2600 years ago a man named Shakyamuni recognised that he was one form of the universe, that he was a child of the universe, just as everything that exists is, just as we are.
Child of Buddha, Buddha himself, in his great compassion, his great mercy, he invites us to experience the same thing. He kept nothing to himself, he kept nothing secret.
Let us recognise that we have always been Buddha. Yesterday someone asked me how to deal with anger. Simply recognise that we are Buddha and, if we have forgotten that, come back to Buddha.
Understand that the vocation of human beings is to be truly human, that is truly Buddha. Carried away in the world of illusions, the only thing to do is to come back to our state of Buddha. Nothing is important, no shape or form should hold us back, and no plans should or can alienate us. If we meet with difficulties it is because we have taken a wrong direction, we are pursuing shadows. All the situations that we are given to live in are opportunities to awaken and return to Buddha. That’s what Shakyamuni taught and that’s why he is called venerable, honourable.
Shinran said, “Even the good will be saved, all the more so will the bad be saved.” Some people are lucky enough to be born with an open heart. Some people even believe that they are essentially superior. Some people are on the way. Some people believe that they have already arrived and they’re the good people. But there are those who are hung up, addicted, and their heart is closed tight. They are prisoners, they are attached to something. Attached to beauty, they suffer when beauty fades. Attached to ecstatic sensations, they suffer when those sensations are dissipated. Attached to human love, they suffer when love dies. Attached to pleasure, they suffer when pleasure comes to an end. To these people Buddha says, “No attachment to the savours of life, but yes to the infinity of life’s savours.” Only the state of Buddha allows that.
To experience that, just open your hands, open your hear, let go of your addictions, open your mind, and come back to what you have always been. The moment you do so you will manifest absolute wisdom and infinite compassion.
After his awakening Shakyamuni long had doubts and hesitated to teach because, he says, his teaching went against the selfish desires that fill us.
Yes to the infinity of life’s savours. No to attachment to savour. Infinitely subtle. That is the great liberty that is never hindered, always generous. So please, don’t join the ranks of those who, when they talk about Buddha’s teaching, call him a nihilist.
At the end of his life Buddha told us, “If you want to become like me, a Buddha – which you already are – then practise zazen.” There is the compassion of Buddha.
If we understand Buddha’s message, if we see it in all its depth and reach, if our heart is filled with gratitude and devotion, then we who suffer are borne up. That’s why Shinran says, “all the more so will the bad be saved.”
Nothing is worse than taking pity on those who suffer. Everyone wants to give, especially the poor. Not only great hearts, but also small hearts are Buddha.
