Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Association from Romania

March 24th 2014

Dear brothers and sisters in the Dharma We, the sangha of Shakyamunis disciples may face many challenges in this modern 21st century but still the main problems of humanity and of all sentient beings remain the same as in ancient times, and more than this, the same as eons ago: suffering and dissatisfaction is still here, and it will go on after the present life is over. Many wise or not so wise people invented various ideologies to create heaven on earth yet they never acomplished it. Some proponents of these ideologies, politicians or political institutions may look to us, Buddhists, to give our contribution and work side by side with them to acomplish their goals. We may give a helping hand sometimes, to sincere people, when we are sure that their intentions and effects of their plans and actions are good and useful to other sentient beings and for the spreading and preservation of Buddha Dharma, but we should never forget that the only true goal of our religion is freedom from birth and death. We may live inside the world, help people inside the world, try to create a safe as possible environment for the Dharma, but in the same time, we should point to the freedom that exists beyond the minds and means of this world. As Buddhists, we know that there can be no true happiness unless perfect Enlightenment is achieved and that anything which is based on an unenlightened mind cannot last long. This world in which we live, this plane of existence, is the product of our karma and the inter-related karma of all beings. This impure common karma gave rise to an impure environment which also influences us and in which it is hard to have a true spiritual evolution, not to mention to create a perfect free and happy world. The truth must be told and retold - unenlightened minds cannot create enlightened countries nor change this samsaric world into a Pure Land. True liberation is not social or political, but religious - release from the repeated births and deaths and attainment of Nirvana. With these in mind, I wish to transmit my best wishes to all the participants of the United Nations Wesak celebrations in Vietnam, 2014. I hope it will be a successful meeting in which Buddhists around the world will help the world with the benefit that is true and real the words of the Buddha. Namo Amida Butsu

Rev Jsh Adrian Crlea Head priest and representative of Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Association from Romania