It is a cause of great happiness that, among
all living beings, we have escaped from the 3 lower realms and have
been born human. Though one's station in life may be low, it is not
worse than animal existence; though poverty stricken, it is not like
the land of the hungry ghosts; though we experience pain in our hearts,
this is not comparable to the suffering of the hell realms.
Even though we live in a world where hatred
abounds, the wish for enlightenment can still arise, and we can be
grateful for the possibility of a favorable rebirth. In fact due to
Amida's deep Original Vow, all who ask are certain of birth in the Pure
Land. If one is able to receive the Nembutsu and chant it with
aspiration to meet the Buddha in the Pure Land, this is an act of
tremendous virtue and merit. For such people, coming into contact with
the Original Vow is truly a joyous occasion.
We know that distracted thoughts are a part
of common everyday life. In fact there are nothing but these distracted
thoughts. But if just one time at the moment of death, the common man
is able to remember in his heart the name of the Buddha Amitabha, that
Buddha seated on a Lotus Throne will come to meet him, transforming
distracted thoughts into the Pure Awakened Heart. Remembering the
Buddha in the midst of distracted thoughts is analogous to the lotus
which grows from out of the mud without being smudged.
Therefore we should set aside doubt and
make the decision to take birth in the Pure Land. Even though troubled
by distractions and lamenting a shallow heart, we should continually
call the Name [Namu-Amida-Butsu] from deep within.
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Last modified: 25 February 2013.