Orange County Buddhist Church
Orange County Buddhist Church
That time of year has come around again, the time when we are supposed to somehow awaken the thought of gratitude, of thanksgiving. It seems as though we ordinary beings are unable to feel thankful every day of our lives, just to be alive and more or less healthy; therefore, we have this one day in November to remind us at least to show gratitude, if not feel it. Is this being too cynical? Of course, it is. While we might not feel it as often as circumstances dictate, still we do sometimes, maybe even often, feel some degree of gratitude.
As a follower of the Jodo Shinshu way, though, if we catch ourselves from time to time feeling that we need to express our thanks more, but don’t, we should use those instances to look into ourselves and, if we are fortunate enough to see our inner, true selves as illuminated by the wisdom and compassion of Amida, then we will realize why we are the target of Amida’s Vow. It is our inability, or reluctance, to express our gratitude and truly feel it that makes it necessary for Amida to give us a means to realize enlightenment, which means is Namo Amida Butsu. It is because we lack the sincerity truly to feel and express gratitude that we need the Nembutsu. Yes, there are exceptions from time to time, but our egos too often get in the way for us to feel true gratitude. Too often, we feel that we deserve what we should properly be giving thanks for. As with many other things, e.g., love, our egos get in the way of our truly feeling gratitude or love.
If, indeed, you do feel and express your gratitude on every occasion that would seem to require it, then it will show as not only gratitude, but as humility, for one cannot feel true gratitude without humility. At least, not from the Jodo Shinshu point of view.
Are you grateful that this is so short?
Gassho,
Dull-Rooted Jaan,
Rev. John Doami
