2024（令和6）年の法語・法話

光明と名号がからみ合い妙なる音楽を奏でている

When the Light and the Name entwine themselves, wondrously beautiful music begins to play!

帰ってゆくべき世界は　今遇う光によって知らされる

To encounter the Infinite Light is to have our hearts turn to that infinite world where we shall one day return: the Pure Land.

念仏をはなれて仏もなく自分もない

Neither the Buddha nor the self exists outside the nenbutsu.

南無阿弥陀仏が私の救われるしるしであり　証である

Our saying, “Namo Amida Butsu” is surely proof we will be saved.

まことに浄土真宗とは聞法がいのちであった

To live in the true spirit of the Pure Land, we need to make Dharma-listening our way of life.

仏さまの光に照されて　私の心に明りがつく

When the Buddha shines that Light on me, oh my whole heart just lights up!

いい人　いい雨　いい天気　みんな私中心

Umm, nice person, nice rain, nice weather: Everything’s always centered around me, me, me!

行いと言葉の　背後に　世間があるか　如来があるか

The question is whether our words and deeds are based on the Tathāgata or worldly concerns.

私たちの人生の争いは　いつも善と善との争いだ

The struggle in life is always between one’s sense of good and that of others.

如来ご自身が南無阿弥陀仏となって　衆生の前にあらわれてくださった

To reveal the Truth to us, that Truth, the Tathāgata, had to become our voice saying, “Namu Amida Butsu.

人間が人間だけでやっていく　現代の問題はそこにある

Humans think only of what is good for humans. That is the problem of the modern age.

仏の救いのはたらきが　私の声となったお念仏

Our voices saying the Buddha-name nenbutsu is the Buddha’s salvific working for our benefit.

貴方の感じられている虚しさこそ　真実の世界への強烈な憧れなのです

That empty feeling inside is just our heart yearning for that truly real world: the Pure Land.