“LOCK HIM UP!” by Rev. Kerry Kiyohara
Rev. Kerry reflects upon the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, and how as Shin Buddhists, we should try to respond to the horrific images of violence and destruction. There are no “winners” and “losers”, no “good” or “evil”, no “right” and “wrong”, just us, ordinary human beings trying to understand the Truth of Impermanence and cope with relentless change.
Quoted Scripture / text:
Hatred is, indeed, never appeased by hatred in this world. It is appeased only by loving-kindness. This is an ancient law.
Dhammapada Verse 5 https://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/verseload.php?verse=005
Conquest begets enmity; the conquered live in misery; the peaceful live happily having renounced conquest and defeat.
Dhammapada Verse 201 https://www.tipitaka.net/tipitaka/dhp/verseload.php?verse=201
“nonviolence is the answer to the crucial political and moral questions of our time: the need for man to overcome oppression and violence without resorting to violence and oppression…. man must evolve for all human conflict a method which rejects revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method is love.”
King, Martin Luther, Jr. Acceptance Address for the Nobel Peace Prize, December 10, 1964 https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/acceptance-address-nobel-peace-prize
I know nothing at all of good or evil. For if I could know thoroughly, as Amida Tathagata knows, that an act was good, then I would know good. If I could know thoroughly, as the Tathagata knows, that an act was evil, then I would know evil. But with a foolish being full of blind passions, in this fleeting world-this burning house-all matters without exception are empty and false, totally without truth and sincerity. The nembutsu alone is true and real.
CWS p. 679 A RECORD IN LAMENT OF DIVERGENCES http://shinranworks.com/related-works-by-other-authors/a-record-in-lament-of-divergences/
Buddhist Aspiration: Let us be grateful for this moment together, united by our aspiration to see the world as-it-is, not as-we-would-like-it-to-be, so that we may alleviate suffering for all beings.Let us be wise so that we can see both sides of conflict with clarity, and not insist that we alone are right.Let us be compassionate so that we can help all people without discrimination or judgement.Let us be kind and gentle to every living thing and protect all who are weaker than ourselves.Let us allow the Aloha in our hearts to manifest as Mahalo for the great ‘Ohana of Life and the blessings of the ‘Aina.In the Hongwanji tradition, we express our gratitude for All-Inclusive Wisdom and All-Embracing Compassion in this unrepeatable life by placing our palms together, bowing our heads, and saying Namo Amida Butsu.
Makawao Hongwanji Mission https://www.facebook.com/MakawaoHongwanji/posts/2261735247467713
More video’s by Rev. Kerry Kiyohara on this website: https://dharmatalks.jodoshinshu.faith/tag/rev-kerry-kiyohara/
Links:
Makawao Hongwanji YouTube Main Channel
Temple Website: http://makawaohongwanji.org/index.html
Rev. Kiyohara’s Blog: http://kerrykiyohara.com/
Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/MakawaoHongwanji
Donations:
Makawao Hongwanji Mission (Makawao Buddhist Temple) gratefully accepts donations in the spirit in which they are given. Donations are used to support our mission of welcoming all people to the Buddhist path of Wisdom, Compassion, and Peace, without discrimination or judgement.
link to donations page: http://makawaohongwanji.org/pb/wp_edd20ced/wp_edd20ced.html
