A Bruno Mars Song Reminds Me of Amida Buddha's Call

Do you know the song "Count on Me" by Bruno Mars, the Grammy Award-winning artist? 

It's originally a song about friendship. Recently, I happened to really listen to the lyrics carefully and when I heard the line that repeats over and over — "You can count on me like one, two, three, I'll be there" — I thought, "In a way, this really expresses the essence of 'Namo Amida Butsu.'"

One meaning of "Namo Amida Butsu" is "I entrust myself to Amida Buddha." But here's the thing — it's actually Amida Buddha calling to us first and we're responding to that call. We're not just one-sidedly pleading, "I'm putting my faith in you, so please help me."

"Namo Amida Butsu" is a call filled with the wish to bring us ultimate peace of mind. It's a call that comes from Buddha, who embodies infinite wisdom and compassion. It's Buddha calling to each one of us: "I'll liberate you from suffering, so count on me! You can rely on me!"

The song also has these lines: "If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea/I'll sail the world to find you," and "If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see/I'll be the light to guide you."

Our lives certainly have plenty of joy and happiness, but we can't avoid pain and suffering either. We might face difficult situations where we feel like we're struggling alone in the middle of the ocean, isolated and helpless. Or we might experience moments when we feel completely lost in darkness, with no idea which way to turn. 

In times like these, if someone says to you, "I'll sail the world to find you" or "I'll be the light to guide you," even if that painful situation doesn't resolve immediately, you can feel reassured, don't you think? "This is tough, but I'll get through it" — and you find the strength to keep going a little longer.　

The one speaking to you like this might be a family member, a partner or a friend or friends. But even if you can't immediately think of someone specific, Amida Buddha is the one who ceaselessly cares for you and keeps calling to you this way.

"No matter how difficult your situation is, wherever you are in the world, I'll come to save you." "I'll be the light to guide you." "So, you can count on me." This is Amida Buddha's call to us — "Namo Amida Butsu." 

How would you respond if someone said this to you? Along with feeling reassured, wouldn't you feel joy overflowing and naturally say, “Thank you"? 

That's the "Namo Amida Butsu" that flows from our mouths — our response filled with gratitude for Buddha's compassionate heart. 

Amida Buddha is never taking compassionate eyes off any one of us. This depth of caring is expressed in the form of the standing statue of Amida Buddha.

In Buddhism, there are many different Buddhas, not just Amida Buddha and they're represented in various forms as statues. Amida Buddha statues come in both seated and standing forms. The seated posture represents the quiet state of mind of one who has achieved enlightenment and has been freed from all mental afflictions.

But what about the Amida Buddha in Jodo Shinshu temples? They're all standing. This represents the dynamic working of one who, through enlightenment, can fully perceive all our pains and afflictions, takes that suffering as Buddha's own, and cannot help but rush to save those in such situations. This is the dynamic activity of Amida Buddha.

For example, imagine it's winter and you're having a cozy family gathering. You notice your precious child walking toward a fireplace with flames blazing red-hot. 

What would you do? Before you could even shout, "Watch out!" your body would instinctively start moving toward that child to keep them from harm. To Amida Buddha, each one of us is as precious as a beloved child. Buddha can't help but worry about us and simply cannot sit still. 

From this enlightened wisdom, we unenlightened human beings are surrounded by dangerous flames without even realizing it. Seeing us in this state, Amida Buddha cannot bear to just stand by.

When you look at Amida Buddha statues in the Jodo Shinshu style from the side, you'll notice they lean forward slightly. (Think of Michael Jackson's anti-gravity lean!) This statue represents the moment just before rushing to our side, already beginning to move. "In one, two, three counts, I'll be right there to save you!" This deep compassion is expressed in that posture. And Buddha keeps calling to us, "So rest assured, you can count on me! Namo Amida Butsu."

Because I receive this heart of Amida Buddha — "Namo Amida Butsu" — I'm supported by it, and at times encouraged by it, and with peace of mind, I'm able to live each and every day. For this, I am deeply grateful, and before I know it, the Nembutsu flows from my lips. Namo Amida Butsu.