What's New, Bombu?
A Companion Newsletter to BeingBombu.com
A New Year is a New Opportunity to Share the Dharma!
So why a newsletter?
When I launched the main Being Bombu website and blog, I was simply looking for a way to share my experiences as a follower of the Jodo Shinshu (True Pure Land) Buddhist path - to shine just a little bit of light in the darkness that seems to have been enveloping our world as of late. After all, if the Pure Land Dharma could give me hope in the midst of so much anger, selfishness, and death and help me to see the good that is hidden among it all, then I was sure it could do the same for others. The site and its blog became became my way of giving a little something good back and a true labor of love.
The format of Being Bombu, however, is designed to deliver Jodo Shinshu teachings, inspiration, and resources in small bites. My focus there is primarily on those who are new or unfamiliar with Pure Land Buddhism and its practice. I will soon be relaunching it with an emphasis on short introductions to the various things one might see or hear in any of our temples. It is thus not a good outlet for deeper applications and more personal explorations of the Jodo Shinshu way. That is where this new newsletter will come in.
Think of What’s New, Bombu? (WNB? for short) as a celebration of the Dharma in daily life and an attempt to apply it to the questions that frustrate our human understanding. Please know that I make no claim to be a scholar of Buddhism. I am not a minister. I will not even remotely pretend to have all the answers. If I did, I would not be here now. I am just someone who earnestly believes that we do not have to face the chaos and challenges of this world alone. We can and must work together and learn from one another if we want to create any kind of meaningful change and reduce the suffering of all on this planet.
So I hope you will read along as I share my experiences, ask big questions, and try to make sense of what I am learning. It is also my wish that you consider sharing your own perspectives and questions with me and your fellow readers. Subscriptions are free of charge, but participation is eagerly accepted. Welcome to What’s New, Bombu?!
Hōonkō: a Time to Remember and Reflect
The Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism as we know it today was founded by Japanese monk Shinran Shonin in 1234 AD. Long a practitioner of Tendai Buddhism, he abandoned his former practices and took refuge in the teachings of Master Honen Shonin. For almost 40 years, he expanded and spread the Pure Land doctrine throughout Japan. We commemorate the day of Shinran’s own passing into the Pure Land with a celebration we call Hōonkō.
The Japanese word Hōonkō can be translated into English as meaning “a gathering to return gratitude”. And that is what we do every year on or around January 16th1, the day that Shinran died in way back in 1263 AD. We gather in our temples and sanghas in a sincere show of thanks for the Dharma the master taught over the course of four decades and in the face of great social and political challenges.
For most Jodo Shinshu followers, Hōonkō is observed through a day of listening to and learning from esteemed Buddhist teachers. Listening to the Dharma is a key activity for us in our regular services, but on this day of celebration we tend to go really big and some speakers will travel great distances to share their thoughts on the teachings.
This year at the Los Angeles Betsuin we were honored with not one, but two excellent and learned speakers. Randomly enough, they also shared the same first name! Dr. Nobuo Haneda, a well-known author and engaging speaker, led us in a discussion of what we call the “Primal Vow” of the Bodhisattva Dharmakara - that unless all other sentient beings first became Buddhas, he himself would not do so. Dr. Haneda called this Dharmakara’s “innermost aspiration”. In particular, we looked at how there is reall happiness to be found in putting others first. It was an inspiring and touching exploration of one of the most fundamental of Jodo Shinshu’s teachings.
We were also joined by the jovial Rev. Nobuo Miyaji who took a very somber topic and turned it into an uplifting message of hope and possibility. His talk was all about how Jodo Shinshu approaches the unavoidability of all life ending in death. By seeing past the duality of marking life as “good” or positive and death as “bad” or negative to the reality that we really just move on to our next state, like we do constantly throughout each and every day, we can find peace in the unknown. By putting our trust in the compassion of the Buddha and letting go our attachments and desires to control our lives, we can find the space we need to live in and enjoy the present moment.
A big part of the joy of the day was simply being able to come together with our temple family and friends to listen to these messages and discuss our own thoughts and questions face to face. Knowing that we are all in this same boat we call life makes the waves and the storms we traverse far less frightening. That my friends is gratitude incarnate. With thanks to our teachers and the company of our dharma family, here’s to another wonderful and memorable Hōonkō! If you have never attended one, there’s no time like the next one.
“Even through ages of myriads of kalpas hard is it to hear such an excellent, profound, and wonderful doctrine. Now we are able to hear and receive it.” - The Three Treasures
This Week’s Shin-spiration
This week’s words of Shin-spiration come from none other than Shinran Shonin himself. They remind us that even as flawed as we are as bombu, Amida’s compassion is still greater and thus our own Buddhahood is guaranteed. Namo Amida Butsu!
“Although my eyes, blinded by passions, do not see the brilliant light which embraces me, the Great Compassion never tires, always casting its light upon me.” - Shinran Shonin
What to Expect from WNB
I hope to publish WNB? weekly. Life has a habit of getting in the way, however. So let’s see how it goes. Subscriptions will remain free, though donations (dana) in support will eventually be welcome. At both the top and bottom of the page, you will be able to comment on each issue or share them with others you think might benefit from the discussion. Please do not hesitate to post your thoughts and questions and to pass this newsletter on to others. New readers are always welcome! We even have a chat feature that is open to all. Just remember to be respectful! Of course, you are invited to check out the main site for even more Jodo Shinshu fun.
With gratitude and in gassho,
Sokusho
For those of us on the Gregorian Calendar. Temples that use the Japanese Lunar Calendar celebrate Hōonkō in November.