tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post3888352265037896846..comments2024-03-21T00:18:25.414-07:00Comments on I See Japan...from L.A.: Jodo Shinshu - Shin Buddhism in Medieval Japanowenandbenjaminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09474307542498791351noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post-48164103648540657932008-04-28T07:09:00.000-07:002008-04-28T07:09:00.000-07:00Thank you for the comment Gerald.Your comment made...Thank you for the comment Gerald.<BR/><BR/>Your comment made me think. Although Shin Buddhism I have heard called the easy path. However, as the Story of Saichi demonstrates, it can actually be very difficult.owenandbenjaminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09474307542498791351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post-79200737098046485962008-04-27T20:06:00.000-07:002008-04-27T20:06:00.000-07:00The final sentence above from the book states that...<EM>The final sentence above from the book states that this faith is bestowed or comes from Amida Buddha. I do not yet completely understand how that point is reached by someone. The point when they chant the name with complete faith. But apparantly when that happens, Shinran stated that this true faith was actually delivered by Amida Buddha.</EM><BR/><BR/>I've heard of this book (and it's positive reviews), but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. I hope to at some point in the near future. :)<BR/><BR/>In any case, you bring up a good question, and one I can't really answer. I don't know myself. I am still stuck on the "trying to be reborn" phase, and haven't reached the stage of the settled mind, where one just trusts Amida without such a forced effort. I remember reading about Saichi, a famous poet and follower in the 1800's, who struggled with this for 20 years, and then finally had a breakthrough. It's not known what happened, but after that his mind was just settled and joyous.<BR/><BR/>Hopefully I too can see that someday as well. :)<BR/><BR/>See you!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01150776813254693234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post-28964739821025345802008-04-23T07:21:00.000-07:002008-04-23T07:21:00.000-07:00Thank you ponta. I will leave your comment here. ...Thank you ponta. I will leave your comment here. I also posted this on your blog.<BR/><BR/>I received your comment on my blog regarding the Debito blog post and the Hiragana Times. Thank you. Their are many stories on Debitos blog that may be true and I know some are such as the discrimination at some bars, hotels, and onsen. But some or many of his stories may also NOT be entirely true or not true at all. <BR/><BR/>I think the way Debito presents his issues often comes across as much too negative and it only hurts his own cause.owenandbenjaminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09474307542498791351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post-25944290602832726092008-04-23T05:22:00.000-07:002008-04-23T05:22:00.000-07:00I am really sorry, but this is completely off topi...I am really sorry, but this is completely off topic comment.<BR/>I am ponta, you may know me. I am notorious among Arudo Debito's fans. Am just a wired Japanese.<BR/>I've read your comment on Mr Arudo's blog. <BR/>http://www.debito.org/index.php/?p=1626<BR/>I thought your comment was fair.<BR/>I've checked with Hiragana Times and another organization he mentioned if his story is true.<BR/>I wrote about it on the following blog.<BR/>http://pontasmemorandum.blogspot.com/2008/04/response-from-ht-gov-mr-arudouis.html<BR/>I thought you might be interested in it.<BR/>Of course I welcome objections.<BR/><BR/>I should have e-mailed to you,but I couldn't find e-mail address on your blog. I am sorry for getting your comment section dirty by my comment. Please delete it after you have read it.<BR/>And please pardon me if it offended you.<BR/>Just be kind enough to forget my comment if you disliked it.<BR/>Thank you.pontahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03496115144024199418noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post-22994614632499589682008-04-22T07:08:00.000-07:002008-04-22T07:08:00.000-07:00That's right Martin. Sometimes it seams that a bo...That's right Martin. Sometimes it seams that a book I read brings more questions then it answers. But that can be a good thing.owenandbenjaminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09474307542498791351noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26681372.post-1596764633834374332008-04-22T06:50:00.000-07:002008-04-22T06:50:00.000-07:00"I do not yet completely understand how that point..."I do not yet completely understand how that point is reached by someone."<BR/><BR/>If that was easy to understand, then who would be reading books about it.<BR/><BR/>Glad to see such reading is an inspiration, keep it up.Martin J Fridhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14537556834410284837noreply@blogger.com