From a big city
To a big city,
So many people
So many destinies...

What can a bonpu understand?
In this ever-changing world,
Full of little happenings
And big sufferings.

I do not know.

Trusting totally in Amida's compassion,
I keep taking refuge and praising him.
Namuamidabutsu
Namuamidabutsu.

Remembrance of No-surprise and No-expectation

1.Don't be even a bit surprised if suddenly you were diagnosed with an incurable disease even when you are still young. It’s a totally normal state of affairs in this world of pain.

2.Don't be even a bit surprised if your relative suddenly dies being previously completely healthy. It’s a totally normal state of affairs in this world of suffering.

3.Don't be even a bit surprised if millions of people die in a natural disaster. It’s a totally normal state of affairs in this world of loss.

4.Don't be even a bit surprised witnessing extreme violence and human cruelty. It’s a totally normal state of affairs in this world of degeneration.

5.Don't be even a bit surprised seeing utterly polluted and filthy places. It’s a totally normal state of affairs in this world of impurity.

6.Don't expect even to a tiny degree that  all your plans must be fulfilled. Not getting what one wants is a totally normal state of affairs in this world of frustration.

7. Don't expect even to a tiny degree that whatever pleasure you experience will last forever and will not be substituted by sorrow. Getting what one doesn't want  is a totally normal state of affairs in this world of impermanence.

In general don't put your trust and hopes in the Saha world. See the absolutely fallible, unpredictable and illusory nature of all things here, and turn to Amida for shelter, guidance, and trust for the benefit of yourself and all beings. Always remember: our true home is not here.

Namu Amida Butsu!

Realizing oneself to be a bonpu --
An ordinary being full of worldly desires and concerns --
Is not an easy thing.
One has to renounce all false identities, self-deception,
The illusion of "being good" and "becoming even better",
The falsity of spiritual pride, fired up by the ego.
One stands naked as one is, stripped off all the layers
Of insincerity, imagined position and pretense...
And then reverts to one's natural self, as it is,
Which can be not as beautiful and agreeable as one thought.

Entrusting to Amida and allowing Him to work on you
Is a natural act of a naked bonpu,
Recognizing one's spiritual powerlessness
And the great compassionate Other Power.
Total sincerity of entrusting brings the uncontrived changes
Without the need of any forceful, artificial efforts.
The heart naturally softens and rejoices,
Filled with reverence and gratitude...
And though the naked bonpu self is still full of worldliness,
It is forever transformed by the loving embrace of Amida,
Naturally and wholeheartedly!

Namuamidabutsu.    

Just like pearls thrown around the ocean,
Rare to find, their shells covered with mud,
So well hidden and almost impenetrable,
Looking rather ugly and filthy from outside,
Though with shining purity buried deep inside,
Just so are Shin Buddhists...

And unless somebody discovers the muddy shell,
Removes the filth and opens the shell,
Extracts the pearl and lifts it all the way up,
The pearl will be forever hidden in the ocean.

This discoverer, remover, opener, extractor and lifter
Is Amida Buddha himself,
Taking us from the filth of the ocean of Samsara
Lifting us to the pure Realm of Nirvana,
And it is all his work from beginning till the end...

And when the muddy and covered pearl
Unable to release itself from the shell and the mud
Hears the rescuing Call of Amida,
Then the pearl is filled with gratitude and joy
For such great compassion and love...
And then all that left is...
 
Namuamidabutsu!