A Fistful of Sand

  Courtesy Nembutsu Art The  Hongaku Jodo  lineage, grounded in Tendai Buddhism’s philosophy of  hongaku shiso (“original enlightenment thought”), can be considered a complete system capable of leading one to enlightenment in this very body ( sokushin jobutsu ). This capability arises from its integration of doctrinal, meditative, and ritual elements that emphasize the immediacy of enlightenment and the Pure Land as a present reality. However, this depends on the depth of one’s engagement with its practices, philosophical understanding, and the degree to which it integrates complementary esoteric and Pure Land methods. Below is an exploration of how  Hongaku Jodo  functions as a potentially complete system: Philosophical Basis: Original Enlightenment The core of  Hongaku Jodo  lies in the doctrine of  hongaku shiso , which asserts: All beings are inherently enlightened because they possess Buddha-nature. Enlightenment is not something to be a...

Image from Nembutsu Art In Buddhism, a being who has developed a spontaneous wish and a compassionate mind to attain Buddhahood for the benefit of all sentient beings. In Buddhism, a bodhisattva (Sanskrit) or bodhisatta (Pali) is a person who is on the path towards bodhi or Buddhahood. In the Early Buddhist schools, as well as modern Theravāda Buddhism, bodhisattva refers to someone who has made a resolution to become a Buddha and has also received a confirmation or prediction from a living Buddha that this will be so. The Bodhisattva Path is highly relevant in the modern world, perhaps more so than ever. The relevance comes in six categories of action that seem to be if not the source of what we would today call "existential leadership" at least the earliest expression of it.  Altruism and Compassion At its core, the Bodhisattva Path is about cultivating compassion and wisdom for the benefit of all beings. In today's interconnected, globalized society, where suffer...

  The notion of a holographic universe and universal consciousness brings new dimensions to traditional Buddhist teachings, particularly Pure Land Buddhism, Shin Buddhism, Mikkyo Jodo, and Vajrayana practices related to Amitabha. These schools emphasize faith, visualization, and a relationship with the Buddha of Infinite Light, Amitabha (Amida in Japanese traditions). When seen through the lens of the holographic universe, the practices and goals of these traditions take on deeper philosophical significance. This article will explore how these concepts might align with or enhance the understanding and practice of these different Buddhist traditions, offering new ways of relating to the Pure Land and Amitabha as manifestations of mind within the context of a universal consciousness. 1. Pure Land Buddhism and Shin Buddhism in Light of the Holographic Universe Pure Land Buddhism, particularly as understood in traditional and Shin (Jodo Shinshu) forms, is based on the aspiration to ...