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

Myoko-in Temple Website

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.

2015 - What does this year hold for you?

What does 2015 hold for you?

What do you plan to do with this new year?

The plan for this year is to continue to live a life grateful in the Nembutsu.

We will begin construction of a permanent altar for Myoko-in Temple NW.  In March of 2014, we purchased a large historic school in Deer Island, Oregon. The main two room school has been converted on the inside into our home.  Deer Island Manor was originally built in 1908 and served as a school to the small community of Deer Island up until 2009.  The school comes with a gymnasium.  The gym, now known as "The Great Hall" houses an art collection and library.  It will soon be the permanent home to Myoko-in Temple NW, a Jodo Shinshu Temple run by Rev. Diane Jishin (Johnson) Dunn (me).  The new altar (Naijin) will be installed during the months of February and March 2015.  Services are bring held the second Sunday of each month.  Once the Naijin is complete services will be held twice a month with Dharma talks and other Dharma activities.  Deer Island Manor also hosts guests as a Bed and Breakfast and has two large guest bedrooms with king sized beds.  We are located on AIRBNB and Facebook.  Come visit, share a meal with us and share the Dharma with us!

I will be working on a second book of poetry and will be collaborating with Shin poet, Marcus Jishin Cumberlege.  I am hoping for wonderful things to come about as I work with my dear friend Marcus.

I hope this little note reaches you and finds you well and happy and living a full life in the Nembutsu.

I encourage all of you to write, write write...write your thoughts and feelings about being a Shin Buddhist.  What does it mean to you?  What does Shin Buddhism do for you?  Is Amida in your daily life?  Have you said the Nembutsu today?

Let's say it together....  Namu Amida Butsu.....Namo Amida Butsu....Na-Man-Da-Bu......Na-man-da-bu.....Na-man-da-bu......

Gassho,
Jishin

Focus on the one.....

The actions of a few
have affected the hearts of the many
without focusing on the one,
Amida.




gassho,
Jishin

Light of Compassion

If it were not for the light of Compassion
I would be hiding in the shadows of my dark self
The blinding light helps me to see clearly
I am grateful to know
I am ok
Just as I am.........
Namu Amida Butsu





Thank you..
A beautiful sunny day here in my new home in
Deer Island, Oregon

Jishin

It's hard to feel good

It's hard to feel good, when my thoughts are scattered and not focused on the saving power of Amida's Vow...

Grateful that Amida is always focused on foolish folks like me...
Never scattered, always working towards my birth in the Pure land....Amida, Amida..thank you thank you...

Namu Amida Butsu






Jishin


- Namu Amida Butsu