What is the Buddhist path? That's an easy one. For the answer we look to the Eightfold Noble Truths and the Six Perfections (Six Paramitas). Each of these can be broken into three parts. The first part has to do with attitude, which includes faith, outlook and understanding. The second part is ethics and morality, and the final part is practice.

Though we have conveniently broken it into three parts, each part incorporates all the others. By reincorporating the parts we have Engaged Buddhism.

"Light up your corner of the world" is taken from Dengyo Daishi's (Saicho, 784 - 823) writings. This phrase was taken as the name of an organization in Tendai that has several goals. In summary it is engaged Buddhism that encompasses work in this world to improve people's lives, to work for social justice, peace and the environment, and not least to emphasize personal awakening through this process. This involves outlook, faith, ethics and practice.

There are yet another three components of this practice: 1) living in harmony [with the environment and society] recognizing the co-dependent nature of existence, 2) service to society through voluntary efforts. Engaging society is to benefit one and others, 3) the practice of life - giving thanks for human birth to your family. This also involves appreciating this gift and adopting an attitude of joyfulness that seeks to reject a life of consumerism as a means of attaining happiness. Dengyo Daishi's writings were concerned with the effects of selfishness, self-centeredness and what we now refer to as individualism. These qualities were posited as being antithetical to awakening.

Why is chanting, meditation, scholarship, calligraphy, or any of the many other practices not included in the forgoing? They are assumed. That is, sitting, walking or other forms of meditation, as well as chanting, esoteric practices for those so instructed, and any of the many forms of individual practice are considered essential and assumed, thus they are not addressed in this particular set of teachings. It is also recognized that we can become deluded into thinking that any one of us can be awakened through the solitary practices alone. That is not to say our meditation practice is less important, it is very important. However, our chanting and meditations are not an end in and of themselves. They are part of the larger whole. To be "engaged" means that your life is directed by the totality of the teachings, not merely by one aspect to the exclusion of others.

Look at your life in relation to awakening and see the many facets as opportunity to awaken. Walk the Buddhist Path as a comprehensive style of living. The very essence of Buddha resides within you; allow your intentions to blossom into awakening for the benefit of all sentient beings. Be joyful in this understanding.

Love and Gassho . . . Monshin

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