We see others' happiness on the surface . . .

“If many beings have been born in the Pure Land

and they have vowed to help us,

where are they?” 

They could be here already!

They just don’t walk up and say “Hi, I’m from the Pure Land, and I’m here to help you.” We wouldn’t believe them!

Remember the story of a man who drowned and went to heaven? This man asked God why God hadn’t saved him from drowning. God asked if he remembered the farmer who came by in a boat. The farmer offered to rescue him but he declined, saying he was waiting for God. “That was me,” God said. “But you refused my help because you were waiting for God.”

Like that man, we have preconceived ideas of how awakened beings will help us. So we’re not aware of true help when we see it. It comes from those who humbly work to build a center. From the cooks who prepare the meals at a retreat so we can chant in the cultivation hall. From the master who spends hours trying to find the right words to help his students understand the teachings.

Our help is here already. We just need to open our hearts and minds to see it. 

What if we like the practice, but . . .