VERSE ON HONEN
by Venerable Ikkyu (1394 - 1481) of Daitoku-ji Temple
傳聞法然生如來
安座蓮華上品臺
尼入道同無智輩
一枚起請最奇哉
前大德一休叟
"Tradition holds that Honen was a living Tathagata.
He originally sits serenely on the highest Lotus Throne (in the Pure Land).
For saving the multitudes of nuns, novices, and ignorant people, who are the same (everywhere), the "Ichimai-Kishomon" is the most miraculous and wonderful Dharma."
Note: Ichimai Kishomon means "One Sheet Testament". It is the teaching that Honen gave just before he died, summarising his understanding of the Dharma.
THE CYCLIC EXISTENCE OF SOCIETY
According to Buddhist theory we live in samsara and this means that things go round in circles that never exactly repeat, but, nonetheless, have a recognisable cyclic pattern, like the waves on the sea. In particular, samsara is a condition of delusion. Things are not what they seem. When one is lost in samsara, alternating periods of greed and hate succeed one another. The periods of greed tend to be long and those of hate, short, sharp and bitter. The world had a long period of greed up until the financial crisis of 2008. At that point greed - the consumer society - had reached its limit. The financial crisis was provoked by greed and dishonesty. Since then we have been in a period of hate. Wars break out. People complain about one another. Movements of condemnation arise. There is a tendency toward division, protest and mutual destruction. This should be a time when the corruption that arose during the time of greed gets swept away. Certainly, people have to tighten their belts and get used to having less. Eventually this will give way to a resurgence of greed. During this time of hate we see a new war in Europe, a struggle for supremacy in the Orient and even in the strongest country in the West there is a degree of division not seen for over a hundred years. The bodhisattva seeks to turn hate into constructive dynamism and greed into protection of good values and tradition. However, the forces turning the wheel of samsara shall not abate until the Buddha's intention prevails. As practitioners, we need to have faith in the Buddha way and patience to suffer the afflictions that come. No time is perfect, yet all are perfect times to practise. Although the wheel turns, the Dharma remains constant. When greed dominates, Namo Amida Bu. When hate overwhelms, Namo Amida Bu. The peace of the Buddhas is always at hand.
ELEUSIS NEWS
David: I have been away again, this time to Plazac in the south west of France. I will post some photos in future issues. I found a delightful small monastery called Dhagpo Dedrol Ling which is an off-shoot of the larger and better known Dhagpo Kargyu Ling a few kilometres away. Although the practice is different - Tibetan Kargyu - one immediately felt the same atmosphere of gentle friendliness that we enjoy in Global Sangha. I stayed at a place called Buddha Camp, not far away. I was able to walk from the one place to the other.
I also took time to explore the area which is very attractive. In the vicinity I saw three sites with prehistoric cave dwellings, and I believe there are also others. Reading the histories of these places I felt the bitter-sweetness of reflection upon human history: The tremendous energy expended in creating homes, villages and places of safety together contrasting with the savagery of the battles, wars, pillaging and destruction that, from time to time, interrupted the development of these spectacular constructions.
BOOKS RECEIVED
about a member of the Triratna community who was born with one hand. Delightfully written. Very down to earth. It is easy to identify with the author as he struggles with the challenges of trying to be a Dharma practitioner in the contemporary consumerist, materialist, nationalistic world, with all its temptations and fanciful ideas and humdrum realities.
EVENT IN SPAIN IN NOVEMBER