Contemplations and Aspirations
With deepest reverence and compassion, we are here together in the spirit of Gautama, the Buddha, and the Enlightened One. Life is one. We are one with the Buddha. We are one with the teaching. We are one in the spirit of universal brotherhood. We resolve to be earnest followers of the Buddha and to dedicate our lives to the way he has pointed out. Then we, like him, attain the noblest state of Nirvana.
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We surround all people and all forms of life with infinite love and compassion. Particularly do we send forth loving thoughts to those in suffering and sorrow; to all those in doubt and ignorance; to all who are striving to attain truth; and to those whose feet are standing close to the great change men call death, we send forth oceans of wisdom and love.
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May the infinite light of wisdom and compassion so shine within us that the errors and vanities of self may be dispelled; so shall we understand the changing nature of existence and awaken into spiritual peace.
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To all enlightened ones who are present in their teachings, we pledge our loyalty and devotion. We dedicate our lives to the way of life they have laid down for us to walk. We resolve to follow their example and labor earnestly for the enlightenment and welfare of all mankind.
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Our life is filled with warmth in sharing life with others. It is a simple truth to learn, but a difficult practice to truly fully realize. In personal life, it means to act by placing ourselves in the position of another, and in community life, it means to give service with joy and gratitude for the betterment of all. The practice of making others happy is based upon the clear understanding of life that is oneness. In deep gratitude, let us realize this oneness of all life, the heart of which is compassion.
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As one little candle lights another, so the light of Buddha’s compassion will pass from one mind to another mind endlessly.
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Open the eyes of the mind, and break through the darkness of ignorance. And close the roads of all evils. Therefore, O Ananda, be ye lamps unto yourselves. Rely upon yourselves and do not rely on external help.
Shakyamuni Buddha - Parinirvana Sutra
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Though I cannot see the light that enfolds me, my eyes being blinded by self-centered desires, the heart of true compassion constantly, endlessly, illuminates, and nurtures my body and mind.
Shinran
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The Nembutsu is neither a religious practice nor a good act on the part of man. Since it is practiced without any self-generated effort, it is called “non-practice.” Since it is a good created without any self-generated effort, it is ”non-good.” Since it is completely the workings of absolute compassion, and since it transcends all self-generated effort, it is neither a religious practice nor a good act of man.
Shinran, Tannisho
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The faults of others are easy to see but the faults of our own are difficult to recognize. If one sees hat he has a fault he must realize that the fault must be very grave indeed for him to recognize it himself; thus, he must take steps to correct his fault. Because it is difficult for us to see many of our faults, we should listen to the advice of others.
Rennyo
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If one walks looking far ahead and pays no attention to the ground beneath his eyes, he will stumble. If one gazes critically upon others and forgets to look into himself, he will bring tragedy upon himself.
Rennyo
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Let us cease from wrath, and refrain from angry looks. Not let us be resentful when others differ from us. For all people have hearts, and each heart has its own leanings. Their right is our wrong, and our right is their wrong. We are not unquestionably sages, nor are they unquestionably fools. Both of us are simply ordinary persons. How can anybody lay down a rule by which to distinguish right from wrong? For we are all, one with another, wise and another, wise and foolish, like a ring which has no end.
Prince Shotoku
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There is no place where moonlight casts not its cheering ray; whoever has the seeing eye with him, alone that light will stay.
Honen
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The notion of emptiness engenders compassion. Compassion does away with the distinction between self and other. When one sees the illusory nature of man, true compassion arises.
Tan Luan
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To study the way of the Buddha is to study yourself. To study yourself is to forget the self. To forget yourself is to have the objective world prevail in you. To have the objective world prevail in you is to let go of your “own” body and mind, as well as the body and mind of “others.” The enlightenment thus attained may seem to come to an end, but though it appears to have stopped, this momentary enlightenment should be prolonged and prolonged.
Dogen
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Vast, vast, extremely vast, are the scrolls of yellow silk (the sutras). Hundreds and thousands “In” (Buddhism) and “Out” (Confucianism and Brahmanism). Profound, Profound, very profound. Ways are marked and ways are shown, Hundreds of ways.
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What benefit in writing and reading, finally to die? Unknown and unknowable, self never knows self; thinking, thinking, and thinking, yet no sign of wisdom!
Kukai
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We surround all people and all forms of life with infinite love and compassion. Particularly do we send forth loving thoughts to those in suffering and sorrow; to all those in doubt and ignorance; to all who are striving to attain truth; and to those whose feet are standing close to the great change men call death, we send forth oceans of wisdom and love.
______________________________________________________________________
May the infinite light of wisdom and compassion so shine within us that the errors and vanities of self may be dispelled; so shall we understand the changing nature of existence and awaken into spiritual peace.
______________________________________________________________________
To all enlightened ones who are present in their teachings, we pledge our loyalty and devotion. We dedicate our lives to the way of life they have laid down for us to walk. We resolve to follow their example and labor earnestly for the enlightenment and welfare of all mankind.
______________________________________________________________________
Our life is filled with warmth in sharing life with others. It is a simple truth to learn, but a difficult practice to truly fully realize. In personal life, it means to act by placing ourselves in the position of another, and in community life, it means to give service with joy and gratitude for the betterment of all. The practice of making others happy is based upon the clear understanding of life that is oneness. In deep gratitude, let us realize this oneness of all life, the heart of which is compassion.
______________________________________________________________________
As one little candle lights another, so the light of Buddha’s compassion will pass from one mind to another mind endlessly.
______________________________________________________________________
Open the eyes of the mind, and break through the darkness of ignorance. And close the roads of all evils. Therefore, O Ananda, be ye lamps unto yourselves. Rely upon yourselves and do not rely on external help.
Shakyamuni Buddha - Parinirvana Sutra
______________________________________________________________________
Though I cannot see the light that enfolds me, my eyes being blinded by self-centered desires, the heart of true compassion constantly, endlessly, illuminates, and nurtures my body and mind.
Shinran
______________________________________________________________________
The Nembutsu is neither a religious practice nor a good act on the part of man. Since it is practiced without any self-generated effort, it is called “non-practice.” Since it is a good created without any self-generated effort, it is ”non-good.” Since it is completely the workings of absolute compassion, and since it transcends all self-generated effort, it is neither a religious practice nor a good act of man.
Shinran, Tannisho
______________________________________________________________________
The faults of others are easy to see but the faults of our own are difficult to recognize. If one sees hat he has a fault he must realize that the fault must be very grave indeed for him to recognize it himself; thus, he must take steps to correct his fault. Because it is difficult for us to see many of our faults, we should listen to the advice of others.
Rennyo
______________________________________________________________________
If one walks looking far ahead and pays no attention to the ground beneath his eyes, he will stumble. If one gazes critically upon others and forgets to look into himself, he will bring tragedy upon himself.
Rennyo
______________________________________________________________________
Let us cease from wrath, and refrain from angry looks. Not let us be resentful when others differ from us. For all people have hearts, and each heart has its own leanings. Their right is our wrong, and our right is their wrong. We are not unquestionably sages, nor are they unquestionably fools. Both of us are simply ordinary persons. How can anybody lay down a rule by which to distinguish right from wrong? For we are all, one with another, wise and another, wise and foolish, like a ring which has no end.
Prince Shotoku
______________________________________________________________________
There is no place where moonlight casts not its cheering ray; whoever has the seeing eye with him, alone that light will stay.
Honen
______________________________________________________________________
The notion of emptiness engenders compassion. Compassion does away with the distinction between self and other. When one sees the illusory nature of man, true compassion arises.
Tan Luan
______________________________________________________________________
To study the way of the Buddha is to study yourself. To study yourself is to forget the self. To forget yourself is to have the objective world prevail in you. To have the objective world prevail in you is to let go of your “own” body and mind, as well as the body and mind of “others.” The enlightenment thus attained may seem to come to an end, but though it appears to have stopped, this momentary enlightenment should be prolonged and prolonged.
Dogen
______________________________________________________________________
Vast, vast, extremely vast, are the scrolls of yellow silk (the sutras). Hundreds and thousands “In” (Buddhism) and “Out” (Confucianism and Brahmanism). Profound, Profound, very profound. Ways are marked and ways are shown, Hundreds of ways.
______________________________________________________________________
What benefit in writing and reading, finally to die? Unknown and unknowable, self never knows self; thinking, thinking, and thinking, yet no sign of wisdom!
Kukai
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