211 to 220

No. 211
A predecessor stated, “Namu is the mind of a child and Amida Butsu is the mind of a parent.”

南無とは子心、阿弥陀佛は親心    (先学の言)
No. 212
The Head Priest said, “There is a phrase, ‘Pure practice of the nembutsu’. Our nembutsu becomes pure by being surrounded and illumined by good friends and companions.”

清浄行なる念佛は、善き友、善き仲間に取り囲まれること。即ち照らされることによって清浄となるのです。    (住職の言)
No. 213
The Head Priest said, “The Wheel of Light continuously illumines us, breaking through our self-centered consciousness.”

「光輪」は、刻々私を照らし破っていく。    (住職の言)
No. 214
The Head Priest said, “The fact that we have glimpsed the world of spiritual respect means that our selfish mind, so lacking in respect, has nevertheless already been illuminated.”

「敬う」という精神の片鱗を頂戴した時には、もう「敬わざる」己の心底がそこに照らし出されているのです。    (住職の言)
No. 215
In unexpected ways our Dharma friends awaken us to various aspects of ourselves. In this way we come to feel very strongly the importance of respect towards others.”

思いもよらず、お同行が限りなきことを気づかせて下さる。これが「敬い」を知る身近な実感です。    (住職の言)
No. 216
The Head Priest said, “Our Sangha will never develop if each of us merely depends on the instructions of others. Only when we are prompted from within to ask our own questions and to set our own tasks, will the Sangha evolve for each of us as individuals.”

外からの教えだけで、僧伽が開けることはない。自身からの問いと課題が出てはじめて、僧伽は一人一人に開かれてきます。    (住職の言)
No. 217
The Head Priest said, “Only when you become aware of all that has been done to help you in life, can you begin a new life and respond with gratitude.”

生かされている自分に気づく、そこからが報恩の歩みの始まりです。    (住職の言)
No. 218
The Head Priest said, “Through the ki (the self) that has received the nembutsu, deeper expression is given to the ho (the Dharma).”

念佛は受け止められた「機」によって「法」をさらに深めて表出します。    (住職の言)
No. 219
The Head Priest said, “It is the instantaneous awakening of the nembutsu that goes beyond the world of illusion. Thus the working of Other Power is revealed.”

一念発起の念佛が妄想の世界を越えてゆく。「他力」という証が明らかになっていく。    (住職の言)
No. 220
A young priest said, “When I met a good person who rejoiced at my ordination as much as if it had been his own, the whole process of ordination took on a much deeper meaning for me.

私の出家を我が事のように喜んでくれた人に出会って、出家の意味を深く感じました。    (出家得度した若僧分の言)