Why is there chanting during meditation?

Slightly the wrong question… chanting is one kind of meditation. Meditation is not just sitting meditation, and even with sitting meditation, there is usually a breathing discipline along with other disciplines of posture, direction, duration, etc.

Chanting is part of Buddhism.

Buddhism started as an oral tradition (with no written language at the time). Thus, repeating the Teachings orally was one of the ways to pass them from one person to the next.

Currently, every Buddhist sect or school would chant part of the Sutras (words of the Buddha) as part of any religious service.

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

If you had the choice, would you be Bodhisattva or become a Buddha? For what reason do you choose this?

As a Mahayana Buddhist, one always chooses to wish to become a Bodhisattva. In reality, it is impossible to become a Buddha with all the mixed messages we get in this world.

So, to aspire to be a Bodhisattva is what is possible. And one would be motivated by Compassion to help others because we live in society.

There is an old saying which rings true: ”If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.” As a Shin Buddhist, we all want to go far, so we go together as a Sangha (our group of fellow travelers).

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

Does Zen Shin Buddhism mainly focus on the sutras/teachings of the Buddha? Why or why not?

First, Zen Shin Buddhism does not exist as a school or sect of Buddhism. We used to call it Zen Shin Sangha (Sangha is the group). So, it is intended to be a group who participate in Zen Shin meditation.

Zen Shin is a unique form in that it takes aspects of Zen Buddhism and Shin Buddhism to make it more comfortable for today. There is not much emphasis on the difficult study of Sutras nor an academic approach to the teachings. Rather, it is more like making the Teachings apply to each person.

If one decides to incorporate Buddhism into his or her daily life or to become a Buddhist, does that mean he or she can only be practitioners of Buddhism? Or can they practice other religions? This is an interesting question that only a Westerner would ask. To the Eastern mind and for a Buddhist, there is not a concept of “exclusivity” (i.e., there is not the idea that I am Catholic and thus not a Methodist, etc.) nor a feeling of “I am right, and you are wrong.”

To a Buddhist, one chooses his or her own “right” path, which means labels become meaningless.

(From the Westerner’s approach, one could start the Path of Buddhism without renouncing their past religion. For example, one could be part of two or more churches/temples. Over time, one would naturally gravitate to one school or sect as the Teachings became relevant. It should be a natural and organic move toward the Teachings that resonate, and other teachings/religions will just fall away.)

What does the Buddha teach?

Of course, to respond to this question would take a 100 years. In short, the Buddha, in his last talk, said something along the lines of: “Be a lamp unto yourself and always seek questions.”

To discover Enlightenment (to become a Buddha) means to make peace with yourself and to understand the world as it really is. There are limitless and different ways to explain this because each of us are different, and we have different abilities and talents. In practical terms, the Buddha taught: Wisdom and Compassion.

From a logical point of view, to find and discover Wisdom is so impossible, to find and discover Compassion is so impossible. To do the impossible, we have to discard logic, and there can only be a spiritual answer and, thus, we begin our Path with Buddhism.

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

Will meditating help me to realize no-self? How?

Meditation is a discipline which tries to help me “let go” of attachments and desires.

When we come to realize that the Ego-Self does not exist, then it is “no-self” or “non-self.” The Ego-Self is so very strong in humans (and is necessary for survival). But the reality is that the Ego-Self is temporary, thus, not real, which is to realize no-self.

So, meditation will help you realize no-self only if you allow it to become part of your life.

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

In Shin Buddhism, when you die, you go to the Pure Land. What happens if you have really bad karma in this life? Does Amida allow you into the Pure Land when you believe in him, say the Nembutsu, and want to be reborn in the Pure Land. Do you have to wait to be reincarnated in another life and live a good life? What if you still have problems in working your karma out in this life?

In Shin Buddhism, everyone will go to the Pure Land at death. No exceptions.

We are in our last cycle in Samsara because we are born into the realm of Human Beings, and the Universal, Absolute, Unconditional Vows of Amida has a storehouse of merit which overcomes all human limitations and defilements. This is a unique teaching because our Karma is overpowered by Wisdom and Compassion. This is often a difficult teaching to accept because we all want to be better than the next person and we want to think I am good person. In reality, however, we are all bad people full of selfish ego, blind passion and all the rest. It is only a matter of degree.

It is difficult to accept that Hilter, Pol Pot, Baby Doc, Stalin and all the rest will be born in the Pure Land, just like me. But that is the meaning of non-discrimination and the Universal Vow of Amida. There are no exceptions. Regardless of our past, we are all Born (or reborn) in the Pure Land, without exception. Of course, we don’t know when we will become fully Enlightened as a Buddha.

Saying the Nembutsu is something for this life. Again, a unique teaching within the Pure Land school. Shin Buddhists who want to experience Awakening (or Shinjin—which is often translated as “faith” but is more are like awakening)— in this life, can say, recite, practice the Nembutsu. This Awakening is a single moment of Awakening with the right conditions and is that spiritual Ah-ha moment.

Shin Buddhism, and all of Buddhism, does not use the idea of “reincarnation.” That is a Hindu concept that has been used to describe the Buddhist concept of “the cycle of life and death” (with the exception of Tibetan Buddhism, which believes the next Dalai Lama is the reincarnation of the past Dalai Lama. But note that the next Dalai Lama is already born when the past Dalai Lama dies, so this is not exactly the same reincarnation as the Hindu belief).

Buddhism teaches that everything is interconnected and inter-related. One life affects all life around it—in the past, present and future. Buddhism does not have a soul, or something that carries from one life to the next.

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

During Zen Shin Meditation, why do we walk? What is it supposed to symbolize?

There are many kinds of meditation. Sitting meditation, walking meditation and chanting meditation are the most common forms of Zen Meditation. Zen Shin meditation takes these and other forms of meditation as part of the mix of discipline.

Why do we walk? A good question, but I assume it is like breathing meditation—to become aware of the simple things we usually take for granted. Breathing, walking, talking (chanting) and all the usual human activities are usually taken for granted and remind us of being human.

Please consider eating meditation. That is, to eat each meal with full awareness of each bite and with the appreciation and gratitude for all that goes to make up that meal. Consider and be grateful for all the sacrifices that have gone into each bite.

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

How does Shin Buddhism differentiate itself from Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism? Are there different rules, readings or interpretations?

This would take a long time to answer because it is so complex. But in short, Theravada (school of the elders) tries to follow the footsteps of the historical Buddha with an emphasis on Wisdom. Mahayana Buddhism tries to take the essence of the Teaching (and not the exact letter of the Teaching) and there is an emphasis on Compassion and the Bodhisattva idea. Shin Buddhism comes from the Pure Land School within Mahayana Buddhism. Shin Buddhism is a religion of “thank you” for what I have already received (Wisdom and Compassion) and I only have to become aware of it; while most religions are religions of “please” (as in asking for guidance, asking for grace, or asking for something).

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

How would one go about practicing Buddhism in their everyday life?

For a Shin Buddhist, everyday life is our practice. It is profoundly counter-intuitive, but fully being a limited human is exactly why we can discover Awakening.

There are not the usual difficult meditations, there are not esoteric rituals to perform. Because we are so ordinary and so limited, we let go of our Ego-Self to be embraced with the Wisdom and Compassion that is Amida Buddha (the symbol of Amida Buddha is the Wisdom and Compassion that is already there in the universe).

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

During meditation, when your mind begins to wander, how do you get your mind back to the original “focus”?

During Zen Shin meditation, you count your breathing at a natural pace. So when you lose your focus, become aware of letting it go when you breathe out. One of the sayings that the leader often says is: “Breathe in, breathe out. When thoughts come up, let them come, and then let them go. Don’t engage with them. Let them come, and then let them go with your exhaling breath.”

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

This column originally appeared in the November 2017 Bulletin. We thought its relevance today makes it worth re-sharing.

If Shinran were alive today and happened to be on the playing field (or basketball court or baseball diamond, you get the picture) as the National Anthem played, do you think he would take a knee?

Shinran would probably take a knee; he was a radical in his own way. He was definitely not a political person, but he would be annoyed by the U.S. president trying to make political points at the expense of a racial minority.

Not standing for the National Anthem is not about disrespecting the flag and not about showing disrespect to the principles of democracy. Rather, it is about remembering that justice has not always been equally practiced.

He was definitely a person of the ordinary people and would have empathy with Black Lives Matter.

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

What is the purpose that Buddhism is meant to fulfill? I’ve learned about escaping samsara and becoming enlightened but is there another purpose or reason?

Buddhism has a broad spectrum of understanding. The “purpose of Buddhism” is to fulfill our full potential and awaken our Buddha-Nature (the potential to become a Buddha).

But, the “purpose of Buddhism” is also to discover Enlightenment and achieve Nirvana. But Nirvana is described as “to extinguish” all desires and selfishness.

And this is to escape Samsara, the 6 Realms of Existence, which are used to describe this world of human limitations. There are so many other ways of explaining Buddhism—maybe, our actions.

Thus, our course of action, when “being tempted,” is to take responsibility for our actions.

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

What does Buddhism say about impure thoughts and immoral impulses? In other religions it is looked at as temptation from evil spirits and such, but how does Buddhism explain the root cause behind the temptation of sin and what can be done to help ourselves when tempted?

Is there such a thing as a naturally evil person?

Second question first: In Shin Buddhism (but not all schools of Buddhism), there is no such thing as a naturally evil person. Everyone is evil, so it is only a matter of degree.

Impure thoughts and immoral impulses—an interesting question. Certainly from a Buddhist point of view, this is not “sin” since there is no sin in Buddhism (sin as understood as breaking commandants or rules).

The bottom line is “we are responsible for our thoughts, words and actions” thus, we have to use our judgment, knowledge, wisdom and experience to handle any thoughts (pure or impure) we might have, and then decide what words and/or actions we will use.

Also, as Buddhists, we cannot judge other people’s actions (being non-judgemental), and we cannot know the whole situation. We can only judge ourselves and use our tools (judgment, knowledge, wisdom and exerpience) to determine our thoughts and then, maybe, our actions. Thus, our course of action, when “being tempted,” is to take responsibility for our actions.

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

Why does Belle Knox get to make pornographic videos to pay for her Duke education and other people like myself take FAFSA student loan debt with interest
and have to do honest work to repay?

Where is the justice?

As a Buddhist, we cannot control what others do— nor can we judge them.

Belle Knox saw an opportunity to pay for college and took it. It is not the common way to pay for college, but it was her choice. As for most students, loans are about the only way to finish college.

For sure, there is no justice and there is no fairness. I certainly worry for this country and this world if it becomes the haves and have-nots.

For a more ideal justice, go back to the California Plan for Higher Education from the 1950s and 1960s—all community colleges, state colleges (24 campuses) and the University of California (10 campuses) had no tuition….every high school senior who was in the top 10 percent of the class could attend one of the U of C campuses.

This meant that a summer job could just about pay for dorm and books (and your parents would help at a reasonable cost).

It created great equality and diversity because money was the major determining factor of attending college or not. (Of course, then-Gov. Ronald Reagan started tuition in 1969, and the rest is history.)

So, the real justice is for you and your generation to make the changes in state government so that state colleges and universities could be tuition-free and could harbor real equal opportunity.

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

Do I need to go through a formal ceremony in order to take refuge or is this “informal” in Shin Buddhism?

There is no requirements or initiation ceremony to be a Shin Buddhist, just come as you are and be part of our Sangha (that is, to be a part of the group of “fellow travelers”).

To be a member of the Midwest Buddhist Temple, one only needs to make a financial “pledge” (fill out the Pledge Form). From time to time, we do have a ceremony conducted by the bishop of the Buddhist Churches of America (our national organization) in which one receives a Buddhist name and pledges to follow the Three Treasures—the Buddha, the Dharma (the Teaching) and the Sangha. But this is optional.

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron

Who offers comfort to a person who is grieving but cannot be comforted though he himself has already achieved enlightenment?

Is there ONE higher being that is acknowledged as a creator that can bring that comfort through Buddhism?

No, giving and receiving comfort is part of the workings of Compassion.There is not a higher being deciding what comfort means.

Buddhism is all about living, appreciating life because we realize that life is limited (i.e., death will come to each of us).

And achieving Enlightenment does not make one super-human, rather it makes one more human. Anyone who thinks or believes “I am Enlightened” is certainly not, because it would be an expression of the Ego-Self (the “I”).

Receiving comfort is like receiving food. We should appreciate and acknowledge the efforts of others (other people and all the things like sun, rain, soil, etc.). And remember that offering comfort requires someone to receive it. If the other person does not accept it, the comfort is meaningless.

It is like asking a blind man to see the sun and the clouds. We have to find ways so that a blind man can understand what sunshine is and what a cloud is.

Gassho (with palms together), Rev. Ron