John your OWN lyrical abilities in reading SUTRA , skillful means has been foundational in my being able to listen to and understand with much dust in your eye , the meanings. You share this great storytelling quality with Jack Kirnfekd (who I affectingly think of as the. austerity Roger’s of Buddhism . Perhaps even the late Garrison Keillor , Tales of Lake Wobegkne. “ It was a quiet summer night in my Hometown ..at the Deer Park ..the great Tree, illuminated by the moon , its arms spread out . Welcoming the Biys at the Chatterbix Stupa, and “Al’s Pretty Good Yoha Ashram..”❤
Interesting point, Vladimir. It is the same as applies to other aspects of life. Also, the notion of intent is directly related, it seems, to the concept of bodhicitta - the intent or aspiration to attain enlightenment.
@@namoamidabuts We won't burn out bad karma without any reasonable intent to find liberation, the cessation ot suffering, omniscience, or any other great infinite vow. It might not be attainable in this life at all, yet the effort and failure burn negative karma, it is infinitely better than the usual heroic actions.
To my understanding, which is of course from my lay perspective, reading sutras would only be considered a self-power practice if one were reciting them as part of a practice intended to accumulate merit or to assist one in making progress toward enlightenment. I hadn't thought about it as a natural result from hearing Amida's Vow, but I like that idea, Kenneth. My view has been more along the line that it is simply my karma to do so. -John
John your OWN lyrical abilities in reading SUTRA , skillful means has been foundational in my being able to listen to and understand with much dust in your eye , the meanings. You share this great storytelling quality with Jack Kirnfekd (who I affectingly think of as the. austerity Roger’s of Buddhism . Perhaps even the late Garrison Keillor , Tales of Lake Wobegkne. “ It was a quiet summer night in my Hometown ..at the Deer Park ..the great Tree, illuminated by the moon , its arms spread out . Welcoming the Biys at the Chatterbix Stupa, and “Al’s Pretty Good Yoha Ashram..”❤
Thanks as always, Steven, for your kind remarks and creative analogies. You are a good story teller, my friend.
See bows.as.usual.my dsar Dharma friend..
Thank you and the.Rev.
I'm too ill to go on now. Pray for healing.
Namu Amida Butsu
May you feel better by the time you read my reply. Take care, Ray. Gassho, John 🙏
The action and the result are one and the same dharma
What I mean is that our efforts and intent are important, if we expect to succeed in something or not does not matter
Interesting point, Vladimir. It is the same as applies to other aspects of life. Also, the notion of intent is directly related, it seems, to the concept of bodhicitta - the intent or aspiration to attain enlightenment.
@@namoamidabuts We won't burn out bad karma without any reasonable intent to find liberation, the cessation ot suffering, omniscience, or any other great infinite vow.
It might not be attainable in this life at all, yet the effort and failure burn negative karma, it is infinitely better than the usual heroic actions.
Thanks John. Is reading sutras considered self-powered practice? Isn't it a natural result from hearing Amida's vow?
To my understanding, which is of course from my lay perspective, reading sutras would only be considered a self-power practice if one were reciting them as part of a practice intended to accumulate merit or to assist one in making progress toward enlightenment. I hadn't thought about it as a natural result from hearing Amida's Vow, but I like that idea, Kenneth. My view has been more along the line that it is simply my karma to do so. -John