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Colored on silk, 113.3 cm × 60.9 cm
Muromachi period, 15th century
Although this is a type of Amida Raigo painting, it features two patriarchs instead of the usual Kannon and Seishi Bodhisattvas. The figure on the left is Great Master Shandao, and the one on the right is Hōnen.
Published in
Himei Yōkō, Tokiwayama Bunko, 1967 (Commentary by Toshio Sugawara)
Exhibition of Masterpieces from the Tokiwayama Bunko, Kanagawa Prefectural Museum, 1983 (Commentary by Shun Eto)
I am a loser by Dharma Master Shi Jing Zong
我是一個失敗者
文/淨宗法師
I have once read an essay written by Dharma Master Hong Yi, ‘I do not seek success. I only look for failures.’ At that time, it greatly impressed me. Now, I can truly feel the meaning of his words.
This body of mine is incomparable to others. This is my first failure because of my innate deficiencies. Even though I have this little vow to propagate the Dharma. But I realize relying on myself, this cannot be accomplished. With my low status, my voice carries no weight. I dare not speak loudly. I dare not think I can be a teacher. Even though I have this stubborn disease in my mind, want to teach people. But I face so many failures. Now I dare not seek humiliation in oneself anymore.
Every day, the three meals that I eat, the place that I stay, the things that I use are provided by others. But I can do nothing to benefit others. My livelihood depends totally on others. I am only a beggar living in the human realm. What success can there be!
Everything I do is a failure yet I am still alive, living well. I did not reach the dead end all because I am reciting Namo Amitabha Buddha.
A successful man depends on his success to live on. I found out that a loser can live on by relying on Amitabha Buddha. That is why it is said, the heaven does not close all the doors. There is always a way out.
The more failures we face, the more Namo Amitabha Buddha we recite. The more we rely on the Buddha, depend on the Buddha, we realize there are so many advantages.
Firstly, a successful man is hindered by his success. He can only see the success. A loser is not hindered by anything. Instead, he sees the Buddha.
Secondly, a successful man is sitting high on the horse. He feels so great. But he is still worried that he will fall down from the horse back. A loser can only lead the horse reins for the successful man. Long time ago he has already fallen down from the horse back. Now there is no place for him to fall down. So, he is very safe.
A successful man is admired by many, praise by them. he is the centre of attraction. But a loser is taken care by the heaven who takes pity on him. He is loved by the Kind Buddha.
When the heaven and the Buddha open their eyes to take care of the loser, the afflicted one, there is no more regrets for the loser even if the people in the whole world close their eyes, not noticing him.
A piece of hard rock is hit by a hammer thousands of trillion times. Finally, it becomes an adorned Buddha statue. A stupid and stubborn living being is hit by hundreds of thousand times of failures and he finally reveals the form of a man.
Every failure he encounters will erase a bit of his arrogance. He will also take pity on another loser a little more. Failures enable our mind to become honest, abiding by our duty. We become gentle and subdued, humane and kind. Failures are the special nutrients for our life. Facing failures is good. May be only the encounters of failures are beneficial.
Amitabha Buddha has thus said, ‘You have to undergo and experience many failures. But do not worry. I will take care of you.’ So, what worries do we have? The worldly people look forward to success. They are afraid of failures because they do have the support of the Buddha.
My destiny of life is already fixed. It means that in this world, I will keep on retreating, facing all failures and I will keep on retreating to the World of Ultimate Bliss. Over there Amitabha Buddha will give me all the trump cards.
A loser looks respectful and cautious. He is obedient and respectful. Among the people he only stands by the side. He only holds his breath to speak softly. His words are: ‘Yes, yes.’ ‘En en’ ‘Ah, ah’ ‘Oh oh’
At times I might forget I am a loser. I am most grateful to the Buddha’s Kindness. There will be failures to remind me again.
I do not mind to fail as I live in gratitude towards the Buddha. I do not want success as I am left out by the kindness of the Buddha.
An extract from jingzong18 WeChat
The king said: “Venerable Nāgasena, you said this, ‘One could do evil for a hundred years, but at the time of death might obtain a single mindful moment on a quality of the Buddha, and thus arise in the realm of the devas,’ I don’t believe this. And then you said, ‘One might arise in a hell realm by killing one person,’ this too I don’t believe.”
[Nāgasena:] “What do you think, your majesty, could even a small stone float on the water without a boat?”
“Certainly not, venerable sir.”
“But, your majesty, could even a load of a hundred stones loaded onto a boat float on the water?”
“Yes, venerable sir.”
“Your majesty, skilled deeds should be considered as like a boat.”
“You are clever, Venerable Nāgasena!”