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Living the Life of Ingratitude
Living the Life of Ingratitude Lacking even small love and small compassion, I cannot hope to benefit sentient beings. Were it not for the ship of Amida’s Vow, How could I cross the ocean of painful existence? —Shinran Shōnin, Gutoku’s Hymns of Lament and Reflection, CWS I, page In today’s Dharma Story Time, the wonderful…
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Put on your Amida Face!
Dharma Talk at Makawao Hongwanji, Maui, Hawaiʻi, on June 13, 2021. 「和諺愛語」”Wa Gen Ai Go” is an excerpt from the Sutra of the Tathagata of Immeasurable Life that refers the “peaceful countenance” and “gentleness in speech” of Amida Buddha with all people regardless of wealth, power, or education. Rev. Kerry shares a story about how…
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Stars Over Makawao, June 9, 2021
Splendor of an Evening Sky (Seiya) Splendor of an evening sky,Who can ever fathom its timeless mystery?Million eyes, when sparkling brightIn the sable sky,Touch my heart, my lonely heart, with serenity. More than all the countless sandsGanges river holdsAre the infinite Buddhas who fill this universe,Ever watchful over us, Throughout day and night.Hearing this, my lonely…
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“A Mother’s Tears” Memorial Day Dharma Talk 2021
Rev. Kerry reflects upon the Dharma reality-as-it-is that Memorial Day begins and ends with “A Mother’s Tears”. Full text of the Dharma Talk is below the video. This Dharma Talk was recorded LIVE FROM MAKAWAO! at Makawao Hongwanji Buddhist Temple on Maui on May 30, 2021. Let us live happily then, hating none while in…
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Nembutsu Smiles
Let us begin by reflecting upon the wisdom, the Dharma, of Shinran Shōnin, founder of Jodo Shin Buddhism and the Hongwanji tradition. Persons who truly realize shinjinas they say Amida’s NameBeing mindful of Buddha always,Wish to respond in gratitude to the great benevolence. Shinran ShōninHymns of the Dharma Ages, verse 30The Collected Works of Shinran,…
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Baby Buddha’s Birthday Party: The Story of Hanamatsuri
Dharma Talk for Children at Makawao Hongwanji Buddhist Temple in Historic Makawao Town on the beautiful island of Maui in the great State of Hawaiʻi. Ever wonder why we pour “sweet tea” over a statue of the Baby Buddha in a “flower palace” for “Hanamatsuri” every year? Rev. Kerry explains the meaning and significance of…
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The Pain is ME: You’re Only Human
Aloha kakou! Aloha everyone! Ohayo gozaimasu! Good morning! Let’s begin with wisdom of Shinran Shōnin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu. My fervent wish is this: Whether monk or layperson, when on board the ship of the great compassionate Vow, let pure shinjin be the favorable wind, and in the dark night of ignorance, let the…
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