Editor's Note - This is an excerpt from the February 2010 issue of the Buddhist Wheel

In our daily lives, we always think we can get whatever we want. For example, many people desire money, big houses and expensive cars. A man may wish to have a girlfriend or wife. A woman may want to have a boyfriend or husband. Others may seek honor or high position in our society. Some people are able to achieve these goals, but others may not. Can we have true happiness by getting everything we want?

The mission of this scholarship award is to (1) grant financial support to deserving Shin Buddhist youths in their pursuit of higher education and (2) concomitantly enhance their practice of and commitment to Shin Buddhist principles and teachings throughout their lifetime.

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Hilo Buddhist Friendship Society
398 Kilauea Avenue
Hilo, Hawaii 96720

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Editor's Note - This is an excerpt from the January 2010 issue of the Buddhist Wheel

“Immeasurable Light and Life.”

At the beginning of the year, I would like to send you my greetings from Hongwanji in Kyoto.

Editor's Note - This is an excerpt from the December 2009 issue of the Buddhist Wheel

Hello, everyone. How are you?

Today, I would like to share a proverb of Shinran Shonin with you. Shinran Shonin says, “Even a good person can be born in the Pure Land, how much more so an evil person!” When we hear these words, we think that they lack in common sense. But Shinran Shonin is not a person who lacks common sense. He admits this idea is really quite contrary to the way people usually think. That is why he says, “However, people commonly say, [Even an evil person can be born in the Pure Land, how much more so a good person!]” The reason he said that is Shinran Shonin saw an inner contradiction in the various efforts of religious people: they were all done in the expectation of egoistic benefits. Shinran recognized good deeds could be poi sonous and obstructions to enlightenment when done with the proud awareness that they were good. He realized the fulfillment of Amida’s Vow to save all suffering beings was not dependent on their performance of good deeds. However, Shinran Shonin should not be misinterpreted here as rejecting doing good deeds. Please don’t misunderstand it. Shinran Shonin considers a good person to be a person who believes himself as a good person. He considers an evil person to be a person who knows himself.