Sunday, June 30, 2013

Infinite Altruism 菩提心

Shinran, a Japanese famous Buddhist monk, seems to have said, "The purpose of our life is to get salvation through the benevolence of Amitābha", but salvation is supposed to give instead of getting. The most important theme in real Buddhism is to master and practice Bodhicitta, infinite altruism or compassion for the benefit of all sentient beings. It is ironical that we will suffer if we desire salvation for our benefits, and we will be happy if we practice compassion for salvation of others.

親鸞は、人生の目的は「弥陀の救い」を得ること、と言ったようですが、救いは得るというより与えるべきものです。本物の仏教の最重要課題は菩提心、即ち他に幸せをもたらしたいと願う心を身に付け実践することなのです。皮肉なことに、自分のために救いを求めると苦しむ破目になり、他を救うために思いやりを実践すると幸せになります。