Christopher Brainerd blogs about his journey into Buddhism

This is a collection of Christopher Brainerd's ramblings written as a novice student of Buddhism.
My primary practice is Jodo Shinshu, yet I ramble on many spiritual topics.
Some of what follows is original, some are quotes or summations for which I provide the source.
Gassho!

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

No I

There is no I.
There is only Amida.

There can be no justification for Ego.
Not justice, logic, goodness, correctness.
It is all a delusion to justify the Ego.
Which does not exist.

So how to be?
Don't think. Just be.
Compassionate. Always.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Trail of Thought

One thought-moment conditions the next thought-moment.
My last thought-moment in this life,
conditions my first thought-moment
in the next life.

Dukkha

Understanding dukkha (trans. 'suffering') one has no fears or anxieties. He cannot be upset by changes or calamities because he sees things the way they really are.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Going to the Pure Land

"If you want to go to the Pure Land,
then purify your mind.
When your mind is pure,
then whatever you see will be pure,
and wherever you go
you will find the buddha realm."

-Vimalakirtinirdesa Sutra