Shin Buddhist Deeply Listening

Seishun Taiko 青春太鼓

On Friday evening, August 16th, we all enjoyed the vibrant sounds of the Seishun Taiko fall concert. It was a wonderful performance. Each piece expressed the performers’ joy of playing together, as they listened closely to one another’s sound. This experience reminded me of the essence of Shin Buddhist practice—learning the difference between simply hearing and truly listening.

Listening 聴 and Hearing 聞

In Japanese, there are two words that are both read kiku but written differently: 「聞く」 and 「聴く」. Both mean “to hear,” but they carry different shades of meaning. 「聞く」 refers to sounds that naturally enter our ears, like when we hear birds singing, children laughing, or cars passing by. It is passive—things we simply notice. 「聴く」 means to listen with attention, with our heart and mind fully present. This is an active and intentional act.

To understand the difference, imagine standing near a stream. If you are busy thinking about many things, you may only hear the sound of the water in the background (聞く). But if you stop, breathe, and really pay attention, you begin to listen deeply (聴く). You notice the gentle flow, the rhythm, and even how the sound makes you feel calm. The water hasn’t changed—it is your way of listening that has transformed the experience.

This distinction is very important in our Shin Buddhist path.

Who listens?

The listener is “me,” and it is also “you.” Each of us, as individual beings, listens in our own unique way. Shinran Shonin reminds us that we are ordinary beings full of limitations—our minds wander, we worry, we become distracted. And yet, it is precisely this limited “me” and “you” who are embraced by Amida’s great compassion.

What to listen to?

We are not just listening to sounds or ideas. We are invited to listen to Amida’s deep wish—the Primal Vow. This Vow expresses the boundless compassion that promises liberation for all beings, no matter who we are, no matter how burdened or imperfect. It is like a parent calling out to a child, or like a friend gently encouraging us: “Come as you are, you are not alone.”

When we hear the Nembutsu—“Namo Amida Butsu”—it is Amida’s voice reaching us. Our listening is not about straining to understand with intellect alone, but opening ourselves to what is already being spoken to us in the depths of life.

How to listen?

We are encouraged to listen deeply—with an open heart and mind. Just as when you listen to your favorite piece of music, you don’t just let the notes pass by your ears. You let the melody move you. In the same way, deep listening to the Dharma means leaning in with sincerity, letting Amida’s call touch us.

For children, it might be like listening to a bedtime story: when you are really listening, you can almost see the characters, feel their emotions, and imagine being part of the story. Listening deeply is not about effort—it is about allowing yourself to be touched.

What happens when we listen deeply?

When we open our hearts to Amida’s Vow, something remarkable begins to happen. Our worries may not disappear, our faults may not vanish, but our way of seeing life transforms. This is what we call spiritual transformation.

Just as listening to a beautiful song can bring peace or joy to your heart, listening deeply to the Dharma can bring a new awareness of life’s preciousness. We begin to see that every moment, every encounter, is supported by countless causes and conditions. Gratitude naturally arises. We find ourselves saying the Nembutsu—not as a duty, but as a voice of joy and appreciation: “Namo Amida Butsu.”

In our busy world, we often only “hear” things without really listening. We may hear someone speaking but already be thinking of our reply. We may hear the Dharma in a service, but our minds may be elsewhere. Yet Amida’s call is patient and unceasing. Again and again, the Vow reaches us, waiting for the moment when we truly stop and listen.

So, let us practice not just to hear (聞く), but to listen deeply (聴く). In doing so, we open ourselves to Amida’s boundless compassion, and we discover a transformation of heart.

May we continue to listen together as a Sangha—young and old alike—encouraging each other to awaken to the joy of the Nembutsu.

Gassho,

Namo Amida Butsu