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#260 From: sanath_sg@...
Date: Thu May 3, 2001 7:27 am
Subject: Hongan News sanath_sg@...
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Namu Amida Butsu,
how are all of you, fellow Ondobos in Amida. Just for information, i
have started a new newsgroup in Yahoo called "Hongan News", and would
like to invite all of you to join it.
The URL is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hongannews . Pls do help to
spread the news around, so that we may all benefit from Amida
Buddha's teachings!
Gassho,
Clifton (Shaku Do Tatsu)

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#261 From: bvgftr2@...
Date: Sat May 5, 2001 5:47 pm
Subject: HH Dalai Lama LIVE May9th on the WEB! bvgftr2@...
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Addressing the Joint Session of Congress [USA]

http://www.cspan.org

[you will want to familiarize yourself with
this site if you have never used it before...
make sure your real player is updated & ready
to perform properly...
the "tv schedule" area is updated each
morning and night only, it seems...
so the time of the address will not be
available till very close to the time
of viewing...
the address schedule will be posted at
http://www.geocities.com/bvgftr2/bjn.html
as soon as the information is available]

bj

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#262 From: bvgftr2@...
Date: Tue May 8, 2001 8:49 pm
Subject: 9am & noon central time may9 DALAI LAMA on the web bvgftr2@...
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http://www.geocities.com/bvgftr2/dlt1.html

we know hh will be "live" on
the web for san jose and
los angeles meetings if
any of you living in the
places he will be touring
have information on web
radio or web video access
please contact bodhi journal
asap so we can post it on
the web for all the virtual
buddhist to participate in
this world tour...


blessings!
bj webmaster
bj yahoo email is "bvgftr2" @ y.....

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#263 From: sanath_sg@...
Date: Sun May 13, 2001 2:29 pm
Subject: Rennyo Shonin's Memorial sanath_sg@...
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Tomorrow (14/5) marks Rennyo Shonin's Memorial Day. Let us make use
of this time to remember Rennyo Shonin's credit and success in
building the Honganji to what it is today.
For those who are not familiar with Rennyo Shonin (1415-1499), he is
the "Restorer of the Shin Faith", and his status is second to Shinran
Shonin, the Founder and Master. Rennyo Shonin is Shinran Shonin's 8th
direct descendant, and thus, was also the 8th Monshu (Abbot) of the
Honganji following Shinran Shonin's death in 1272. During the
intervening years between the 3rd (Abbot) Monshu, Kakunyo Shonin and
Rennyo Shonin, the Honganji was in a state of decline, due to factors
such as civil war amongst others. But Rennyo Shonin was motivated,
after the departure of his mother, to revitalise the Honganji
Institution, and was thus instrumental in making the Honganji into
what it is today.
Tomorrow, the Honganji will be marking his Memorial with a service to
be held at Yamashina Betsuin and at Rennyo Shonin's mausoleum located
nearby.

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#264 From: Clifton Ong <sanath_sg@...>
Date: Tue May 15, 2001 1:58 pm
Subject: Gotan-e Celebrations sanath_sg@...
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Hello all,
Namu Amida Butsu,
From 20th to 21st May, celebrations commemorating
Shusho Gantan E (Birth of Shinran Shonin) will be
observed. The traditional Muryoju E worship service
will be held at 2:00pm (Japan time) on 20th May. On
21st May, a contemporary Music Worship Service (Ongaku
Raihai) will be held, and about 1000 students from
Ryukoku University, Kyoto Women's University, Heian
High and Secondary School as well as Chuo Bukkyo
Gakuin will attend the musical service that will be
attended by Monshu Otani Koshin. At 12:30pm on the
same day, a special Gakaku (Traditional Japanese Court
music) presentation will be held.
A special Tea Ceremony will be held at the Hiunkaku at
12:30pm on 20th May, followed by a No drama
presentation held at the South No Drama Stage from
9:30am to 3:30pm on 21st May.
On 18th May, children from the various Mission
Kindergartens will attend a special children's service
held at Nishi Honganji, Ourakata sama Otani Noriko
(Gomonshu's wife) will attend the service. On 19th
May, a service will be held at Hino Tanjoin
(Birthplace of Shinran Shonin) at 2:00pm, where the
Gokai Nenbutsu Hoyo will be chanted.
- from "Honganji Shinpo" 1/5/2001 edition

Gassho,
Clifton (Shaku Do Tatsu)


=====
Gassho,
Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Email: sanath_sg@...

Homepage: http://honganmission.cjb.net/

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#265 From: Clifton Ong <sanath_sg@...>
Date: Sun May 20, 2001 2:08 pm
Subject: Fwd: [hongannews] Hongan News 19 - Gotan-e Special sanath_sg@...
Send Email

Note: forwarded message attached.


=====
Gassho,
Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Email: sanath_sg@...

Homepage: http://honganmission.cjb.net/

__________________________________________________
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HONGAN NEWS 19 - GOTAN-E SPECIAL

NAMU AMIDA BUTSU

Contents

1) Editor's Foreward

2) Who is Shinran Shonin?

3) The life of Saint Shinran Shonin

4) A Reflection On Shinran Shonin - Editor

(1) Editor's Foreward

21st May is an important date in the Nishi Honganji tradition, as Jodo Shinshu Buddhists celebrate Gotan-e, Shinran Shonin's Birthday. Celebrations are held every year at the Honzan and all branch temples and churches were Shin temples/churches have been built. It is indeed a wonderful day to celebrate, and other than Ho-onko, Gotan-e is another day for us to remember Shinran Shonin's life and contributions, which the most important of all is leaving down the legacy of the Jodo Shinshu Pure Land Teachings, which were passed from the 7 Patriachs: Nagajuna and Vasubhandhu of India; Tan-Luan, Dao-chuo and Shan-dao of China; Genshin and Honen of Japan. Honen shonin, especially, for he was Shinran Shonin's direct master in teaching him the Pure Land Path.

Let us all reflect and remember 21st May as a day to remember Shinran Shonin's contributions, and as Rennyo shonin stated in the Gobunsho: "Reflect on the Master's benevolence to us."

In gassho,

Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Editor,

Hongan News

(2) Who is Shinran Shonin?

Shinran Shonin was born on 21st May 1173 (1st day of 4th month, 3rd year of Joan) in the village of Hino on the outskirts of Kyoto.
When he was four years old, he lost his father and at the age of nine his mother. Thus, orphaned at a young age he entered the priesthood at Mount Hiei, which was then the main center of Buddhist learning.
Here he was to stay for twenty years, practicing the most arduous of physical and mental disciplines. The principal teaching of the monasteries emphasized the purification of the self for the attainment of Enlightenment. Never did a young priest apply himself so wholeheartedly to all the disciplines. He soon became renowned for his scholarship and could have easily become head of one of the larger monasteries, but he was neither interested in position nor in the pursuit of knowledge. His main concern was Enlightenment. After two decades on Mt. Hiei, Shinran Shonin came to the sober realization that Enlightenment was impossible for the common man. The disciplines of Mt. Hiei made him acutely conscious of his own human weakness. His life was finite; his knowledge incomplete and his capacity for perfect goodness limited. Upon meditation he discovered that in all his activities the Three Poisons of greed, hatred and anger essentially motivated him.
In this state of mental anguish, Shinran Shonin renounced the life on Mt. Hiei. His descent form the mountain was the turning point in his religious pursuit. Shortly thereafter, he met a kindly priest, Honen shonin, who taught a single faith in Amida Buddha and the recitation of the Nembutsu as the very way of religious fulfillment. Honen shonin brought Shinran Shonin face-to-face with Amida Buddhas infinity Wisdom and Compassion. For the first time in his life Shinran Shonin found inner peace in the faith that Amida Buddha was primarily concerned with such as person as him. The Buddhist life he realized he could be lived by the man in the street without confinement to a monastery. The gate of lifes meaning was now open to all and thousands of people flocked to hear and accept the hopeful message of the Nembutsu.
The powerful monastic orders, however, feared a weakening of their long established tradition and prestige and convinced the Imperial Court to banish Honen shonin and Shinran Shonin, but the spiritual energy of the Nembutsu had been unleashed. The teaching soon gathered momentum as it spread from person to person and from village to village. Especially, during his years in exile, Shinran Shonin personally met with countless persons to awaken their faith in Amida Buddha.
Shinran Shonin finally settled in Inada and there completed the first draft of the Teaching, Practice, Faith and Attainment in 1224.
In 1232 when he was fifty-nine, he retired to Kyoto. During the intervening years until his death, he wrote many books, which are read and studied even today. He died on 16th January 1263 (28th day of 11th month, 2nd year of Kocho).

(3) The Life of Saint Shinran Shonin

Shinran Shonin was born to the noble Fujiwara family, on May 21 1173 C.E., in Kyoto, Japan, at a period when the two military clans, Genji and Heike, were struggling to establish predominant power. The people were in a restless state of political and economic ferment due to the civil wars. When Shinran Shonin was a child, he was called Matsuwaka Maru. Due to some unknown cause of the social situation, he lost his mother when he was four years old. When he was nine years old, his father died. Deeply shocked by the untimely death of his parents, he was determined to become a Buddhist priest. One day, his uncle took him to the Venerable Jichin of a Buddhist monastery, Shoren-in, at the foot of Higashiyama, to be ordained. As it was late at night, the High Priest told them that he would do it tomorrow. Thereupon, Matsuwaka Maru was very unhappy and wrote a verse on a piece of paper and handed it to the priest.

It read:

"Ah vain to wait until tomorrow!

Life, like the glorious cherry blossom,

In the morning might cease to be

Dispersed by the breath of the vagrant breeze."

The priest praised Matsuwaka Maru and ordaining him, and renamed him Hannen. He went to Hiei-San, a centre of Buddhism at that time, and devoted his time and energy in absorbing the doctrines of Buddhism. As time went on, his study and his priestly rank advanced so rapidly that when he was only twenty-five years old, he was appointed the Chief Abbot of Shoko-in Monastery, and he was regarded as being next in line for the abbot-ship of all the monasteries in Hiei-San.

The monastery of Hiei-San was founded by Saicho, Dengyo Daishi (767-822 CE). The teaching of Dengyo was the absolute idealism that since all things are manifestations of the absolute Buddha, all things therefore have Buddhahood as their true essence. The ultimate purpose of man is to realise Buddhahood through incessant moral discipline and intellectual meditation. This ideal was not actually pursued in the monastery. On the contrary, hierarchy of rank engaged monks in competition for advancement in priesthood. It was a centre of profane secular life rather than a spiritual centre. After a severe spiritual and physical struggle of twenty years, Hannen was obliged to confess that: "Though I try to calm my passions in meditation, lusts arise incessantly. Though I endeavour to see the clear moon of pure mind, the cloud of passions beclouds my vision. As soon as another does not follow one breath, my life would be lost forever. How can I continue this fruitless moral discipline and intellectual studies which cannot extinguish love of this transient life?"

Thus his spiritual struggle to attain Enlightenment by his own power ended in vain. He found out that all human beings are powerless to reach enlightenment, and that he has to take refuge in the supernatural power of Amida Butsu (Amida Buddha). Thereupon, he visited the venerable Honen Shonin at the Yoshimizu Monastery in Kyoto. Honen Shonin (1133-1212 CE), the founder of Jodo Shu, was very intelligent and pious in following the teachings of the Buddha. After studying and practising Buddhism, he was converted to the teaching of the Pure Land by the guidance of the venerable Zendo.

One day, Honen Shonin came across the famous sentence in the book, Sanzengi, written by Zendo Daishi, stating: "Whenever and wherever one calls Namu Amida Butsu (Namo Amida Buddha) with his heart, this is the true decisive cause of Rebirth in His Pure Land, for it is in accordance with His Divine Will"

He exclaimed, "Truly then, this must be the only way by which ignorant persons like myself can be saved." He wrote treatises on the Great Vows of Amida Butsu, and exhorted people to repeat the Nenbutsu that enabled them to be born in the Pure Land, and thus became founder of the Jodo Shu. Honen Shonin converted Shinran Shonin to the Jodo Shu when he was twenty-nine years old. Two years later, he married Princess Tamahi, a daughter of Prince Kanezane Kujo, the former premeier, according to the advice of his teacher, Honen Shonin. This constituted an epoch making reformation of Buddhist life.

Hither to fore, true Buddhist monks had to give up secular life, subsisting on a diet of vegetables and rice that precluded flesh foods, in order to realise pure spiritual life. Honen Shonin was a vegetarian and a celibate. For this reason, spiritual living was limited to a few people who could renounce secular life. Honen Shonin and Shinran Shonin found out that it was impossible to live pure spiritual lives as long as they remained in this world with physical bodies, which are the very root of all carnal desires. Both of them confessed that their pure meditative life was often betrayed by carnal desires and secular passions no matter how strongly they endeavoured to live according to the Noble Path.

The point of their teaching was that one must face the natural facts of life and repent them in the light of Amida Butsu.

With true understanding of the weakness of our life we must rely upon Amida Butsu for our salvation. Thus, the way of salvation of Amida Butsu was opened wide to all common people, both priests and laymen. Many people, both noble and common came to hear the teaching of Amida Butsu by Honen Shonin. The priests of the different sects looked upon the popularity of the Jodo Shu with jealousy.

Finally, both Honen and Shinran were condemned and sentenced to be exiled to Tosa and Echigo when they were seventy-five and thirty-five years old respectively on the ground that the teaching of Amida Butsu insults both Shakyamuni and the national Shinto Gods.

Shinran Shonin took this condemnation as an opportunity to propagate the teaching of Amida Butsu among people in the remote country, saying, "If I did not thus become exiled, how could I have had the opportunity to convert people of the remote provinces?" This is also a blessing of the venerable Master and Amida Butsu. They were pardoned after five years, but Shinran Shonin continued to preach the gospel of the Amida Butsu to those who lived in the northern and eastern part of Japan until he was sixty years old. It was when he was fifty-two years old that he finished his famous work, 'Kyo-Gyo-Shin-Sho', 'The Teaching, Practice, Faith, and Attainment', at the rural the rural residence, Hitachi Province and laid the canonical foundations of the Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhism).

From sixty-two to ninety years of age when he died, he incessantly preached and wrote many important books, living at Kyoto. During this time, he wandered about from one place to another in order to spread the teaching of Amida Butsu among the common people. On January 16, 1263, he died gratefully repeating Namu Amida Butsu up to the last minute.

SHINRAN SHONIN

1) Born near the ancient capital of Kyoto on May 21st 1173, a period of great social unrest.

2) Lost both parents at an early age.

3) Became a monk at the age of nine. Studied Buddha-Dharma for 20 years at Mt. Hiei, the centre of Buddhist studies at that time.

4) At the age of 28, descended Mt. Hiei and became a disciple of the monk Honen.

5) Attained the assurance of birth in the Pure Land he had all his life.

6) Because of political pressure from other religious groups against his master, was exiled to the province of Echigo. From there immigrated to the then frontier area of Kanto (general area of modern-day Tokyo) where he spread the Nenbutsu teaching.

7) The first monk to publicly take a wife, Esshin-ni, who bore him seven children, among them Zenran and Kakushin-ni.

8) Completed the first manuscript of the Kyogyoshinsho in 1224.

9) Returned to Kyoto in his old age, at the age of 60 in 1231.

10) Wrote the Shoshinge (Hymn of True Faith), Wasans and many other works expressing the absolute "Buddha-centered power" teaching of the Nenbutsu.

11) Died on January 16th, 1262 at the age of 89 and cremated at Toribeno.

12) 10 years later his daughter Kakushin-ni then interned his remains at Higashiyama, east of Kyoto.

(4) A reflection on Shinran Shonin - the Editor

Shinran Shonin - Revoluntionary monk; humble yet wise; full of wisdom and compassion; incarnation of Amida Buddha and Kannon Bosatsu, and Venerable Master Dao-chuo born again. These are just some of the titles that Shinran Shonin was conferred by his disciples, as well as those outside the Shin traditions.

Yet Shinran Shonin would not have wanted all these titles. He usually called himself "Bald-headed Fool (Gutoku)", and also as "Neither monk nor layman (Hi So Hi Zoku)." He even told his disciples to throw his body into the Kamo River to feed the fish when he died, but why is it that now, almost 800 years after his death, he is still treated with utmost respect, and even considered a "Shonin"?

The answer lies in his wish to show that there was a method in Buddhism, other than all the seemingly difficult practices, such as meditation, fasting, penance etc, that there was a way for sentient beings who were unable to engage in such practices, and he found the answer in the way of the Nenbutsu. The Nenbutsu is also called the "Easy Practice", because all one needs to do is to recite the Name of Amida Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Life and Light. This was based on a practice that had spread from India to China and finally to Japan. In Japan, it later developed whe it was discovered and propagated by Honen shonin, Shinran Shonin's direct master.

However, Shinran Shonin revolutionised the thought, he taught that the moment one places Complete Reliance in Amida Buddha, one will definetly attain Birth in the Pure Land, all recitations of the Name after are to repay our gratitude to Amida Buddha. Thus, one need not have to wait to his/her deathbed to be reborn in the Pure Land, as it is attained here and now; even with our defilements and delusions, Amida Buddha will surely guide us to the Pure Land as long as we place Faith in Him.

It was because of this teaching that many people living during Shinran Shonin's time turned to his teachings, and found comfort in it. Even now, nearly 800 years after his passing, people all over the world, due to the efforts of Missionaries who spread the Teachings, still benefit from it. So it is most befitting to remember Shinran Shonin's benevolence to us on this day - 21st May.

Happy Birthday Shinran Shonin!

In gassho,

Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Editor,

Hongan News

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#266 From: "roger" <roger@...>
Date: Fri Jun 1, 2001 4:02 am
Subject: [buddhismML] Buddhist bibliography June update roger@...
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the June update to the Buddhist bibliography is now online at :
http://www.cyber-ville.net/buddbib.html
enjoy your reading !


other informations on Buddhism available at :
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#267 From: Clifton Ong <sanath_sg@...>
Date: Tue Jun 19, 2001 1:26 pm
Subject: Articles for Hongan News sanath_sg@...
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Dear friends,
Namu Amida Butsu!
This is Clifton here, as some of you may know i have a
newsletter called Hongan News under Yahoo!groups. I
was wondering if anyone was interested in submitting
articles pertaining to
1) Pure Land Buddhism, especially Jodo Shinshu.
2)Sermons, Messages, news (esp on happenings in the
Honganji Overseas districts).
3) History and development on Shinshu (Sensei Alfred
Bloom can help with this especially i hope! hehe).
4) Personal encounters with Jodo Shinshu. etc
are especially welcome.
If anyone has any articles to contribute, please send
it to sanath_sg@..., sanathong@... or
sanathong@.... Thank you in advance and hope you
all can contribute articles!

Gassho,
Clifton (Shaku Do Tatsu)
Singapore Hongan Mission (Jodo Shinshu)
Editor, Hongan News

=====
Gassho,
Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Email: sanath_sg@...

Homepage: http://honganmission.cjb.net/

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#268 From: Clifton Ong <sanath_sg@...>
Date: Sat Jun 23, 2001 3:05 pm
Subject: Fwd: 100 issues of "A Primer of Shin Buddhism" sanath_sg@...
Send Email

Note: forwarded message attached.


=====
Gassho,
Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Email: sanath_sg@...

Homepage: http://honganmission.cjb.net/

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Good day all,
Namu Amida Butsu.

The Hongwanji Buddhist Mission of Australia and Horai International Association (Australia) will

be sending 100 copies of "A Primer of Shin Buddhism" to Singapore for the spreading and

introduction of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism (True Pure Land Buddhism) to Singaporeans. As

all of you are members of Hongan News, i would like to extend my invitations to all of you to

get a free copy of the Primer. It serves as a wonderful and brief introduction to the teachings

of Jodo Shinshu. If you are interested in getting a copy, please reply to this email and please

give the following particulars:
a) Name
b) Address
c) Contact number (Home, HP, Pager)

*Limited to 2 copies per person. For Singaporeans only, sorry.

*For non-Singaporeans interested in getting a copy, please send an email to

georgeagatenby@... from Horai Association International.

Once again, thank you all for subscibing to Hongan News.
Gassho,
Clifton (Shaku Do Tatsu)
http://honganmission.cjb.net

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#269 From: "Richard St. Clair" <stclair@...>
Date: Mon Jun 25, 2001 5:16 pm
Subject: Re: Fwd: 100 issues of "A Primer of Shin Buddhism" stclair@...
Send Email

Clifton,
Wonderful work you are doing in Singapore! Incidentally, the Boston
Shinshu sangha recently sent a shipment of Shin books to a fledgling
Shin sangha in Lloilo City, Philippings. We're getting the message
out, slowly but surely.
with palms together,
Shaku Egen
(Rick S.)

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#270 From: "Richard St. Clair" <stclair@...>
Date: Mon Jun 25, 2001 5:29 pm
Subject: Re: Fwd: 100 issues of "A Primer of Shin Buddhism" stclair@...
Send Email

>Clifton,
>Wonderful work you are doing in Singapore! Incidentally, the Boston
>Shinshu sangha recently sent a shipment of Shin books to a fledgling
>Shin sangha in Lloilo City, Philippings.

er, that's PHILIPPINES. :)


>  We're getting the message
>out, slowly but surely.
>with palms together,
>Shaku Egen
>(Rick S.)
>
>To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
>shinlist-unsubscribe@egroups.com
>
>
>
>Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

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#271 From: Clifton Ong <sanath_sg@...>
Date: Tue Jun 26, 2001 12:58 pm
Subject: Re: Fwd: 100 issues of "A Primer of Shin Buddhism" sanath_sg@...
Send Email

Dear Bro Richard,
thank you so much, but compared to what others have
been doing to spread the Teachings out, what i am
doing is incomparibly small.
It is most wonderful to know of a Sangha in the
Philippines, which is a very strong catholic country!
Perhaps i was wondering if you could give me the
person to contact, it would be an incredible Go-en
(Affinity) to have contact with them!
Maybe you could share with us more of what you know
about the Sangha in the Philippines?
Gassho,
Clifton (Shaku Do Tatsu)

--- "Richard St. Clair" <stclair@...> wrote:
> Clifton,
> Wonderful work you are doing in Singapore!
> Incidentally, the Boston
> Shinshu sangha recently sent a shipment of Shin
> books to a fledgling
> Shin sangha in Lloilo City, Philippings. We're
> getting the message
> out, slowly but surely.
> with palms together,
> Shaku Egen
> (Rick S.)
>

=====
Gassho,
Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Email: sanath_sg@...

Homepage: http://honganmission.cjb.net/

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#272 From: Clifton Ong <sanath_sg@...>
Date: Sat Jun 30, 2001 12:52 am
Subject: Fwd: Fw: 100 issues of "A Primer of Shin Buddhism" sanath_sg@...
Send Email

Note: forwarded message attached.


=====
Gassho,
Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Email: sanath_sg@...

Homepage: http://honganmission.cjb.net/

__________________________________________________
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Good day all,

Namu Amida Butsu,

The 100 booklets of "A Primer of Shin Buddhism" published by the Honganji Buddhist Mission of Australia has arrived. Those who have reserved a copy of it shall be receiving them soon. Once again, Singapore Hongan Mission would like to invite those who are interested in getting a copy to email to shinmissionsg@... for a free copy. Each person is allowed to get two copies of the Primer. Singapore Hongan Mission once again thanks the Honganji Buddhist Mission of Australia for kindly sponsoring the Primers.

Gassho,

Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

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#273 From: "Roger" <roger@...>
Date: Sun Jul 1, 2001 4:08 am
Subject: [buddhismML] Buddhist bibliography July update roger@...
Send Email

the July update to the Buddhist bibliography is now online at :
http://www.cyber-ville.net/buddbib.html
enjoy your reading !


---
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#274 From: "roger" <roger@...>
Date: Thu Jul 12, 2001 12:24 pm
Subject: [buddhismML] Buddhist links update roger@...
Send Email

hi there,
i have just updated my "Buddhist links" web page at :
http://www.cyber-ville.net/buddlinks.html
if you see that a Buddhist web site is not included please do not hesitate
to remind me to include it (i had a problem with my PC and therefore lost
all of the data received for June and July, so if you already asked me to
either list a site or to subscribe/unsubscribe please accept my apologies)
Good surf,
Roger


other informations on Buddhism available at :
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#275 From: Clifton Ong <sanath_sg@...>
Date: Sun Jul 15, 2001 10:30 am
Subject: Why is Buddhism not more widely accepted? sanath_sg@...
Send Email

Q: Why is it that such a wonderful teaching as the
Buddh-dharma is not accepted more widely in our
society?

A: Unfortunately even a true and righteous teaching is
not accepted with an open mind today. Therefore, it
behooves us to try with greater effort for its
propagation. Please reflect once more on the
following:

1.    Could it be that Buddhism has become a family
religion rather than our own personal religion?
2.    Could it be that you are just a follower in name
only?
3.    Could it be that you are just a priest in
appearance only and are without faith?
4.    Could it be that the relationship between the
temple and its constituents (members) is just
superficial and customary?
5.    Could it be that the zeal to propagate the
teaching is lacking?
6.    Could it be that you think it is just the
priest's task to spread the teaching and that you as
layman have no responsibility?
7.    Could it be that you are keeping the faith to
yourself and not actively trying to share this faith
with others?

- from "Jodo Shinshu Handbook for Laymen" published by
Honganji International Centre

=====
Gassho,
Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Email: sanath_sg@...

Homepage: http://honganmission.cjb.net/

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#276 From: wynn <wewynal@...>
Date: Mon Jul 16, 2001 6:03 am
Subject: Help wewynal@...
Send Email

Hi,

Question 1

Contemplation Sutra
Part 1, No.7

Then the World-Honored One said: 'Now do you not know, Vaidehi, that Buddha
Amitayus is not very far from here?

Amitabha Sutra
"Passing from here through hundreds of thousands of millions of Buddha-lands
to the West, there is a land called Ultimate Bliss. In this land, at this
moment, a Buddha named Amitabha teaches the Dharma.

How come? Amitabha Sutra says that the land is very far, but Contemplation
Sutra says it is not very far.
Is sukhavati another planes of existence or is it on the same universe as
us?

======

Question 2

A friend asked:
Amitabha is not Maitreya.Where does the Buddhist Scriptures?

=====

Question 3

Maitreya does not mean kindness, it means friend or loving friend.
Is this right?

Thank you,
Wynn

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#277 From: wynn <wewynal@...>
Date: Mon Jul 16, 2001 8:32 am
Subject: mantras wewynal@...
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Hi,

Question 4

Are dharanis and mantras = prayers? (in the Christian sense)

Thank you,

Wynn

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#278 From: wynn <wewynal@...>
Date: Mon Jul 16, 2001 11:09 am
Subject: vow wewynal@...
Send Email

SMALLER
SUKHAVATIVYUHA SUTRA

No.9

'Shariputra, if there be a good man or a good woman, who, on hearing of Buddha Amitayus, keeps his name (in mind) with thoughts undisturbed for one day, two days, three days, four days, five days, six days, or seven days, that person, when about to die, (will see) Amitayus Buddha accompanied by his holy host appear before him; and immediately after his death, he with his mind undisturbed can be born into the Sukhavati land of Buddha Amitayus

Hi,

This discussion is not perfect. Does anyone have a better translation?

This translation uses he, him etc

Thank you,

Wynn

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#279 From: Clifton Ong <sanath_sg@...>
Date: Mon Jul 16, 2001 1:20 pm
Subject: Re: mantras sanath_sg@...
Send Email

No, Dharanis & Mantras were never used in a sense of
invoking a prayer (in the christian sense), it is used
in Shingon and Vajrayana (even Chinese Mahayana) as a
way to cultivate mindfulness, and in Shingon,
complete-oneness in body, speech and mind with the
Honzon (Diety) that the practitioner is practicing.
Gassho,
Clifton (Shaku Do Tatsu)

--- wynn <wewynal@...> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Question 4
>
> Are dharanis and mantras = prayers? (in the
> Christian sense)
>
> Thank you,
> Wynn
>

=====
Gassho,
Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Email: sanath_sg@...

Homepage: http://honganmission.cjb.net/

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#280 From: Clifton Ong <sanath_sg@...>
Date: Mon Jul 16, 2001 1:25 pm
Subject: Re: vow sanath_sg@...
Send Email

In the original versions, there were no such terms as
He, Him (the masculine sense), but when translated
into western language it took on the masculine sense
becos in western language He, Him was used more often.
It could also be becos in traditional Buddhism women
cannot become a Brahma, Indra, Mara, Wheel-turning
Monarch and a Buddha. But in the Pure Land there is no
difference between the sexes, and what is more, the
Bodhisattvas there dwell in the Stage of the
Non-retrogression, and they are not bounded by these
dualites that we have, they can take on any form
(male, female) to liberate sentient beings.
Gassho,
Clifton (Shaku Do Tatsu)

--- wynn <wewynal@...> wrote:
> SMALLER
> SUKHAVATIVYUHA  SUTRA
> No.9
>
> 'Shariputra, if there be a good man or a good woman,
> who, on hearing of Buddha Amitayus, keeps his name
> (in mind) with thoughts undisturbed for one day, two
> days, three days, four days, five days, six days, or
> seven days, that person, when about to die, (will
> see) Amitayus Buddha accompanied by his holy host
> appear before him; and immediately after his death,
> he with his mind undisturbed can be born into the
> Sukhavati land of Buddha Amitayus
>
> Hi,
>
> This discussion is not perfect. Does anyone have a
> better translation?
> This translation uses he, him etc
>
> Thank you,
> Wynn
>

=====
Gassho,
Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Email: sanath_sg@...

Homepage: http://honganmission.cjb.net/

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#281 From: Clifton Ong <sanath_sg@...>
Date: Mon Jul 16, 2001 1:44 pm
Subject: Fwd: Re: [sukhavati] Help sanath_sg@...
Send Email

This is for Wynn, anyone who would like to elaborate,
pls do so, thanks and gassho!
Note: forwarded message attached.


=====
Gassho,
Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Email: sanath_sg@...

Homepage: http://honganmission.cjb.net/

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--- wynn <wewynal@...> wrote: > Hi, > > Question 1 > > Contemplation Sutra > Part 1, No.7 > > Then the World-Honored One said: 'Now do you not > know, Vaidehi, that Buddha Amitayus is not very far > from here? > > Amitabha Sutra > "Passing from here through hundreds of thousands of > millions of Buddha-lands to the West, there is a > land called Ultimate Bliss. In this land, at this > moment, a Buddha named Amitabha teaches the Dharma. > > How come? Amitabha Sutra says that the land is very > far, but Contemplation Sutra says it is not very > far. > Is sukhavati another planes of existence or is it on > the same universe as us? > Sukhavati has always been there. Of course to Shin Buddhists the Birth in the Pure Land occurs at the very moment of the arising of Faith (Entrusting), but it is also another plane of existence OUTSIDE of Samsaric Existence, the Pure Land in some traditions is a stepping-stone to Nirvana, but in Shin it is on-par with Nirvana, and a wonderful place to practice the Dharma. > ====== > > Question 2 > > A friend asked: > Amitabha is not Maitreya.Where does the Buddhist > Scriptures? > Maybe you could rephrase the question, i dun quite get it. > ===== > > Question 3 > > Maitreya does not mean kindness, it means friend or > loving friend. > Is this right? > Maitreya has a few meanings. Of cos in the case when a word is translated from one language to another it takes on/loses certain meanings. In Chinese Maitreya was translated as "Ci Shi", meaning Kindness. It could also mean Loving Friend, but the term Kalyanamitra is used more in that sense. > Thank you, > Wynn > Gassho, Clifton (Shaku Do Tatsu) ===== Gassho, Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu) Email: sanath_sg@... Homepage: http://honganmission.cjb.net/ __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Get personalized email addresses from Yahoo! Mail http://personal.mail.yahoo.com/
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#282 From: J�r�me Ducor <jerome.ducor@...>
Date: Mon Jul 16, 2001 2:14 pm
Subject: Re: vow jerome.ducor@...
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wynn wrote :

SMALLERSUKHAVATIVYUHA SUTRANo.9 'Shariputra, if there be a good man or a good woman, who, on hearing of Buddha Amitayus, keeps his name (in mind) with thoughts undisturbed for one day, ... or seven days, that person, when about to die, (will see) Amitayus Buddha accompanied by his holy host appear before him; and immediately after his death, he with his mind undisturbed can be born into the Sukhavati land of Buddha Amitayus This translation uses he, him etc

Why not?

--
Jerome Ducor
http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/ethg/ducor/

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#283 From: J�r�me Ducor <jerome.ducor@...>
Date: Mon Jul 16, 2001 2:22 pm
Subject: Re: vow jerome.ducor@...
Send Email

Clifton Ong wrote :

But in the Pure Land there is no
difference between the sexes,

All beings in Sukhavati are male. See also the Vow 35th.

the Bodhisattvas there dwell in the Stage of the
Non-retrogression,

According to Shinran's unique interpretation we dwell in the Stage of the
Non-retrogression from the very moment we got faith already in this life.

cheers
--
Jerome Ducor
http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/ethg/ducor/

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#284 From: Clifton Ong <sanath_sg@...>
Date: Mon Jul 16, 2001 2:31 pm
Subject: Re: vow sanath_sg@...
Send Email

Sensei,
would they be male 'males' in our sense of
perspective?
Gassho,
Clifton (Shaku Do Tatsu)

--- J�r�me Ducor <jerome.ducor@...> wrote:
> Clifton Ong wrote :
>
> > But in the Pure Land there is no
> > difference between the sexes,
>
> All beings in Sukhavati are male. See also the Vow
> 35th.
>
>
> > the Bodhisattvas there dwell in the Stage of the
> > Non-retrogression,
>
> According to Shinran's unique interpretation we
> dwell in the Stage of
> the
> Non-retrogression from the very moment we got faith
> already in this
> life.
>
> cheers
> --
> Jerome Ducor
> http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/ethg/ducor/
>
>


=====
Gassho,
Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Email: sanath_sg@...

Homepage: http://honganmission.cjb.net/

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#285 From: J�r�me Ducor <jerome.ducor@...>
Date: Mon Jul 16, 2001 2:51 pm
Subject: Re: vow jerome.ducor@...
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Clifton Ong wrote :

> would they be male 'males' in our sense of
> perspective?

Yes, I think so. One of the 32 pysical marks of the buddhas and great
bodhisattvas is:
their penis is concealed like the horse's (koshopagatavastiguhya).
--
Jerome Ducor
http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/ethg/ducor/

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#286 From: Neil Rasmussen <neilrasmussen@...>
Date: Tue Jul 17, 2001 5:04 am
Subject: Re: Why is Buddhism not more widely accepted? neilrasmussen@...
Send Email

Could it be that the Dharma can't be "propagated"
until the causes and conditions are ripe?


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#287 From: wynn <wewynal@...>
Date: Tue Jul 17, 2001 10:52 am
Subject: Question wewynal@...
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Hi,

Question below.

I think there is no female in Sukhavati is Not because of Vow 35:

A friend wrote:

"If, when I attain Buddhahood, women in the immeasurable and inconceivable
Buddha-lands of the ten directions who, having heard my Name, rejoice in
faith, awaken aspiration for Enlightenment, and wish to renounce womanhood
should after death be reborn again as women, may I not attain perfect
enlightenment." [Inagaki's translation]

This does not refer to rebirth in Sukhavati, but to the desire
of a woman to be reborn in a male form in general.

This passage means that, if a woman desires to escape a further rebirth as
a woman, an undesirable state in ancient India, she has only to awaken
bodhicitta and begin practice of the Mahayana vehicle, and express this
wish to Amita (or the others mentioned). Since Amita has already attained
perfect enlightenment, this wish will be definitely granted to her upon
death according to this text.

The situation of women in ancient India was
terrible. Women could expect nothing but pregnancies one after the other,
with a good chance of dying in childbirth. Women could have no important
roles in society or culture. I don't need to go on. In ancient Indian
society (and many others too), whether we like it or not now, the position
of women was very undesirable.

------

But because of Vow 21:

"..........If, when I attain Buddhahood, humans and devas in my land should
not all be endowed with the thirty-two physical characteristics of a Great
Man, may I not attain perfect Enlightenment........." [The Sutra of Infinite
Life]

One of the thirty-two physical characteristics of a Great Man is a withdrawn
penis protected by a sheath.[see Lakkhana Sutta (DN 30), Brahmayu Sutta (MN 91)]

=======

Question 5:

Where is it stated that beings are reborn there miraculously,
not from an egg, moisture, or a womb?

Thank you,

Wynn

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#288 From: wynn <wewynal@...>
Date: Tue Jul 17, 2001 11:12 am
Subject: Bahai wewynal@...
Send Email

A Bahai friend wrote this to me. How would you reply?

He is very skeptical so if you are amking any claim I would appreciate if you can quote from the sutras.

Thank you,

Wynn

> Tell us, minus hyperbole and allegory, that there will be a Holy Land in
> the West, that you can be 'reborn into; if you chant the Name of
> Amitabha, the Light of the Infinete, Who is a Buddha Who wears red crown
> and robe,which Baha'u'llah did, and with another Buddha called
> Avalokitesvara, who wears green Robe and Truban, which the Bab did,and a
> Boddhisattva, Princ of the Dharma, significantly not a Budha, named Most
> Mighty Branch, who wears a white turban and a grey or light robe, which
> 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Most Mighty Branch did,and there is a mountain
> overlooking the sea, with gardens everywhere and a golden domed buiding
> on it,and this is how to recognize the Holy Land in the West.
>

> And you say that this has no connection with the Baha'i Faith? And
> expect exacly how many people to believe this?

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#289 From: Clifton Ong <sanath_sg@...>
Date: Tue Jul 17, 2001 2:08 pm
Subject: Re: Bahai sanath_sg@...
Send Email

The Bahai faith came out much later than Pure Land
Buddhism, and also, it wouldnt be surprising for them
to claim such because of trying to win converts.
Gassho,
Clifton (Shaku Do Tatsu)


--- wynn <wewynal@...> wrote:
> A Bahai friend wrote this to me. How would you
> reply?
> He is very skeptical so if you are amking any claim
> I would appreciate if you can quote from the sutras.
>
> Thank you,
> Wynn
>
> > Tell us, minus hyperbole and allegory, that there
> will be a Holy Land in
> > the West, that you can be 'reborn into; if you
> chant the Name of
> > Amitabha, the Light of the Infinete, Who is a
> Buddha Who wears red crown
> > and robe,which Baha'u'llah did, and with another
> Buddha called
> > Avalokitesvara, who wears green Robe and Truban,
> which the Bab did,and a
> > Boddhisattva, Princ of the Dharma, significantly
> not a Budha, named Most
> > Mighty Branch, who wears a white turban and a grey
> or light robe, which
> > 'Abdu'l-Baha, the Most Mighty Branch did,and there
> is a mountain
> > overlooking the sea, with gardens everywhere and a
> golden domed buiding
> > on it,and this is how to recognize the Holy Land
> in the West.
> >
> > And you say that this has no connection with the
> Baha'i Faith? And
> > expect exacly how many people to believe this?
>
>


=====
Gassho,
Clifton Ong (Shaku Do Tatsu)

Email: sanath_sg@...

Homepage: http://honganmission.cjb.net/

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