Search found 67 matches

by Zenshin 善心
Sat Mar 23, 2013 9:41 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: First time
Replies: 8
Views: 2749

Re: First time

Hey Greg, i lived there for half a year before coming to Japan and living now at the head temple, Shogyoji. They are very welcoming there and i'm sure they'll be happy to answer any questions you might have. Please say hi to Kemmyo-sensei and Kenshin-san for me and feel free to pm me if you want to ...
by Zenshin 善心
Fri Jan 11, 2013 1:48 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: The Esoteric Amida
Replies: 6
Views: 3773

Re: The Esoteric Amida

interesting, cheers for the share :smile:
by Zenshin 善心
Tue Jan 08, 2013 4:17 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Sukhavati & Heaven: The Difference?
Replies: 30
Views: 8767

Re: Sukhavati & Heaven: The Difference?

Great video! But still I can't get it. We talk about Pure Land beyond heavens, beyond Samsara and beyond rebirth, but still in existence in this physical world, just in another galaxy far far away? Heavens seems more realistic in the sense that we can't see them because they are more subtle, not of...
by Zenshin 善心
Wed Nov 14, 2012 12:30 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Shantideva and Other Power
Replies: 3
Views: 1881

Re: Shantideva and Other Power

I love Shantideva! thanks for sharing (oh, and welcome bty!) It reminds me of Shinran Shonin's words from the Shoshinge for some reason - Amida Buddha is the sun, illuminating all, And has already broken through the darkness of our ignorance. Still the clouds and mists of greed and desire, anger and...
by Zenshin 善心
Tue Nov 06, 2012 12:11 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Pure Land practice and community for the isolated
Replies: 2
Views: 1843

Re: Pure Land practice and community for the isolated

I do find the literalist/"modernist" argument as to whether Amida and the Pure Land are metaphors for Dharmakaya or literally real to be often misguided (it is not a matter of "either/or" but, IMHO, is really more about being that and MORE). :good: info - Three Wheels Temple, Lo...
by Zenshin 善心
Tue Nov 06, 2012 12:02 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: What do you think of, just before you start reciting?
Replies: 8
Views: 2470

Re: What do you think of, just before you start reciting?

some of the time - everything that has been done for me by others.
most of the time - blind passions.
by Zenshin 善心
Fri Oct 12, 2012 11:59 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Why did you choose Buddhism?
Replies: 98
Views: 27085

Re: Why did you choose Buddhism?

there are two ways to answer this question. the first way, i can tell you about my history and background and why i chose Buddhism. but as a nembutsu-sha (and maybe this could apply to other traditions too, i don't know enough to say for sure) i feel it would be dangerously arrogant and presumptious...
by Zenshin 善心
Fri Sep 28, 2012 2:11 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Pure Land & Suicide
Replies: 50
Views: 13444

Re: Pure Land & Suicide

Why don't Bodhisattvas out of compassion let it be known who they are and in the mean time perform supernatural abilities like Jesus supposedly did in order to instill faith in the skeptical masses, so that way more people can see Buddhahood as a worthy goal to accomplish? what could be more miracu...
by Zenshin 善心
Thu Sep 27, 2012 12:54 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Pure Land & Suicide
Replies: 50
Views: 13444

Re: Pure Land & Suicide

Ok, So we seem to be reaching consensus that beings do indeed come back from the Pure Land to help other beings. But what about Shin Buddhism which teaches that the Pure Land is the final aim. A Shin buddhist, who believes in the literal metaphysical reality of Amida and the WPL, also believes that...
by Zenshin 善心
Wed Sep 26, 2012 4:01 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Pure Land & Suicide
Replies: 50
Views: 13444

Re: Pure Land & Suicide

see sig.

also, Shinran saw his wife Eshinni and Prince Shotoku as Kannon Bosatsu and his master Honen as Amida. When you receive a heart of gratitude, you realise Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are all around you, carrying you to the Pure Land.
by Zenshin 善心
Sat Sep 15, 2012 2:27 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Credible shin authors: who's who?
Replies: 6
Views: 2468

Re: Credible shin authors: who's who?

Hi Dan, you'll hear varying opinions but perhaps it's best to read widely and decide for yourself. In the meantime, some primers and sites - Buddhism of the Heart - Jeff Wilson The Essential Shinran - Alfred Bloom Buddha of Infinite Light - DT Suzuki The Buddha's Wish for the World - Monshu Koshin O...
by Zenshin 善心
Fri Sep 14, 2012 11:32 pm
Forum: Announcements
Topic: Back online and upgraded!
Replies: 48
Views: 17427

Re: Back online and upgraded!

thanks David.
by Zenshin 善心
Fri Sep 14, 2012 11:29 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: What is shin buddhism? IS it monotheistic?
Replies: 16
Views: 6086

Re: What is shin buddhism? IS it monotheistic?

But I also think it is important to behave or try to behave well and be compassionate, kind, patient and etc to others. Especially after we find out that we have received the great gift that Amidha buddha has granted us. Thanks and peace to you. Dan No arguments here, but are we doing it for the do...
by Zenshin 善心
Wed Sep 12, 2012 3:00 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: What is shin buddhism? IS it monotheistic?
Replies: 16
Views: 6086

Re: What is shin buddhism? IS it monotheistic?

I find it hard to swallow that all I have to do is have faith and I can still be a bad person and receive salvation. Hi Dan, it's very easy to slip into misconceptions about Shin, especially when new to it, but even still after many years! It's not as simple as a 'whatever bro, just have faith and ...
by Zenshin 善心
Wed Jun 20, 2012 4:30 pm
Forum: Dharma in Everyday Life
Topic: Asked to join Christian Prayer; Need Advice Please
Replies: 29
Views: 6113

Re: Asked to join Christian Prayer; Need Advice Please

Paliut wrote: Others can approach it differently, I decided to this. For me, my mother, and others.
:good:
by Zenshin 善心
Wed Jun 20, 2012 4:26 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: What is your opinion? The nembutsu & following other faiths
Replies: 16
Views: 3912

Re: What is your opinion? The nembutsu & following other faiths

what's in a person's heart? if his faith helps him to face himself and others with an honest and open heart, to acknowledge his own flaws and forgive others theirs, then I struggle to place a declaration of a given religious/spiritual adherence as more important. Amida-samma embraces all. Embracing ...
by Zenshin 善心
Sat Jun 16, 2012 1:55 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: why i say the nembutsu...
Replies: 14
Views: 4035

why i say the nembutsu...

i don't say the nembutsu for my birth in the Pure Land that was already accomplished by Dharmakara Bodhisattva aeons ago i say the nembutsu because some people infuriate me i say the nembutsu because i lose my temper about petty shit i say the nembutsu because i use people i say the nembutsu because...
by Zenshin 善心
Tue Apr 24, 2012 4:01 pm
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: How to cultivate a Bodhi mind?
Replies: 27
Views: 7177

Re: How to cultivate a Bodhi mind?

A paramount theme in the thought of Shinran is his profound concern that our individual salvation not be considered separately from the aspiration to realize the salvation of all beings. Consonant with Amida's Primal Vow, where the Tathagata declares that he will not enter Nirvana unless he can sim...
by Zenshin 善心
Tue Mar 20, 2012 12:43 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: Understanding SHINJIN by Paul Roberts
Replies: 39
Views: 10684

Re: Understanding SHINJIN by Paul Roberts

steveb1 wrote: I am no scholar. But to this point in my studies, I remain unaware of any Shin adherent who was converted solely by reading scripture, whether or not it was read in a literalistic manner.
Honen Shonin.
by Zenshin 善心
Tue Mar 20, 2012 12:37 am
Forum: Pure Land
Topic: zen and pureland views
Replies: 23
Views: 5864

Re: zen and pureland views

a story and a quote - this zen monk is walking along the road when he sees an old lady coming the other way. knowing her to be a nembutsu-sha, he thinks he'll have some fun. "morning grandma, off to the Pure Land are we?" the old lady says nothing but nods her head. "and Amida is ther...

Go to advanced search