title tenen
The Shokoji Temple copying sutras is not a calligraphy class, so the purpose is not to learn to write well. The purpose is to reflect on ourselves and reaffirm the true essence of things that are necessary to enrich our daily lives, and furthermore, to pray to the Buddha so that we can be welcomed into the Pure Land like our beloved ancestors at the end.
At the sutra copying meeting last April, we all reaffirmed the importance of "Pure Land". The existence of "Pure Land" gives us strength to live in the present. We just have to live each day to the fullest, with the conviction that we will definitely be welcomed to Pure Land at the end. Our goal was to spend a month doing as much good as possible and avoiding bad things as we are imperfect human beings and ordinary people.
Well.
This month of May, let us reaffirm the importance of "precepts."
The two characters "kairitsu" are treated as a single key word, but they are actually a combination of two separate synonyms.
"Precepts"...are things that one actively decides to follow in order to quickly attain enlightenment (calmness of mind), and there are no penalties associated with them.
"Vinaya" - rules for attaining enlightenment (calmness of the mind), or for the training life required to attain enlightenment, including rules for what not to do and penalties for not doing so.
One of the big differences between "precepts" and "laws" is whether or not they involve autonomy. It is difficult to follow "laws," but I believe that following "precepts," which are based on autonomy, is even more difficult.
When we consider this in light of the situation we find ourselves in today, there are broadly two situations in which we cannot keep the precepts.
First, you can’t go against the environment.
This is the case. No matter how talented a person is, if the evaluation and culture within the organization are contrary to the peace of mind (goodness) that one should aim for, it is extremely difficult to go against them. This is because they will lose their position and will not be able to maintain their daily life. In such cases, the only way to achieve balance is to aim for the peace of mind (goodness) that one should aim for in another environment.
Second, don't go against your surroundings.
This is simply because it is easy. Even though you will not lose your position or livelihood if you go against the flow, you will go in a direction that is contrary to the peace of mind (goodness) that you should be heading for.
In either case, if left unchecked, the feeling of guilt will gradually disappear and it will become a normal state of affairs.
In order to prevent this from happening, it is necessary to reflect on ourselves from time to time, repent of the unavoidable nature of human beings (ordinary people), and reaffirm our true nature in order to find some serenity in our minds.
What discipline do you think you need to follow in order to live your life to the fullest? Why not spend this month rethinking that question?
With this resolve in mind, I wrote out the words "Full of precepts" in the sutra I copied, and then, in quiet reflection, I chanted the Nembutsu.
Joining hands in prayer
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