Though the path to the West has been pointed out, because I have hindered myself and others, since the beginning of countless kalpas, I have spent my time in vain. - High Priest Wasan, 'Praise of Master Shandao'

Yui-shin ◆ December 2021 Issue
Sincerely, I hope this finds all of you who have a connection to the Dharma continuing your practice of the Nembutsu. We have reached the end of the year, a season of cold and dryness. Considering various factors, I believe masks are a reliable preventive tool.
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Though the path to the West has been pointed out,
Because I have hindered myself and others,
Since the beginning of countless kalpas,
I have spent my time in vain.

[Paraphrase] Although the path to the Western Pure Land has been taught and shown, because I have hindered both myself and others from believing, I have spent time in vain in the world of delusion since the distant, immeasurable past.
(Source: 'Sanjo Wasan', edited by Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha)
Shinran Shonin deeply reflected on how the mind of self-power blocks the path to the West (the path to the Western Pure Land). At the same time, however, this verse is one that encourages us living in the present world to recite the Nembutsu of the Primal Vow. He deeply realized that the very moment one is led by the Primal Vow and encounters true salvation—that is, the moment one hears the true entrusting heart—is proof that the working of Amida Buddha has already been reaching out to oneself for a long time.
How did you interpret 'hindering myself and others'?
As a definition, it means 'becoming an obstacle to oneself and others,' but this does not suggest 'something' that becomes an obstacle; rather, Shinran is pointing to self-power itself. We must realize that being attached to self-power not only hinders others but also makes us our own obstacle, causing us to miss the once-in-a-lifetime chance to encounter the Primal Vow. It is a verse that cannot be truly grasped without deeply reflecting on the fact that the mind of attachment to self-power was within me from the start.
However, it is not easy to admit that we are bound by self-power and have placed heavy chains on our own hearts. It is similar to how it is difficult to admit that 'things done with good intentions' did not turn out as expected. I try to do my best without being swayed by results, but sometimes I get too involved or miss the mark. While I feel disappointed in myself, it is impossible to always be perfect like a Buddha. Amida Buddha does not make perfection a condition for salvation. Let us board the ship of the six characters while remaining imperfect and head toward the path to the West.
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By the way, I have recently come across the term 'altruism' on social media. Since it is treated as the opposite of 'egoism,' I understand that it is not being cherished as a Buddhist term, but I was surprised after searching for it a little. 'The advantage is that it is easy to gain favor and gratitude from others due to the strength of empathy and solidarity, wishing for the happiness of others over oneself out of a spirit of self-sacrifice'... and so on. This might be a rough excerpt, but it was shocking.
In Buddhism, the opposite of 'altruism' (ri-ta) is 'self-interest' (ji-ri). And in Jodo Shinshu, both 'self-interest' and 'altruism' are the heart of Amida Buddha. (Sometimes 'self-interest' is expressed as self-power, and 'altruism' as other-power.) As one filled with blind passions, I have no way to complete true self-interest, let alone altruistic acts. Please do not let the true teachings be confused with words used for the convenience of people (the world), and please spend your time in peace.
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Gassho, Namu Amida Butsu
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　 Chief Priest: Fukashi Hojo

🔶♦♦♦♦☆彡☆★★★★★★★★☆彡☆♦♦♦♦ 🔶
~This foolish self, right now, takes refuge in the Immeasurable Light Buddha of the Ten Directions~
"Song & Bowzu Man" Profile & Links
Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha Priest
Singer-Songwriter
Born in 1961: From Hiroshima Prefecture
Ordained in 1981
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♢Fukashi Hojo: Guragyu: Profile & Link Collection♢
"Song & Bowzu Man" Profile & Links
http://fukashi.blog50.fc2.com/blog-entry-34.html
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https://namowamidabuchi.blogspot.com/2021/07/song-owzu-manprofile-links.html
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♦List of Fukashi Hojo CD Works♦
(Song Collection Album) 1994–2021
https://note.com/dabuchi39180428/n/n643fa70cf8bb
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♦Blog II - Guragyu Notes: https://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/fukashihojo/
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♦Blog I - Guragyu Impressions 《Blog officiel de Singing monk》♦
http://fukashi.blog50.fc2.com/
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[Activity history; 1961–]
#2 ... History #1 is before I was born, so I don't know.
http://fukashi.blog50.fc2.com/blog-entry-240.html
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PRESS/MAGAZINE scrap
[Music Expression Activity Media Introduction Scrap]
http://fukashi.blog50.fc2.com/blog-entry-252.html
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PhotographDocumentaryList
[Photo Documentary List]
(Documentation: phonograph)
http://fukashi.blog50.fc2.com/blog-entry-193.html
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♦Connections, Musicians, Photographers, Guest Performers♦
http://fukashi.blog50.fc2.com/blog-entry-221.html
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"Singing Monk / Song & BowzuMan"
39 years (Thank You) summarized quickly
(2020)
https://note.com/dabuchi39180428/n/n7ebd2d9dd46a?magazine_key=m55718403f26e
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"As Time Goes By" Odetta M (2021)
http://fukashi.blog50.fc2.com/blog-entry-852.html
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Song & BowzuMan memo & notes
https://note.com/dabuchi39180428
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JION
http://fukashi.blog50.fc2.com/blog-entry-229.html

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🔶♦♦♦♦☆彡☆★★★★★★★★☆彡☆♦♦♦♦ 🔶
♦Taking ordination in 1981 as an opportunity♦
Looking up to the spirit and style of
neither monk nor layman expressed and embodied by Shinran Shonin,
based on activities [life] as a
priest without rank or office, living in the field,
taking ordination in 1981 (Showa 56) as an opportunity,
I dare to
"Song & BowzuMan = Singing Monk"
As a Message Performing Artist,
with the keywords of true 'connections' and 'bonds',
'dignity of life' and 'peace of mind',
both domestically and internationally,
transcending borders, race, culture, religion...
message performances
(concerts, music lectures) and work production (CDs, BOOKS, etc.)
developing unique music expression activities (neither rice-work nor life-work).
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Photo Documentary List
PhotographDocumentaryList
(Documentation: phonograph)
http://fukashi.blog50.fc2.com/blog-entry-193.html

♦Fukashi Hojo * Official Site♦
http://fukashihojo.com./

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Namu Amida Butsu
NAMOWAMIDABUCHI
NAMOAMIDABUTSU
'May there be the resonance of compassion and wisdom and peace in your heart'
Fukashi Hojo