Hsi Lai Journal of Humanistic of divine activity. However, this activity must be part of the natural Darel R. Falk’s and Kenneth R. Miller’s processes themselves: “What if the arguments are invaluable contributions to regularities of nature were fashioned in the vs. God debate. They show a way that they themselves allowed for that the debate itself is wrong footed and the divine?” [p. 191] In the most reflects both poor science and poor fascinating section of his book, Miller religious belief. One can only hope that applies nuclear physics to evolutionary what they have to say will eventually be theory to argue that there may be more heard in a debate that at the moment is going on than meets the scientific eye. more shaped by acrimony, rhetoric and Miller draws attention to the fact that ideological intransigence than any form of science works because it is based on reasonable inquiry. causality: it is able to determine what causes what and make predictions. – Kenneth A. Locke From this perspective, nature can be seen as a complex but deterministic system in which A causes B causes C, etc. However, when we enter the subatomic world, this concept of reality breaks down. Quantum physics has discovered that unpredictability is built Awakening to the Infinite into the subatomic world itself. The very structure of nature itself means that Llight: The Heart of “we cannot predict in advance what will Amitabha happen, no matter how precise our knowledge of the system might be” [p. 200]. The reader may ask what the By Kodo Matsunami subatomic world has to do with the Tokyo : Buddhist Searchlight Center evolution of species, but Miller is quick 2006, 224pp to point out that genetic mutations, which are one of the driving forces of The Amitabha Sūtra (Sukhāvatīvyūha evolution, take place because of events Sūtra [Sutra of the Buddha of Infinite at the subatomic level: “In other words, Light] is one of the most widely read / evolutionary history can turn on a very, chanted . This text recounts the very small dime – the quantum state of a world of Ultimate Bliss, the , single subatomic particle” [p. 207]. into which those who trust in Amitabha Humans, therefore, can not have (Amida) Buddha’s Vows and embrace ultimate knowledge of what causes what. various forms of Pure Land discipline are For Miller, the religious consequences born. This sutra was translated by an of these findings are profound: “That imperial edict of the Later Qin (384 – ought to allow even the most critical 417). The great translator Kumārajīva scientist to admit that the breaks in undertook the translation project. The causality at the atomic level make it Chinese and Japanese have been greatly fundamentally impossible to exclude the influenced by the version made by idea that what we have really caught a Kumārajīva. glimpse of might indeed reflect the mind of God” [p. 214]. Although Miller This Amitabha Sutra depicts an ideal does not say so explicitly, the fact of world, a “Land of Bliss” that is located in quantum uncertainty makes it possible the West Paradise. Adherents believe that to believe in a God who shapes natural Amitabha Buddha provided an alternate history within the laws of nature practice towards attaining enlightenment: themselves. the Pure Land. Instead of solitary

368 Book Reviews meditative work toward enlightenment, 2. “in the Land of Supreme Bliss , teaches that good qualities and ornaments like devotion to Amitabha will lead one to these are brought to perfection” the Pure Land from which translated by Professor Luis enlightenment will be guaranteed. Gomez; Chinese Buddhist devotees believe that 3. “This Realm of Ultimate Bliss is they can achieve their goal – to be splendidly adorned with such reborn in Amitabha's Western Paradise excellence to bring about by invoking and repeating the name of awakening” translated by Amitabha as often as possible to Professor Kodo Matsunami. reinforce a proper and sincere state of mind. Thus this scripture is one of the Here we can see that Venerable Hsuanhua most important as well as popular made painstaking effort not to neglect the scriptures in as it is meaning of “” in his translation while often part of the evening service. It is Professor Gomez conveys the meaning of also frequently recited at Buddhist obtaining the perfection. Professor funeral services. The bereaved family Matsunami’s translation demonstrates the members hope that the merit generated obtaining of awakening as well as the by reciting the sutra may be transmitted splendid scene being ornamented. The to the departed. word “awakening” gives full expression to the purpose of the supreme realm in this As this scripture was introduced into Ultimate Bliss Land. Japan, According to the author, more than half of the Japanese today are When we read the translation for the word registered as Buddhists, and Buddhism “天樂”in the next sentence, we can find in Japan today is organized into 13 sects that Professor Matsunami translated it as comprised of 56 sub-sects. When the “music playing to lighten the heart.” He average Japanese wants to find a prayer believes that such music can bring the for the repose of the souls of the enlightenment to the hearers. Professor departed, the phrase that most of them Gomez rendered it as “celestial music.” choose is Namu Amita Butsu. Thus, Venerable Hsuanhua translated it as this Amitabha Sutra is not a sutra solely “heavenly music.” Here I think that for the relief of the souls of the Professor Gomez brought an aesthetic deceased. It is the sutra that consoles meaning with a vivid touch in his and encourages people who are in translation. difficulties that cannot be solved by general knowledge. Professor Matsunami offers detailed annotations to this Amitabha Sūtra. He The Amitabha Sutra has many English divided the scripture into forty-seven translations. Each scholar cudgeled his sects. Then in each sect, he spends two or brains to work out the best translation as more pages in explaining things to help he could. For instance, “舍利弗。極樂 readers to understand the Amitabha 國土，成就如是功德莊嚴” is an Sūtra. The uniqueness of this book is extremely difficult sentence. Let us see demonstrated in Professor’s comment on the following versions. and explanations to the scripture sentence by sentence. Starting from Section 9 in 1. “The realization of The Land Chapter 2, he begins to tell reader about of Ultimate Bliss is thus how Buddhism was introduced to Japan meritoriously adorned,” and developed there. translated by Venerable Hsuanhua; In the last two sections, Professor Matsunami first looks back to the

369 Hsi Lai Journal of background of the Amitabha Sutra. He The World is One Flower: narrates how this scripture was translated into Chinese and its influence Buddhist Leadership for in both China and Japan. Amitabha Peace Sūtra, The Shorter Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra, and The Longer Sukhāvatīvyūha Sūtra are regarded as the Three Pure Edited by Chanju Mun Land Sutras. The Buddhists attach Blue Pine Books, Honolulu, Hawaii, importance to the recitation of “Namu 2006. V+291 pp. Amida Butsu (repetition of the ISBN 0-977553-2-0 invocation of Amitabha’s name” in order to achieve happiness. The Dr. Chanju Mun edited and published five recitation as a ritual is used to books in the year 2006. The World is One consolidate the state of mind. Flower: Buddhist Leadership for Peace is the one he edited and published last Finally, Professor Matsnami dwells on year. More than sixteen people the modern significance of the Amitabha contributed papers to this book. Sūtra. We live in a more comfortable and convenient world, full of material Venerable Ki founded and led the wealth and developments in science and International Seminars on Buddhism and technology. However, we are swayed Leadership for Peace, biannually held by desires, tormented by doubts and seven times during the period from 1983 fears, conflicts, wars, and strife. People to 1995. tend to believe that living a long life and This book edited by Dr. Chanju Mun making more money, material goods, collected twenty-one essays submitted to fame and power are the things that make the first and second international seminars them happy. Life is dear, but Professor initiated by Venerable Daewon Ki in 1983 Matsnami believes that the in the and 1985. Pure Land shows that we do not only move into that other world, but also In his preface, Dr. Chanju offers readers return to this world and teach those who information on a series of conferences in continue living the value and which the organizers tried to bring significance of human life. To return to together Buddhists from Asia, Europe and this world, we do our best to save the America to discuss issues other human beings from the concerned. Even North Korean suffering. This is the true value of representatives were invited to participate human life and the spirit of Pure Land. in the conferences for further understanding and communication. Buddhists of both North and South Korea – Darui Long were able to pray together for the reunification between two Koreas. This shows that Buddhists were able to go beyond politics because of their commitment to peace and prosperity, the common goal of mankind.

The contributors provided valuable insights into the topic of “Buddhism and Leadership for Peace” through their own experiences and viewpoints, and in their specific situations. These articles written more than twenty years ago are still

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