People make a fool of me when I talk about Buddhism.

I began to be interested in sutras at the end of last year, and I have changed every verse of the sutras to the current language so that it is easy to understand with my smartphone and electronic dictionary by my side.

I've always liked classical music, and there are places where I'm drawn to kanji and words, so I can't help but enjoy this work.

It was when I was reading Shinran's book to understand the historical background.

I happened to find that book by an acquaintance, and they said, “You're reading a strange book,” so what about reading the sutras

In the first sentence, it was cut out, “I don't think religion is necessary,” and “it's because trying to read sutras in an easy-to-understand manner is really, really gross.”

It's not like I was denied making sutras easier to understand, but every time we met (about once a week), “A Buddhist bastard has come!” or “I don't feel like people who believe in Buddhism.”

What was clearly said was, “If you talk about Buddhism, you think it's changed, and it seems crazy, so you should stop it.”

I'm not just talking about Buddhism, and we should believe in the Buddha! I never emphasized that out loud.

However, I was only talking about reading Shinran's book and that I would be grateful (Buddha or Amida) if someone who wasn't a parent, sibling, or acquaintance would always watch over me and save me.

My first high school daughter also misunderstood me, and when I was reading a print I used to practice vocalization called “Hoshoji,” which I received from my teacher at the reading aloud meeting

“Stop sharing sutras in the house!!”
I was told to explain something different
“I made a mistake because I was reading sutras and listening to pujas in the house and doing all the disgusting things!” I was horrified.

For me, I think Buddhism is a source of emotional support for both children and adults.

But that doesn't mean I have enough knowledge to assert that, I don't go to a temple anywhere, and I'm just having fun reading the sutras, so it's not persuasive.

An acquaintance I talked about earlier also made a fool of me by saying, “Buddhism, Buddhism is extremely strange here, isn't it?” and said, “Please don't really get me involved!” I'm reminded of that.

Is devoting one's heart to Buddhism through sutras such a strange thing as being completely denied by others?

It's been a long time, but thank you for your support.

4 Zen Responses

From learning as education to learning as faith

Hello, nice to meet you.

You liked classical music, and as an extension of that, you also became interested in sutras. We had a good relationship. I am a Jodo Shinshu monk. As one of the people who is also familiar with Masanobu, I would like to say that I don't think my situation of concern is someone else's.

It seems like it's a specific “acquaintance” and your daughter who are blatantly denying your activities. There are people in every age who actively criticize it. Even at the time of Shinran Shonin, there was ignorance and rejection by people of other denominations. In fact, the saint himself has been charged with a crime by the Imperial Court and existing denominations and banished from the city.

Right now, “You should believe in the Buddha! They said, “I haven't even emphasized it loudly,” so it's probably unknown how much the relationship will deepen in the future. However, “is devoting one's heart to Buddhism through sutras such a strange thing that others completely deny it?” But that's not the case at all. Rather, if I were you, I think it's really amazing.

If I were to express my own opinion based on the teachings of the saints, many so-called “unreligious” people in modern times are, in other words, many “self-taught.” Humans are at the root of the worry of being trapped by egocentrism in the first place. Decide what is good or bad for your own convenience. In response to this, it is said, “Let's rely on this Amida” (Namu Amida Buddha). In other words, it is Buddhism that values the heart that is said to rely on Amida and not let them get lost, rather than making oneself a source of worry (self-religion). Therefore, people who do not rely on Amitaba-sama and live their lives centered on themselves are living according to their own religion, and they are unaware of that.

Studying Buddhism as a form of education is also very good, but at some point it may become necessary to touch on the content of faith. As a result of that, I believe that one day learning Buddhism will deepen and enhance my life will develop, and I think there will come a time when I can be excited.

Shinran Shonin says to those who criticize the teachings of Nembutsu, “I feel sorry and recommend Nembutsu.” The attitude is not to repel or push, but rather to recommend it without leaving it alone in the distance. It would be nice if one day I could face my daughter in that way (however, I would prefer not to meet this acquaintance as much as possible).

I'm sorry

There are also parrot incidents, etc., and people who don't know Buddhism may react like that.
I'm sorry for the inconvenience caused by our monks due to insufficient missionary work.
The other day, there was a memorial service, and a parishioner in his 50s told me that he was listening to the memorial service on the internet.
There are a lot of people (friends) like that.
Please don't worry.

That's why excellent [convenience] is necessary.

“Is it so strange that others completely deny it?”
Yes, I think that's true.

“Is it necessary now to explain what I have learned through my hard work? It is not easy for people who are obsessed with greed and hatred to grasp this truth. This defies the flow of the world, is subtle, profound and hard to see, and because it is minute, people who are greedy and covered in darkness cannot see it.” Even Buddha, the person who realized it, hesitated to tell others, so originally Buddhism is not that easy to spread.

Therefore, excellent [convenience] becomes necessary.

Now it's time for you to move on to the next level.

When it comes to Buddhism, religion, and if they believe in religion, they are strange people. That ridiculous image is ahead.
Also, even though it was originally for those of us who are alive, we have taken a stand only against the dead, and we are also responsible.
There are many reasons why this happened, but anyway, what is explained in the sutras explains the truth of the universe (although difficult), so at least it is a teaching to live in peace.
Therefore, it may be better to express that you are studying advanced philosophy rather than studying Buddhism.
Religion is philosophy plus prayer.

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