Safe

 

How wonderful is the incomparable Great Vow!

Miserable words can't possibly describe it.

Through the perfectly accomplished Vow-Power,

Faith hard as diamond has been settled in one

Completely incapable of awakening faith.

This foolish one is none other than myself.

Because of hearing the Dharma of Amida's Name,

This wandering cloud, listlessly drifting

Throughout birth-and-death,

Is now blown irreversibly to the Pure Land

By the unobstructed wind of the Primal Vow.

Truly, the compassionate Father grasps me firmly;

Truly, the compassionate Mother holds me tight!

What fear need I have of falling?

Whenever I die, I am home in the Land of Light;

Wherever I am, I am safe in the arms of

NAMU AMIDA BUTSU.

~ Composed upon reading the exhortation of faith and similitudes of the Vow of compassion in the Kyogyoshinsho of Shinran Shōnin (CWS I: 66-68), March 8, 2013.

 

Words from a Good Teacher

 

"Especially because you are an ordinary person, you can't afford not to be sure where you go after death. So, if you encountered Amida's helping hand, accept it immediately, without any second thought. You must not assume yourself any risk and do not allow death to catch you unprepared, that is, without faith (shinjin). Let smart guys and virtuous practitioners dwell in the 'here and now,' realize emptiness, oneness, or whatever they say they realize, but you stay humble and cling to the sleeves of Amida."
 

~ Rev. Josho Adrian Cirlea

(http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/)

 

Leave Everything to Amida

 

舟は帆まかせ　帆は風まかせ

私しや阿弥陀に　丸まかせ

 

The course of the boat is left to the sail,

the movement of the sail is left to the wind;

As for me, I leave everything to Amida.

 

~ Zuiken's Shinshu Dharma-pada