Notes between breakfast
This morning during breakfast suddenly I found my self in the middle of a history lesson about Honen Shonin. Even before I finished my breakfast I had to get my notebook so I could make notes from the story David told me about this inspiring life of Honen, the greatest teacher of Pureland Buddhism in Japan. The life of Honen Shonin was 'painted' before my eyes, thanks to a fervent story teller. While peanut butter, honey and marmalade were still on the kitchen table, I wrote my notes between the toasted-bread crumbs. One and half hour later we ended with the death of Honen Shonin, the names of the three existing Pureland schools in Japan; Jodo Shu, Shin Shu, and Ji shu and the story about how the name Amida-shu exists thanks to the head priest of the temple Anrakuji in Kyoto.
What about the laundry?
Honen Shonin became a great and important teacher thanks to the fact that he made Buddhism available for the common people. His message was simple and accessible for everyone; “Practise nembutsu”. In a time of civil war and earthquakes when the common people had no rights at all, the message of Honen Shonin came at the right moment. Even when your had no education, no teacher nor study opportunities you could do your Buddhist practice and receive the love of Buddha.
After this inspiring breakfast we had some common problems to solve. What about the laundry now the pump of our washing machine is broken? We have a septic tank, because here there is no mains drainage. Because of the septic tank we collect the water of the washing machine into a big bucket and then pump away this water with a water-hose so that the water of the washing machine not flood the septic tank. This is quite complicated and time intensive.
David is used to washing the laundry by hand. I had some resistance to this idea especially at this time of year, and today was windy and a bit cold. So when David suggested to do the laundry by hand I was not immediately very enthusiastic... But he was... He took big buckets with warm water, one with soap and one for rinsing and started washing the laundry. I started to help by hanging it all out. Very soon this beautiful picture arises; all these red flags fluttering in the wind. We worked an hour and a half together. Altogether David washed the equivalent of 3 washing machines loads.
It was very nice working like this in the fresh air, talking. A daily common task can give a lot of joy. And it gives a happy view all these red flags waving in the sky...
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