The Jesus Prayer and Nembutsu

[Ralph Woodcock]

I was interested to read the last post about the similarities between the Lord's Prayer and Pureland Buddhism.

It reminded me of a train of thought I had recently about the recitation of the Jesus Prayer ie "Lord Jesus Christ have mercy upon me a sinner" and the nembutsu.

Do you feel there is any common ground with these two practices?

[Dharmavidya]

Amida Buddha, I, a foolish being, call upon you.
Oh Buddha of Unconditional Love, I know that you are calling to me, though I rarely heed you.
Though I am a being of wayward passion, you cherish me.
There is no judgement in your heart - only in mine.
In my heart is much longing, like the longing of the mystics of all religions throughout time - not that I compare with them, but that I recognise their calling.
Amida Buddha calls to each of us, each in his or her heart, each time in a language specially adapted to the person.
Namo Amida Bu. Namo Amida Bu. Namo Amida Bu.
Your call is the universal call, the universal silence, the universal sound.
Our call is the echo, the reflection, the response of gratitude.
Namo Amida Bu.

[richard meyers]

With humility I recognise that alone
I can do nothing
My whole life I have tried again and again
Without you I can do nothing
In all my stumbling
I sense your hand helping me up
I hear your reassuring voice
Only you call me by my true name
Only you know where I need to go
Lord Jesus, have mercy upon me
Namo Amida Bu
Namo Kuan Shi Yin Po Sat
Hail Holy Queen Mother of Mercy.

[richard meyers]

Dear Ralph,
In terms of 'common ground': I think it must be an abdication of how 'I' want it to be. Thy will be done as opposed to my will. So Other power rather than Self power. A stepping out of the way and bowing the heart, is I think the common ground. The repetition aspect too, where the words get to almost say themselves eventually. There may well be other points worth mentioning too, connected to the significance of the phrases? I think 'beauty' may be involved and Grace of course.

[James Lignori]

Ralph-

I just joined Amida Trust at the recommendation of my teacher and friend, Clark Strand. When I began my study with Clark, he gave me a prayer rope woven of black wool and taught me the Jesus Prayer. It became my anchor as he worked with me in weekly interview, using koans from the Bible. Later, he introduced me to a Pure Land reading of the Bible, and I began to "pray" the nembutsu, still using the knotted prayer rope he gave me. Strand has just published HOW TO BELIEVE IN GOD: Whether You Believe in Religion Or Not. It is really a Pure Land reading of the Bible, as we practiced it for 10 years in interview and group meeting in Woodstock, NY. You might enjoy how it blends Christianity, Judaism, and Pure Land Buddhism. - James