Monday, March 19, 2018

The Completed Altar Naijin at Myoko-in Temple


Three years ago, I posted the news about the construction of an altar for Myoko-in Temple in Deer Island, Oregon.
The Naijin was completed in 2015. Yesterday, we celebrated O-Higan.
Namu Amida Butsu






Poems to Share

Elfjes (little poems of eleven words)

Is
it possible
to jump for
joy while holding Amida’s
hand?

The
infinite embrace
of Amida brightens
every morning, afternoon and
evening.

I
have no
reason to complain
when I have so
much.

Diane
only hears
one tune in
her head which Amida
sings.

Seventeers (poems of seventeen syllables)

Amida walks with a
stride that allows my
heavy heart to keep up.

Will the spring flowers
bloom soon or must I
coax them from the ground
with song?

If Amida looked my way
would I see that his words
were meant for me?

A Few Words from a Stranger

Hello dear Dharma Friends far and wide. I find it hard to believe that so many years have gone by since my last posting. I should say Happy New Year 2016, 2017, 2018!  I feel like a stranger to my own blog. So, here I am again humbly submitting some thoughts and poems that pop into the head of this bumbling priest.


A Few Words

If it were not for Amida’s
call, I would feel lost
and abandoned.

The Nembutsu carries me
towards the land of bliss.
No doubt, I am happy!

I am sure that Marcus
and his poems will
reach the hearts of many.

Too bad I wasted so much
Time worrying.
Amida never worries


I jump for joy today because
the Nembutsu
will carry me home.

No effort to hear Amida’s call
is enough to
save you from hell.

To be a wanderer with
heavy karma is
my lot in this life.

Tell me Amida,
what do you think
about me?

I wake up
to another day
to say, Namo Amida Butsu!

It’s incredible that I
found my way to
the Nembutsu this time.

Samsara is the wheel on
which I spin. Amida shouts,
“jump off now!”

My time spent in the darkness
made the light of Amida
shine brighter.

Picking up the pieces
is an easier task with
a settled heart.

If Marcus were here he
would say, “stop your fuss
and say the Nembutsu!”

I see Kwan Yin in the face
of a stranger. Please help
be more kind.

Back on my feet again!
I shake off the dust and
hear Amida’s call.