Updates on my Buddhist Home Practice

Hello Dear Readers,

In June, I posted about the “day” and “night” concept used in Tendai Buddhist practice, using the example of the Jimon sect. I felt inspired to experiment a bit and try this out myself. My adjustments to home practice took a few twists and turns, but within a week or so I settled onto a consistent routine that I’ve been happy with.

Here’s what I’ve been doing for the past month, more or less.

For mornings, I focus on Kannon Bodhisattva:

• Read aloud the Heart Sutra. Sometimes the Kannon Sutra instead.
• Recite the mantra for Kannon used in Japanese esoteric-tradition: On a-ro-ri-kya so-wa-ka
  • I recite the mantra above 7 times.
• Dedication of merit, emphasis on the well-being of others.

For evenings, I focus on Amida Buddha:

• Read aloud the Shiseige.
• Recite the nembutsu.
• Dedication of merit, emphasis on rebirth in the Pure Land.

I have found that splitting the practice like this has had some benefits. For me, this style of practice lets me cover both the here and now, through veneration of Kannon and reciting the Heart Sutra, while also looking to the future through venerating Amida Buddha through the evening practice. I feel pretty content covering both aspects.

I made both morning and evening routines intentionally short and lightweight so they are more sustainable, rather than doing something elaborate.

Still, to be honest, sometimes I am still too busy to even do this much. Or I just forget. 😅

I am not proud of that, but I felt I should be honest with readers and let them know that mistakes in Buddhist practice are perfectly OK. Life is unpredictable, and for us are “householders” (e.g. lay-Buddhists), life gets in the way. That’s why the monastic community was (presumably) created: to give people the option of practicing Buddhism full-time, not part-time.

That said, Buddhist practice is like exercise: the more you can do, the better. Even a little bit is a positive thing.

Anyhow, when I am simply busy, sometimes I will just recite either the Kannon mantra in the morning, or the nembutsu in the evening. Sometimes, I can only just bow at the altar for a moment.¹ The Soto Zen resources I read previously often said much the same thing: adjust as needed, depending on how busy you are. Sometimes your home practice will be longer, sometimes shorter.

Just don’t give up.

Keep experimenting, keep trying, make it personal, and always be flexible.

Good luck and happy … er, “Buddhist-ing”.

P.S. I took a nice, relaxing weekend off to catch up on some things, avoid social media, and just unplug for a bit. I didn’t really have a plan, I just took a break. I may have also played some Fire Emblem games as well. The fun continues. 😀

¹ To make this “split service” work, I have two altars now at home: the main one for Amida Buddha and tiny little “side altar” for Kannon on my bookshelf. It’s basic, but it’s something I can keep building on over time.