There's nothing special about my devotion to Amida Buddha.
First thing in the morning I light a candle and some incense for Him, it's like saying good morning Amida.
Then I offer* a small cup of water with a few drops of fragrant essential oils, exactly as if I were offering someone a cup of tea.
I say the Nembutsu, sometimes for half an hour, sometimes only a few minutes, when I have time, I recite my temple's Nembutsu liturgy.
I like to read some Dharma so as to have something to ponder on and in this way, continue the conversation with Amida throughout the day.
It's all very casual but that's okay, Amida is family, He doesn't expect any special treatment, He's happy to hang around and I'm happy and grateful for his presence, like any other family member.
And now, at this moment, we are simply enjoying watching the sunrise!
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Reverend Josho reminds me of this important aspect of making offerings* in our school:
Unlike other Buddhist Schools with self-power practices, in Jodo Shinshu, we do not transfer merit when we make offerings. This is simply because we don't have any!
We believe that, as Bombus, we are completely stuck in our quagmire of blind passions that any possible merit we may gain slips instantly away to be lost in the murky waters of our delusions and ignorance.
ALL MERIT BELONGS TO AMIDA.
When Amida bestows upon us his gift of shinjin, it remains His and therefore is NOT ours to share.
However, if we wish (there is no obligation to do so), when we make offerings to Amida Buddha we are able to make them in the name of all sentient beings or any sentient being of our choosing such as our loved ones, those still alive and those passed, friends, community, pets etc.
More significantly though, Josho encourages us to make offerings for anyone we may have mixed and negative feelings, those for whom we have trouble forgiving or for whom we may harbour angry and even hateful feelings and thoughts.
*"Offerings" refers not only to those made can be made to Amida but also any donations or help given to those vulnerable and in need
Articles by Reverend Josho: