Hi Dharma-friends!

Today you can listen to five more verses by Shinran in the collection Pure Land Hymns of the Right, Semblance, and Last Dharma Ages.  Shinran reinforces his understanding of Power-Beyond-Self as Amida's directing of virtue for going forth and return.  How fortunate for us to hear this teaching!  Amida, though great love of sentient beings, directs virtue for our going forth.  We attain great compassion thereby which, Shinran explains, is Amida's directing of virtue for our return.  We are told that Amida (Light and Life), Mahāsthāmaprāpta (Wisdom), and Avalokiteśvara (Compassion) sail together on the ship of the Great Vow on the ocean of birth-and-death.  They call out to beings like us and bring us on board.

Next time we'll finish this first section of the Shōzōmatsu Wasan.  Please be well.  For more Dharma content, be sure to check out the home page of the American Buddhist Study Center, ambuddhist.org

With palms together, Gary