Reflection on our Troubled Nation From a Jodo Shinshu Perspective by Rev. Eric Matsumoto

A powerful message regarding racial discrimination (systemic racism & black lives matter) by Reverend Eric Matsumoto, the 16th bishop of the Honpa Hongwanji Mission of Hawaii.

Please read the full transcript here: https://hongwanjihawaii.com/message/a-further-reflection-on-our-troubled-nation-bishop-matsumoto-061720/

Quoted scripture/texts:

“If, when I attain Buddhahood, the humans and devas in my land should not all be the color of genuine gold, may I not attain the perfect Enlightenment.”

Vow 3 of the 48 vows of Amida Buddha https://jodoshinshu.faith/the-48-vows-of-amida-buddha/

Human beings tend to move in the direction of their thoughts. If they harbor greedy thoughts, they become more greedy; if they think angry thoughts, they become more angry; if they hold foolish thoughts, their feet move in that direction.

BDK – The Teaching of Buddha (way of purification, purification of the mind, verse 7) https://www.bdk.or.jp/pdf/buddhist-scriptures/02_english/TheTeachingofBuddha.pdf

“One must seek to cast off the evil of this world and to cease doing wretched deeds; this is what it means to reject the world and to live the nembutsu.”

CWS p 547 – Lamp for the Latter Ages 16-2 – http://shinranworks.com/letters/lamp-for-the-latter-ages/16-2/

Links:

HHMH YouTube Site: https://www.youtube.com/c/HonpaHongwanjiMissionofHawaii/f

HHMH Website: https://hongwanjihawaii.com/

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