“Chanting the Shoshinge” is the newest Everyday Buddhist course.  The Shoshinge holds an esteemed position in Shin Buddhist liturgy.  In the poem’s concise 120 lines, Shinran Shonin captures the essence of his formulation of the Shin Buddhist path to awakening. 

Image by Rev. Nori Watanabe

Astonishingly, Shinran wrote over 500 of these easily remembered and sung verses. Through his wasan Shinran was able to transmit the essence of his thoughts in the Kyogyoshinsho, in simple, easy to understand language, accessible to all.

Suddenly I saw a blinding flash and knew instinctively to run toward the center of the house. Even as I turned, there was a deafening noise and the house collapsed on top of me. Laying there, the nembutsu was all I could say, over and over. I heard a sound like rolling thunder, going on and on. After everything stopped, I struggled out of the rubble.

Chanting with this understanding of the verses from the Sanbutsuge, we become aware of Dharmakara’s hongan, or deep wish for attainment.  Through Amida’s limitless wisdom and compassion, the Larger Sutra says that liberation is available for everyone.  Shinran tells us that Dharmakara is the model for all of us in becoming a perfect seeker. 

On January 22, 2022, the world mourned the passing of Thich Nhat Hanh at his home temple in Vietnam at the age of 95. Known affectionately as "Thay" (pronounced “Tay”) by his followers, he is undoubtedly one of the most well-known Buddhists of the modern era, and his impact in bringing Buddhism to the world was profound. He was a pivotal teacher for me on my Buddhist path, and his passing is deeply felt.

Once you have created your home altar you will learn how to use it as a practice space. Instruction and a demonstration on how to properly do an incense offering (oshoko) will be given. Rev. Crane will also lead you through the protocol for conducting either a meditation or chanting session, and how to interpret notations in chanting books for using the bell and modulating tempo. Of course, one can practice in whatever manner they wish in their home, but it is instructive to learn the traditional protocols and choose whether to use them or not.

Despite the rampant commercialization of the Christmas holiday, there is nonetheless a special feeling we get at this time of year where a spirit of giving and good cheer pervades the air. Something about the end of the year brings nostalgia and a mindset of reflection to look back over the past year. This is a time to think about all the ways we have been supported and helped, human and otherwise.