Reading Material:
Spiritual Advice for Fears of Pandemic
by Gesshin Claire Greenwood
The Six Recollections :
Some people are afraid of illness, death, or regression to the three evil destinies after death. Full of worry and regret, they are extremely miserable. The Buddha said that people whose minds are timid and fearful should practice the doctrine of the six recollections.
“Recollection,” which means being mindful and remembering, is a convenient method for practicing meditation.
What are the six recollections?
The six kinds of mindfulness to dwell upon: Buddha 念佛, the Dharma 念法, the saṃgha 念僧, the precepts 念戒, almsgiving 念施, and heaven with its prospective joys 念天, according to the Dīrghâgama
The first three types of Recollections:
(1) The recollection of the excellent and solemn appearance of the Buddha, as well as the Buddha’s virtues: wisdom, grace, and freedom from defilements.
(2) The recollection of the Buddha’s true Dharma, which is comforting and can lead to emancipation. If one can accept it and follow it appropriately, one can thoroughly understand and realize the Truth at any time.
(3) The recollection of the śrāvaka Saṅgha / The recollection of the bodhisattva Saṅgha
(3a) The śrāvaka Saṅgha: These are beings who virtuously keep the precepts, practice meditation, and have wisdom, liberation, and perfect knowledge of liberation; they are the field of good fortune in this world.
(3b) The bodhisattva Saṅgha: those who have great compassion and great wisdom and are a benefit to themselves and others.
The Result of Recollections:
When one’s mind is focused securely on the pure and awesome virtues of the Buddha (Dharma or Saṅgha), one can leave behind deviant thoughts, defiled desires, worries, regrets, and fears.
~~ excerpted from The Way to Buddhahood, verse 57
Sample videoclips :
The Recollection of the Buddha (by chanting Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa)
Literally, I pay homage to the Blessed One, the Worthy One, the Fully Enlightened One.
The Recollection of the Saṅgha (by chanting Namo Avalokiteshvara)
Literally, I pay homage to the Bodhisattva of infinite compassion and mercy.
Food for Thought:
What’s your common practice whenever you encounter fear or worry?
