“If many beings have been born in the Pure Land

and they have vowed to help us,

where are they?”

They could be here already! They just don’t walk up and say “Hi, I’m from the Pure Land, and I’m here to help you.” We wouldn’t believe them!

Remember the story of a man who drowned and went to heaven? This man asked God why God hadn’t saved him from drowning. God asked if he remembered the farmer who came by in a boat. The farmer offered to rescue him but he declined, saying he was waiting for God.

“That was me,” God said. “But you refused my help because you were waiting for God.”

Like that man, we have preconceived ideas of how awakened beings will help us. So we’re not aware of true help when we see it.

It comes from those who humbly work to build a center. From the cooks who prepare the meals at a retreat so we can chant in the cultivation hall. From the master who spends hours trying to find the right words to help his students understand the teachings.

Our help is here already. We just need to open our hearts and minds to see it.

In the eyes of an awakened being, we are all seen as . . .

Often, others see the benefits
of our practicing Buddhism before we do.

Before becoming a nun, I would take my mother and her friend Ruth to run errands. When Ruth asked if I had changed since becoming a Buddhist, my mother told her how I seemed much happier. And more patient. She continued at some length, talking about how much calmer I was, how much easier I was to get along with. Much more patient. 

Finally, I interjected, “I couldn’t have been that bad before!” (But apparently, I was.) We laughed, and they moved on to another subject. 

I have come to realize that we may well not be the best judge of whether we are making progress. Maybe we’re expecting, or hoping for, a dramatic change. Maybe we’re being too hard on ourselves to be able to judge impartially.

Those who know us well will happily notice that we’re more at ease with others and more enjoyable to be with. So if we want to know if we are making any progress, it might be better to ask those who know us well. 

Just be prepared for the answer!

Do you have time to chant? . . .