By Rinban Katsuya Kusunoki

In January, I had a chance to attend the White River Buddhist Temple’s Hoonko Service. I thought it was a rare and precious opportunity, so I joined their meditation service. After the meditation service, one lady asked me, “A Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhist) minister told me that you as a Jodo Shinshu follower should not do meditation because it is not the Jodo Shinshu practice. Is this right?” I sometimes hear this kind of question. Here is my reply. “It is true that Meditation is not the Jodo Shinshu practice. In Jodo Shinshu, listening to the Dharma is very important. But when our mind is busy, we cannot listen to anybody’s talk and guidance. We meditate to calm down our mind and prepare ourselves to listen to the Buddha Dharma. With this understanding, I think we can do meditation. We have to be careful of growing our vanity and arrogance through practicing meditation. If it is so, we should change the way of practice or stop doing it. If the meditation practice causes the three poisons (Greed, Anger, Stupidity), don’t do it. We should practice meditation focusing on Wisdom and Compassion.” I am still learning how I should understand practicing meditation. Each minister and teacher have different understandings. I would like to hear their thoughts. Continue reading “Dana for World Peace, Part 5”