Head Minister Rev. Miura subbed for Rev. Nakano today and also did a Japanese-English sermon for the adults.
His topic: "Teaching of Enlightenment." He gave an analogy by ringing a bell. The clear tones represented the day you were born. Later in life, the sound becomes unclear. When you reach enlightenment - the bell sound is clear once more.
Traditional Buddhists believe enlightenment is achieved through meditation and purification. The Shin-Buddhist tradition is very simple, "know oneself." Self-awareness is the key to enlightenment.
Got G.A.S.? "G" is for "greed," "A" is for "anger," and "S" is for "stupidity." These things are not the way to enlightenment, however if you are awareness of these things you are practically there.
Shinran's favorite word is "shin-jitsu". The kanjji for "shin" is "true" and the kanji for "jitsu" is "real." Which could really mean "not to decieve oneself." Sometimes you have to be something for someone, for work or school, for parents. But "are you really doing "you?" "Are you doing the right thing?" Without the deception you cannot live, meaning you are an employee, a parent, a child, a teacher, etc., but "what is you?"
To be true to oneself is what Shinran has taught to be the highest goal to achieve.
Self-awareness.
Gassho...
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