“Thankfully, I’m a Buddhist!”
For someone who grew up in the United States, it may not be surprising to hear someone utter expressions like “Thank God.” American religion is often understood with Christianity as the template as the default framework, and this common phrase reflects that. However, this default framework poses challenges when implementing Shin Buddhism, which offers a different model of spirituality. The basis of Shinshu training is to chant the name of the Buddha, “Namu Amida Butsu,” with a feeling of gratitude. From a superficial perspective, this may seem like a prayer to God, but that is not entirely accurate. Unfortunately, using unfamiliar traditional terminology to explain its meaning can add even more confusion. (It takes a chapter each to explain terms such as “Bodhisattva,” “Original Vow,” “Amitabha,” and “other power.”)
Rather than relying on traditional definitions of terms, modern True Buddhists go directly to experience and practice. However, this practice is not motivated by achieving future goals, but by being grateful for what you have received. This practice is about cultivating our mind to shift its focus from focusing on the unpleasant to a mind full of bliss. True Buddhism focuses on the experience of the present moment rather than a desired future, and in doing so provides a way to awaken to ordinary working people who are not monks or nuns.
To experience Shin’s philosophy of life, we use “please” to express prayer and “thank you” to express gratitude for receiving a gift. With these words in mind, the true practice of chanting the Buddha’s name is to shift our mind from the desired outcome of “please” to the reality of receiving the present moment of “thank you.” This feeling of gratitude is traditionally directed toward Amitabha Buddha’s mercy. Amida is a Japanese term that combines two Sanskrit words, amita (light) and amitayus (life). Thus, Amitabha Buddha represents immeasurable light and infinite life. Light and life are two phenomena that make up everything we know on this earth and in this universe.
By using the familiar language of “the efforts of others,” we may be able to more easily understand Amitabha’s experience. Living a life of gratitude means always recognizing that our present moment is the result of the efforts of others. “The efforts of others” go beyond human contributions. It represents all life forms and history. For example, consider what is involved in providing food: farmers raising vegetables and animals, preparing them for market, transporting them to suppliers, selling them to customers, and preparing the meals for consumption. Every step of this process involves evolution, science, innovation, sacrifice, and labor. Interdependence reminds us that everything is intricately connected to sustain us. In this way, “Thank you” is an effective introduction to the experience of uttering “Namu Amida Butsu.”
Recognizing the benefits of human life in this way changes the perspective and quality of life. The joy expressed by the words “thank you” objectively opposes the ego’s desire to “please.” Receiving a gift confirms our membership in others. We begin to see ourselves in terms of “we” rather than just “me.” The corollary is that we become part of “other people’s efforts” to improve everyone else. When we realize that we have received so much in life, our natural response is to serve others.
Constantly expressing gratitude for the common conveniences of modern life can help you develop a broader and deeper insight into the unique and wonderful gifts of life itself. Gratitude Mindfulness brings the attitude achieved on the meditation cushion to the busy circus of everyday life. This refreshing and positive way of thinking made Shinshu the largest Buddhist sect in Japan. And this non-binary practice may also help Americans heal current social divisions.
Expressing gratitude is only the gateway to the deep spiritual experience of Namu Amida Butsu. Once the feeling of “thank you” permeates our daily life, we begin to replace it with the chant “Namu Amida Butsu” or even shorter “Na Man Da Bu.” The beauty of True Buddhism is that this practice in everyday life leads to deeper insight. We recognize that the difference between the everyday and the spiritual is determined only by our own minds. What was considered spiritual a century ago is now considered normal. However, everything that has brought us blessings is the result of “the efforts of others” and “the compassion of Amida Buddha.” Birth, the care and breastfeeding of infants and children are considered to be very normal events for humans. However, in view of 14 billion years of light and 5 billion years of life, we can qualify this process as spiritual. The Buddha reminds us of this reality when we chant the name “Na Man Da Bu.”
For those who have not given up on their normal lives of work and family, the Buddha provided a process of awakening in the practice of True Buddhism. Awakening to the rare occasion of human birth balances the fear of suffering and death. But for this truth to become reality, it must be put into practice.
If we maintain an attitude of gratitude, many of the deeper lessons from Shin will open up to us. The three poisons of greed, anger, and ignorance still exist, but they no longer dominate our lives. Our personal ego merges with other egos, and the qualities of humility, kindness, acceptance, and wholeness emerge. As we continue to experience “other people’s efforts” for our own benefit, Amitabha Buddha’s compassion remains primary. Namu Amidabutsu.
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To learn more about gratitude in Shin Buddhism, read “Finding the Spirit in Everyday Life.”
This article was originally published on January 25, 2022.
