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More Than a State of Mind
Buddhism is more than 'a state of mind'. It is an orientation to life. We enter into many states of mind in the course of a day and it is certainly impossible to remain in just one. The deeper rooted elements that make up one's life - one's faith, one's love, one's sense of beauty and truth - these things persist even when one is not making a particular effort. They are one's nature. They give rise to states of mind as circumstances come and go.
Through the practice of nembutsu we put ourselves in relation to the Buddha as a living presence and as a refuge that we can rely upon. As we place our reliance upon something as wholesome as this the cluster of factors that form the basis of our being are affected. To love the Buddha, even intermittantly, and to believe, at least sometimes, that the Buddha loves one unconditionally changes the whole frame within which one's life takes place.
Buddhism, therefore, is not just a technique. It is not synonymous with meditation or chanting or any particular ritual. These things are expressions of an orientation. They are ways to celebrate. They celebrate the wonder of Buddha's love. They also celebrate the joy of living in a sangha. The bond between those who practise together and support one another in the Dharma is more precious than any possession.
This kind of refuge can arise for us when we stop taking our own powers, entitlement and reputation so seriously. Religion begins with a self-re-evaluation. Realising our fallible, dependent and sometimes corrupt nature is a first step to opening ourselves to the influence of something better. By 'Taking Refuge' and placing the best thing at the centre of gravity of our life by being in a devoted relation to Buddha, we allow a powerful influence to start working. We orbit around it and one day, by its power rather than ours, we shall be taken to it entirely.
Through the practice of nembutsu we put ourselves in relation to the Buddha as a living presence and as a refuge that we can rely upon. As we place our reliance upon something as wholesome as this the cluster of factors that form the basis of our being are affected. To love the Buddha, even intermittantly, and to believe, at least sometimes, that the Buddha loves one unconditionally changes the whole frame within which one's life takes place.
Buddhism, therefore, is not just a technique. It is not synonymous with meditation or chanting or any particular ritual. These things are expressions of an orientation. They are ways to celebrate. They celebrate the wonder of Buddha's love. They also celebrate the joy of living in a sangha. The bond between those who practise together and support one another in the Dharma is more precious than any possession.
This kind of refuge can arise for us when we stop taking our own powers, entitlement and reputation so seriously. Religion begins with a self-re-evaluation. Realising our fallible, dependent and sometimes corrupt nature is a first step to opening ourselves to the influence of something better. By 'Taking Refuge' and placing the best thing at the centre of gravity of our life by being in a devoted relation to Buddha, we allow a powerful influence to start working. We orbit around it and one day, by its power rather than ours, we shall be taken to it entirely.
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