Hi everyone,
Last weekend Satya and I handed over the day to day running of the temple to the new stewards. They are off to a fine start and I am happy to see them in their new roles.
Satya and I are still living here at the temple, for now, as we wait for our house sale/purchase to go through. I can confirm that moving house is one of the most stressful things one can do!
Below, a teaching on faith when times are tough. But first I want to mention that our amazing book groups are returning for the autumn. Join us in person or online to explore Buddhist books in a small group. All welcome. In October we’re reading The Way of Tenderness by Zenju Earthlyn Manuel and Living Nembutsu by Jeff Wilson. Details online here.
It’s easy to have faith when times are easy. It’s easy to feel the loving presence of the Buddha when you are supported by a loving family or friends.
We are taught that the loving presence of Amida Buddha is available everywhere, in every moment. We are taught that the light of Amida illuminates everything in every corner of the universe.
When we’re feeling alone and in pain having faith is more difficult. When we are at our lowest points it can hard to believe there is a loving presence beside us. How could there be when things feel this bad?
Shinjin is central to the Pure Land Buddhism that Shinran taught. Kenneth Tanaka writes that:
“[Shinjin] is a multivalent term that can mean “realization,” “entrusting,” “faith,” “joy,” and “confidence.” Most Shin writers render it “entrusting heart,” but I prefer “awakening.””1
Tanaka gives the analogy of a swimmer thrashing about in the ocean who suddenly realises that the water will support them if only they relax and lean back. Shinjin is the awakening of confidence in the power of Amida, which is the power of enlightenment.
This is what we can lose confidence in, in our darkest moments.
The world is unreliable. People are unreliable. We have been let down by loved ones in the past and we will be let down by loved ones in the future. Is it surprising that parts of us learn that it is dangerous to trust? Whenever we trust someone eventually they will disappear. Even if we have a long and happy relationship, it will come to an end as all things do at the point of death.
Amida Buddha is different. They are not going anywhere. When we can’t feel the loving presence of the Buddha it’s not that the Buddha has gone somewhere. It’s that we have lost confidence.
The ocean is always going to support us if we lean back. Sometimes we forget and start thrashing about again. But when we relax we are able to float again. The ocean was supportive all along.
As the great sage Honen said, the moonlight shines on everyone in the village. But only those who look up are able to see it.
This is what faith calls from us. To continue to believe that even when we can’t see the moon, or trust the ocean, that they are still there.
The Buddha’s light is always present.
Namo Amida Bu
Kaspa
To The Pure Land and Back, Tricycle Magazine https://tricycle.org/magazine/shin-buddhist-path/
So beautiful x
Such a beautiful evocation ❤️ and that picture from Taiwan is stunning. Namo Amida Bu x