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On Amida, Faith, Practice and Realization
By Source of Wisdom,
Dharma Teacher, Hai An Order
Gatha of the Boundless Ocean
"Like a heavenly cloud, full of moisture,
Floating
over the Treasure-ocean,
Your warmth transforms me into the morning mist;
Becoming a floating droplet of water,
Falling
helplessly into that surging sea,
I can only entrust myself to your great compassion;
Merging into your boundless
ocean,
I realize that this great sea is within the mist."
Source of Wisdom's revised ordination gatha
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| Avalokita or Kuan Yin in Chinese is the personification of compassion: she is a consort of Amida. |
Surveying my inner life and development over the last few years, I humbly write the following
words as a brief exposition of the teachings and experiences that have molded my current spiritual realization. For 16 years,
I have studied and practiced Buddhism through its myriad of traditions. All Buddhist traditions are like splendid petals in
the great lotus of the Buddhayana; each has something to offer the spiritual seeker in his quest for Awakening. However, upon
encountering the Pure Land tradition of Shinran Shonin, my inner life has been completely transformed; through his teachings,
the experience of Great Compassion becomes a living reality in my daily life. Through his teachings, I realize that religious
faith is not just mere superstition or believing in dogma but an impetus to challenge beliefs, standards and understanding.
True faith is an inner personal transformation at the seat of consciousness itself that redirects and inspires us
to our human potential which is Buddhahood.
I would never have encountered these profound teachings if it were not for the guidance of the Spirit of
Great Compassion who out of deep pity for my foolishness had given me this gift of living faith. In addition, I am grateful
to the penetrating wisdom and living example of my Vietnamese Zen and Pure Land teacher Thich Tri Hoang who has provided me
with the moral, meditative and doctrinal knowledge that have securely set me on the road to Awakening. Also, I am grateful
to the members of the Hai An Order who over the last 2 and a half years have shared with me their personal experiences, wisdom
and humanity; they have proven to be wonderful teachers and compassionate colleagues. Therefore, out of deep gratitude, I
wish to expand my understanding and spread the teachings of hope and salvation transmitted to me by the Spirit, my teacher
and sangha.
To express my joy, I have gathered up some of the experiences and interpretations of Buddhism, based on
the Shin Pure Land tradition, which have most influenced me. Presented are the teachings on the nature of Amida, the practices
that cultivated my heart, the faith that has guided me and the realization that has given me peace. Some, who are not familiar
with Shin teachings, may perceive my viewpoints as unorthodox or blatant heresy but I make no apologies. On the contrary,
my thoughts are securely anchored in faith, experience and doctrine of Great Compassion, the Primal Vow and Blessed Name (nembutsu).
I do not claim that the presented thoughts are right for everyone but they are right for me. Let this be known.
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