relationships.
\nUnbelievable winter night! I’m alive and saying nembutsu.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

NEGATIVE TO POSITIVE<\/strong><\/p>\n

to my 3 major buddies, who always understand me<\/em><\/p>\n

Although I love the home I live in I’m still only a visitor.
\n‘Not one evil can obstruct the working of Amida’s Primal Vow.’
\nSaved by the Buddha I become a Buddha – meaning ‘I’m awakened’.
\nLet me remind myself – whatever I do or don’t do is all right.
\nRespect yourself – and be sure to respect everybody around you.
\nThe seeds of Buddhahood are within us all – let us remember this!
\nAs far as Amida is concerned I’ve never done anything wrong.
\nAfter this I cannot help saying twenty or thirty nembutsus.
\nNembutsu is my way to change from negative into positive.
\nIs my imperfect body a reflection of an imperfect mind?
\nThirty five prisoners in a Colombian jail commit suicide.
\nOtherwise, this saha world \u00a0continues to tick along happily.
\nBefore I die I want to say nembutsu for every living soul.
\nThe best way to ‘live in the now’ is by feeling constant gratitude.
\nThanks, Amida, for always embracing this bombu without hindrance.
\nAnother grey lifeless December day to jazz up with nembutsu.
\nNamo Amida Butsu – without you, my plans fall into water.
\nThe ‘average man’ (me!) has a head full of preposterous ideas.
\nEverything is to be enjoyed – most of all this melancholy mood.
\nForget your self, \u00a0forget the Other, just focus on what you’re doing.
\nLet the day unfold according to Amida\u2019s inscrutable plan.
\nHelped by countless Buddhas I meditate upon Maria’s muesli.
\nCome, Kuan Yin, whenever you want – I’m ready for a trip to the Pure Land.<\/p>\n

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