So, after reading a poem by Saichi in a blog post over at The Level 8 Buddhist (Gerald Ford is my hero, by the way), I inquired as to where I might more of Saichi’s work. Well, in this small world of Jodo Shinshu blogging, Kyoushin of Echoes of the Name was quick to the rescue. He pointed me to a large collection of Saichi’s poetry in D.T. Suzuki’s old classic Mysticism, Christian and Buddhist. It came in in the mail the other day (Amazon is very quick!) and it is great.
This poem really struck me:
"Oh Saichi, do you recite the Nembutsu only when you think of it?
What do you do when you do not think if it?"
"Yes, [well,] when I do not think of it, there is the ‘Namu-amida-butsu’ [just the same] -
The oneness of ki and ho;
Even my thinking of [the Nembutsu] rises out of it,
How thankful I am for the favor!"
"Namu-amida-butsu, Namu-amida-butsu!"
This is a comforting thought to me. Even when I am distracted by the many responsibilities of my life and my own foibles and obsessions, there remains the Nembutsu, "the oneness of ki and ho" – that is, the unity of my flawed self and supreme compassion and enlightenment.
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Hi Dave,
That’s very kind of you to say such words, but I am a poor Jodo Shinshu Buddhist. Frankly, half the time, I am following something else. Call me indecisive.
Anyways, I love the notion of Amida’s Light embracing all things. It’s quite a powerful concept when you really investigate it. Studying Hua-Yen Buddhist thought, Emptiness, and Dharmakaya really make this even more powerful. Definitely check out the book “Hua-Yen: The Jewel Net of Indra” if you ever can. It’s also on Amazon. They do provide books very fast; I order often. :p
Gerald mentioned something to me regarding Saichi that made me think. He stated that Saichi pondered the idea of faith for 20 years before coming to some sort of understanding.
I have heard Shin Buddhism called the “Easy Path” but Saichi’s example could also show that the Pure Land path can also be considered a difficult one as well.
Hi Gerald:
I do take inspiration from your blogging on Jodo Shinshu and Buddhism in general. If I could only be half as prolific as you . . .
I’ll check out Hua-Yen, sounds interesting!
Dave
Great observation, tornadoes28. I hadn’t heard that comment about Saichi – very interesting.
Yup, that’s true. Saichi wrestled with this stuff for quite sometime before his breakthrough. I only wish I knew what it was like for him, but I guess we can only experience for ourselves, or not.