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

Practicers who pray for worldly benefits,
Although they may perform
chiefly the saying of the Buddha’s Name,
Are also termed people of mixed praxis;
In rejecting such practice,
It is taught that not one in a thousand attains birth.

The winter season is upon us now. Hopefully, the snow scene of Mauna Kea will make a beautiful picture! From what I have experienced while living here, Hilo is a place where one can sample many climates during the course of a year. I really enjoy living in Hilo.  Another thing I enjoy in winter is the annual GATHAFEST, which is held around the end of February each year. Songs create such peace of mind. Music makes everyone happy.  Participating at the GATHAFEST is one way we, as Jodo Shin Buddhists, rejoice in living a Nembutsu life.

Sometimes during talk-story time, somebody says, “Please pray for me!” Since it sounds strange to me, I respond, “We don’t pray.” Then I remember what somebody once asked me, “Why don’t Jodo Shinshu practicers pray for their own benefit or for someone else?” This question puzzled me because the question of prayer was never asked of me in Japan. The word “pray” is a translation of the Japanese word, inoru.”

There are three different meanings of inoru in Japanese. First, it means to recite sacred words before divinities. Second, to pray or inoru” is to seek to fulfill individual desires for personal benefit. For example, saying to Kami sama or god, “Please protect my family and me from accidents, sickness, and other misfortunes.” This second practice seeks to fulfill human desires through supernatural powers or miracles. Third, one prays for rebirth in the Pure Land, a reflection of an imperfect self.

In Jodo Shin Buddhism, reciting the Nembutsu with individual wishes for benefit, such as making money or doing well in business reveals a heart and mind that are not pure. Honen Shonin said, “If human illness could be cured through prayers, nobody would die in this world. Illness and death are natural things.’’ Thus the person who practices the Nembutsu doesn’t pray according to the first two meanings of “inoru.”

Even Shinran Shonin discovered this meaninglessness when he began reading the Triple Pure Land Sutras sincerely a thousand times to give comfort to many for the severe hardships and sufferings they were enduring doing a famine. However, he came to realize the grave mistake he was making. He realized that the action of saying the Nembutsu should have been sufficient of itself.

Shinran Shonin clearly rejected praying for one’s own benefit. He pledged his sincere aspiration for kindness and world peace out of gratitude for Amida Buddha’s embrace. Entrusting ourselves to Amida Buddha and the Primal Vow, we should emulate Shinran Shonin’s pledge. This is not a pledge of self-centeredness or personal gain. With each “NAMO AMIDA BUTSU” and accepting Amida Buddha’s aspiration, we reflect upon our daily lives and take action to fulfill our pledge for the happiness of all people. Those who practice the Nembutsu, naturally benefit. In the Shin part or enlightenment part of the KYOGYOSHINSHO, Shinran Shonin writes that all benefit from constantly practicing great compassion.

Shinran Shonin stated, “Those who feel that their own birth into the Pure Land is completely settled, should be mindful of the Buddha’s benevolence, hold the Nembutsu in their hearts, and say the Nembutsu as responses of gratitude, “May there be peace and may the Buddha’s teaching prosper!” He stated that those who live without accepting the Nembutsu do not see the truth and are living in hell. We live by holding on to the aspiration for their welfare. Intoning “Namoamidabutsu” is hearing Amida’s name and accepting Amida’s aspiration for all of us. Amida wishes us to become persons who understand another’s pain. Shinran Shonin teaches us that praying for personal gain, whether it be good health, successful business, or rebirth in the Pure Land, is not done in Jodo Shinshu teachings.

We are able to learn from the Shinshu Pledge, “I rejoice in the Compassion of the Buddha. I will respect and help others and do my best for the welfare of mankind.” NAMO AMIDA BUTSU.

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