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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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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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To Vaccine or Not to Vaccine, that is the Question
“To vaccine or not to vaccine, that is the question.” From a Buddhist perspective, there is no question: get the vaccine! Based on the Buddhist principle of ahimsa “non-harm,” protecting oneself and others from infection by receiving a COVID-19 vaccination is intuitively obvious. The Dharma of the Buddha’s Teachings consistently emphasizes causality, empiricism, and logical…
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“A Great Torch in the Dark Night of Ignorance”
Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii Online Dharma Message on November 1, 2020: “A Great Torch in the Dark Night of Ignorance”. Grateful for the opportunity to give an Online Dharma Message today—because it means I woke up not dead! In reflection, everything in my life has led me to this moment, every person I encountered…
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It’s not about ME
When a person realizes the mind of non-discrimination, That attainment is the “state of regarding each being as one’s only child” This is none other than Buddha-Nature; We will awaken to it on reaching the land of peace. Shinran Shōnin Hymns of the Pure Land, Verse 97 The…
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SHINJIN IS A VERB, NOT A NOUN: Arigatai, Mottainai, Namo Amida Butsu
Today, I would like to talk about … the “F” word. No, not that “F” word! I would like to talk about “Faith” — which is one of the ways the expression “Shinjin” is translated into English. “Shinjin” is the key doctrinal tenant of Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, the core of Shinran’s thinking, and often described…
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Nembutsu ga deru ka ne?
All Buddhists seek Enlightenment—awakening to the Truth, seeing Life as-it-is, not as-we-want-it-to-be. Unnecessary suffering in life is caused by the gap between reality—Life as-it-is—and perception—the self-centered delusion that Life should be as-we-want-it-to-be. When Life doesn’t unfold the way we want it to, we get angry, blame others for our disappointment, or whine about it on…
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Everything I Needed to Know about Buddhism, I Learned in Dharma School
I just love the song, “Buddha Loves You”…it’s supposed to be a children’s song but it makes Buddhism so easy to understand for anyone! Fly, fly, little bird, Buddha loves you little bird, Tweet, Tweet, Tweet-tweet-tweet-tweet tweet! Run, run, little pup, Buddha loves you little pup, Bow-wow, wow-wow-wow-wow wow! Don’t cry pussy cat, Buddha loves…
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ASPIRATION FOR THE NEW YEAR
I will try to be grateful for this moment, aspiring to see the world as-it-is, not as-I-want-it-to-be, so that I may alleviate suffering for all beings. I will try to be wise so that I can see both sides of conflict wth clarity, and not insist that I alone am right. I will try to…
JUST SAY MAHALO® 