Who We Are
What's In a Name?
Hongaku comes from a compound Japanese word that comes from hon (ga) and ku. Hon refers to "original" or "primal.” Ku holds the meaning of "light" or "energy" or even "source". In the Japanese Schools, and therefore Tendai, Zen and Pure Land , hongaku shiso became a term referred to as "Original Enlightenment" or "Original Enlightenment Thought". The term is more aptly meant to be roughly equivalent to the Buddha's meaning of "Luminous Mind", that is, pabhassara citta in Pali, identified with bhavanga citta in the Abhidhamma. The Luminous Mind is also often associated with the Mahayana concept of bodhicitta, the "Awakening Mind". Most often, however, "hongaku" is seen to be a synonym for tathāgatagarbha, Buddha-nature, or "original emptiness" (of mind).
While Hongaku is a Japanese term often taken to mean “original enlightenment”. Hongaku also refers the “emptiness of the primal vow” (hongan + ku) made by Amitabha Buddha. It is in this context that the word is used. In Pure Land Buddhism this vow is the defining act that makes enlightenment possible.
The Buddha said, "Luminous, monks, is the mind. And it is defiled by incoming defilements." (Anguttara Nikaya 1.8-10) The mind's radiance becomes evident during meditation. Our own defilements, supported by our karma, obscures the natural radiance of the mind just as clouds obscure the clarity of the sky. It is the intent of practice to clear away the obscuring clouds that hides the radiance of the mind.
Jōdo was chosen because of its familiarity in the United States. The word is used in Japan to mean the "Pure Land" of Amida Buddha. The Pure Land is the purified mind. The steps to purification are enumerated in the Theravadin commentary the Visuddhimagga. Purification of the mind is the main practice of the Mahayana schools. In Jodo Shin, the Pure Land school of Japan, this purification is accomplished by trusting wholeheartedly in the Buddha Amida (Amitabha). In Zen it is accomplished by trusting in one's self and the practice. In Hongaku Jōdo, the purification process involves faith, confidence, in the Dharma of the Buddha and the practice.
What is this practice? The Buddha taught that to realize enlightenment, a person must develop two qualities: wisdom and compassion. Wisdom and compassion are sometimes compared to two wings that work together to enable flying, or two eyes that work together to see deeply. There are three specific parts to the path: virtue, concentration, and wisdom.
Who We Are
Late in the 1980s and early in the 1990s many Chinese and Japanese Pure Land teachers came to the West. In the US it was mainly Japanese and the rest of the world it was Chinese. They came with a message, “You don’t have to work so hard. There is an easier and more compassionate way. It is called Pure Land Buddhism” For the past 2,000 years it was the most popular form of Buddhism in Asia, but very unknown in the US.
The structure of Hongaku Jōdo is an organic one that allows individual members to practice in accordance with their proclivities, talents and needs. Members are free to form their own Sangha (community or congregation). They may also utilize the resources of the larger community and participate in the activities of the Greater Sangha.
Many of the ordained in Hongaku come from other traditions. For example, some from the Theravada school, many are from one of the various Zen and Ch'an schools. Still others were once ordained in Tendai and who ultimately found it did not resonate with them. Today they work within the Hongaku Jōdo framework to help bring traditional Buddhism into the 21st century and more available and accessible to the average being.
By the way, to avoid any confusion about titles and other nonsense, some of our clergy use the title "Ajari", which originally meant teacher and not much more. Dai Ajari just means "Big Teacher" and nothing more. Ajari can be seen as an equivalent to the Thai word ajahn, both ajahn and ajari are forms of the Pali and Sanskrit word acharya. Others call themselves "sensei" while others regard the use of the appellation of "reverend". In any case, they are all Buddhist teachers and ministers who are called to serve through the Buddhadharma, easing suffering as they can.
During the formation and early years of Hongaku Jōdo the focus was on Pure Land Buddhist teaching and practices. It was felt that these teaching would best resonate within the context of Western culture. At the time it did — it still does. As Hongaku Jōdo matured, so did the Western Buddhist model. We are a Western tradition comprising our own lineage and history. We are of the Western culture and fully intend to remain a Western Buddhist tradition, albeit a relatively recent one.
Learn Everything - Forget Nothing.
© Hongaku Jōdo2013-2016
Hongaku comes from a compound Japanese word that comes from hon (ga) and ku. Hon refers to "original" or "primal.” Ku holds the meaning of "light" or "energy" or even "source". In the Japanese Schools, and therefore Tendai, Zen and Pure Land , hongaku shiso became a term referred to as "Original Enlightenment" or "Original Enlightenment Thought". The term is more aptly meant to be roughly equivalent to the Buddha's meaning of "Luminous Mind", that is, pabhassara citta in Pali, identified with bhavanga citta in the Abhidhamma. The Luminous Mind is also often associated with the Mahayana concept of bodhicitta, the "Awakening Mind". Most often, however, "hongaku" is seen to be a synonym for tathāgatagarbha, Buddha-nature, or "original emptiness" (of mind).
While Hongaku is a Japanese term often taken to mean “original enlightenment”. Hongaku also refers the “emptiness of the primal vow” (hongan + ku) made by Amitabha Buddha. It is in this context that the word is used. In Pure Land Buddhism this vow is the defining act that makes enlightenment possible.
The Buddha said, "Luminous, monks, is the mind. And it is defiled by incoming defilements." (Anguttara Nikaya 1.8-10) The mind's radiance becomes evident during meditation. Our own defilements, supported by our karma, obscures the natural radiance of the mind just as clouds obscure the clarity of the sky. It is the intent of practice to clear away the obscuring clouds that hides the radiance of the mind.
Jōdo was chosen because of its familiarity in the United States. The word is used in Japan to mean the "Pure Land" of Amida Buddha. The Pure Land is the purified mind. The steps to purification are enumerated in the Theravadin commentary the Visuddhimagga. Purification of the mind is the main practice of the Mahayana schools. In Jodo Shin, the Pure Land school of Japan, this purification is accomplished by trusting wholeheartedly in the Buddha Amida (Amitabha). In Zen it is accomplished by trusting in one's self and the practice. In Hongaku Jōdo, the purification process involves faith, confidence, in the Dharma of the Buddha and the practice.
What is this practice? The Buddha taught that to realize enlightenment, a person must develop two qualities: wisdom and compassion. Wisdom and compassion are sometimes compared to two wings that work together to enable flying, or two eyes that work together to see deeply. There are three specific parts to the path: virtue, concentration, and wisdom.
Who We Are
Late in the 1980s and early in the 1990s many Chinese and Japanese Pure Land teachers came to the West. In the US it was mainly Japanese and the rest of the world it was Chinese. They came with a message, “You don’t have to work so hard. There is an easier and more compassionate way. It is called Pure Land Buddhism” For the past 2,000 years it was the most popular form of Buddhism in Asia, but very unknown in the US.
The structure of Hongaku Jōdo is an organic one that allows individual members to practice in accordance with their proclivities, talents and needs. Members are free to form their own Sangha (community or congregation). They may also utilize the resources of the larger community and participate in the activities of the Greater Sangha.
Many of the ordained in Hongaku come from other traditions. For example, some from the Theravada school, many are from one of the various Zen and Ch'an schools. Still others were once ordained in Tendai and who ultimately found it did not resonate with them. Today they work within the Hongaku Jōdo framework to help bring traditional Buddhism into the 21st century and more available and accessible to the average being.
By the way, to avoid any confusion about titles and other nonsense, some of our clergy use the title "Ajari", which originally meant teacher and not much more. Dai Ajari just means "Big Teacher" and nothing more. Ajari can be seen as an equivalent to the Thai word ajahn, both ajahn and ajari are forms of the Pali and Sanskrit word acharya. Others call themselves "sensei" while others regard the use of the appellation of "reverend". In any case, they are all Buddhist teachers and ministers who are called to serve through the Buddhadharma, easing suffering as they can.
During the formation and early years of Hongaku Jōdo the focus was on Pure Land Buddhist teaching and practices. It was felt that these teaching would best resonate within the context of Western culture. At the time it did — it still does. As Hongaku Jōdo matured, so did the Western Buddhist model. We are a Western tradition comprising our own lineage and history. We are of the Western culture and fully intend to remain a Western Buddhist tradition, albeit a relatively recent one.
Learn Everything - Forget Nothing.
© Hongaku Jōdo2013-2016
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