Editor's Note - This is an excerpt from the December 2007 issue of the Buddhist Wheel 

Do you have a cell phone? Can you use it to its fullest extent freely and frequently? For me, the cell phone is used only to make phone calls and answer incoming calls. Other functions are too complicated and tiresome to use, so some may call me a dinosaur. On the other hand, younger generations can use their cell phones fully, freely, and frequently to the point where they may be labeled magicians with a cell phone.

Nowadays, the cell phone is considered the most convenient instrument of our time, and the most advanced ones are in Korea and Japan. These countries’ cell phones have many functions such as email, internet access, built-in cameras, music and movie playback, streaming TV, credit card capability, and infrared data exchange. With features such as these, the younger generations cannot live even a day without a cell phone.

As you know, Benjamin Franklin discovered electricity through his famous kite experiment. With such a breakthrough, many scientists and inventors followed his footsteps and created many inventions that are only possible with electricity such as the telephone (Alexander Graham Bell), movies (Thomas Edison), television (Ferdinand Braun), computers, and cell phones.

As mentioned earlier, currently the ultimate supreme instrument now is the cell phone with its many capabilities. However, if you want to use cell phones fully, freely, and frequently, first you need to read and follow the directions, and practice using it repeatedly. Even if you make mistakes, as long as you do not give up and abandon the features, you should keep trying until you are able to use the phone to its fullest without any problems.

Like the discovery of electricity and later inventions that used it, Buddhism can be said to have a similar path. Shakyamuni Buddha discovered the Dharma, or Teaching of the Buddha. Then, later masters clarified, revealed, and led us to the Dharma, such as the seven masters of Jodo Shinshu. Nagarjuna clarified the Dharma for easier practice, while Vasbandhu composed the discourse on the Pure Land. T’an-luan penned another discourse of the Pure Land, Tao-ch’o taught the three characteristics of entrusting, Shan-tao clarified the Buddha’s true intent, Genshin pointed out the difference between the Fulfilled Land (Pure Land) and the Transformed one, and Genku established the true essence of the Jodo-shu  (Pure Land) way.  Like the many other inventions that came to exist after the discovery of electricity, these masters of Jodo Shinshu brought further clarifications and advancements in the Teachings of the Buddha. Finally,  Shinran  Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu, simplified, clarified, and emphasized the  necessity  of   Shinjin,   which  is  the ultimate essence of the Nembutsu Teachings.

If you want the Nembutsu Teaching to be used effectively and meaningfully for your mental and spiritual life, just as you would do with a cell phone, you must listen and follow the guidance and direction of the Teachings. If you practice it over and over again without self-interpretation, then you will most assuredly receive and accept the meaning of the Nembutsu. This is why Shinran Shonin pointed out the Listening way as follows:

The word ‘hear’ means that sentient beings, having heard how the Buddha’s Vow arose – its origin and fulfillment – are altogether free of doubt." 

Shinran Shonin also emphasized how difficult it is to truly accept the Nembutsu Teaching in his poem.

“It is difficult to meet a true teacher
 It is difficult for them to instruct
 It is difficult to hear the Teaching well
 And more difficult still to accept it”

Through deep self-reflection in our daily lives, we should listen to the Nembutsu repeatedly without self-interpretation. Then we shall open up and appreciate the Nembutsu fully so that we can spend our lives more fruitfully, meaningfully, and mindfully. If you have any difficulty appreciating the Nembutsu, please listen to and do not hesitate in asking your Resident Minister, your Nembutsu teacher.

In Gassho

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