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

A couple of years ago, my family and I took a vacation to Los Angeles. We visited many places such as Orange County Buddhist Church, Disneyland, Japanese American National Museum, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and Santa Monica Pier. It was a very exciting and fruitful trip, and I was very happy being able to establish a wonderful memory with my family.

Indeed, L.A. is a big city. During our stay in L.A., we rented a car with a GPS (navigation system), very useful for a person who is not familiar with the place. You just have to type in the address of the desired destination, and then the computer will calculate and map out the direction to that place from where you are. Without this system, I would never be able to drive in such a big city. On the first day, I relied on the GPS system since I was totally a stranger. I just obediently followed whatever it said. Although I was unfamiliar with the place, thanks to that system, I could drive quite comfortably and peacefully.

However, as the days went by, I got a little used to driving in the city especially around the hotel in Little Tokyo. One time, was driving on the highway to go back to the hotel. As we approached downtown, I saw a big building of the city hall. So I thought, “It is about time to take a freeway exit.” But the computer was still telling me to stay in the freeway. I thought, “If I stay on the freeway, we will go somewhere else. Maybe the computer miscalculated the direction somehow.” I added my own calculation, ignored the navigation, and took the freeway exit. Then, what happened? Yes, I got lost! I got lost, and my comfortable driving was suddenly filled with anxiety. I completely lost my sense of direction. I thought I was right, and the computer was wrong. But actually, what the computer was telling me was right, and my knowing and foolish calculation was wrong. I couldn’t help laughing at my own stupidity and learned not to ignore the navigation again.

But the good thing is that, no matter how many times I made mistakes, this system recalculated the direction for me. How nice this system is! It never said, “How come you do not follow me?” “I do not want to guide such a foolish man!” But it kindly and tirelessly worked for me. I felt grateful for its guidance as if it was saying “Hey, do not worry. I will take you to the destination.” Through the working of the navigation system, I became aware of my foolishness and knowing calculation.

Because I’m filled with ignorance
I’m filled with Joy
Knowing that (because of my ignorance)
I shall meet with Amida’s Vow
(Master Ryokan)

Amida Buddha is our navigator who guides and enables us to live our lives joyfully and gratefully. Amida Buddha is called “Oyasama (our spiritual parent)” who promised that, once he grasps us, he would never abandon us under any circumstances. Amida Buddha’s primal concern is not for the good person, but for the being who is lost and insecure by an egocentric calculation. Illuminated by the light of compassion, we are made to become aware of our true self as a limited being, and from there, a new me who is filled with gratitude and comfort will step forward. For its Great Benevolence, what else can we do except to say “Namo Amida Butsu!”

Visit our downloads section to get the complete issue.