Strength, Balance & Confidence
As I write this article the Summer games of the Olympics will begin in Paris France is a few weeks. The opening ceremony will be on July 24th right in the midst of our Obon celebrations. There are a multitude of sporting events held in the Summer Olympics including surfing, track and field, baseball, golf and soccer. One of the most popular of all the Olympic sports is gymnastics. I am in awe as I watch young men and women perform amazing physical feats on the parallel bars, the pommel horse, the rings and on the floor. One of the most remarkable events is the balance beam which is only performed by the women gymnasts. Each time I watch I am both thrilled and anxious as I worry for the safety of the athlete as they perform on a beam only 3.9 inches wide. The “salto” or the somersault is the scariest of the required moves on the beam. It takes great strength, balance and confidence to perform on the beam. The Olympic athletes possess something that makes them great, and that is confidence. There are many distractions as they perform, but they concentrate and focus on their routine.
The beam reminds me of Zendo-daishi’s analogy of the narrow white path traversing a river of fire on one side and a raging river of water on the other. That path in Zendo’s analogy is only three inches wide, and to navigate the path one needs strength, balance and confidence as well as faith. There are many distractions but with faith one can safely cross over to the other side. The major difference is for the gymnast it is their own ability, but for Zendo it is the power of Amida that allows us to navigate the narrow path. The Japanese term for faith is Shinjin 信心. Shinjin is sometimes referred to as awakening, it is an awakening to the great compassion of Amida Buddha. We must entrust in Amida and move forward and ultimately be embraced in the great compassion. It is at this point that the power of Amida takes us to the other shore of Enlightenment. Great Compassion has always been here with us enveloping our life with air, sun, water food and all that sustains our life. Most of our time is living in distraction and we cannot see the Great Compassion and as a result we don’t feel or show gratitude.
Namu-amida-butsu is the sound of Great Compassion. No matter who we are, not matter what is occurring in our lives, whether living or dying each of us is bound to the dynamic life that is Amida Buddha-Great Compassion. As we recite the name of the Buddha of Infinite Life and Light, Namu-amida-butsu, all beings in our present and past come alive and we are one. It is an affirmation that this life holds great significance and appreciation. This is what gives us the strength, balance and confidence in our lives.
It takes strength of conviction to entrust in Amida Buddha who calls to us to cross over, to come just as we are. It takes balance in our lives both spiritually and physically. Taking care of our bodies and our minds keeps us balanced and able to hear, see and experience the truth of life that Amida teaches us. It takes confidence knowing that we are embraced by the Buddha.
Namoamidabutsu,
Gassho,
Rev. Hosei Shinseki
Comments