28 April 2014

Contemplation: Four Kinds of Faith

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your object of contemplation:

Question:  What kind of faith should someone have and how should he or she practice it?

Answer:  Briefly, there are four kinds of faith.  The first is the faith in the Ultimate Source.  Because of this faith, someone comes to meditate with joy on the principle of Suchness.  The second is faith in the numberless excellent qualities of the Buddhas.  Because of this faith, someone comes to meditate on them always, to draw near to them in fellowship, to honor them, and to respect them, developing his capacity for goodness and seeking after the all-embracing knowledge.  The third is faith in the great benefits of the Dharma (Teaching).  Because of this faith, someone comes constantly to remember and practice various disciplines leading to enlightenment.  The fourth is faith in the Sangha (Buddhist Community) whose members are able to devote themselves to the practice of benefiting both themselves and others.  Because of this faith, someone comes to approach the assembly of Bodhisattvas constantly and with joy and to seek instruction from them in the correct practice.

The Awakening of Faith (trans. Hakeda), pp.92-93.  Punctuation and diction altered slightly.

21 April 2014

Contemplation: Pass Through It

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your object of contemplation:
Even if the whole world is on fire,
Be sure to pass through it to hear the Dharma;
Then you will surely enter the Buddha's enlightenment
And everywhere deliver beings from the river of birth and death.
The Three Pure Land Sutras (the Larger Sutra), p. 41

14 April 2014

Contemplation: My Good Friend

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your object of contemplation:
If you have heard the Dharma and do not forget it
But adore and revere it with great joy,
You are my good friend.  For this reason,
You should awaken the aspiration for enlightenment.
The Three Pure Land Sutras (the Larger Sutra), p. 41

07 April 2014

Contemplation: Reach the Heart

After reviewing the guidelines for practice, take the following as your object of contemplation:
To obtain human life is difficult in the extreme;
To meet a Buddha in this world is also difficult;
It is difficult, too, for a person to attain faith and wisdom.
Once you have heard the Dharma, strive to reach its heart.
The Three Pure Land Sutras (the Larger Sutra), p. 41