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Turning the light inward, illuminating the Self

When people are on their deathbeds and despair their life, it often happens that they are released from the bonds of life and suddenly can see what he has not been able to see and can understand what he hasn't been able to understand.Chinese people call such a biological phenomenon "huiguang(turning the light)-fanzhao(reflection)", comparing it to the natural phenomenon of the sky becoming bright temporally, reflecting the evening sunlight since time immemorial. It may be in this regard that Zen Buddhism monk masters often encourage ascetics to die once and come back to life in order to renounce worldly desires in their meditation hall.

Born of water and the Spirit

Jesus also said to a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again. I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. (John 3:3-5)Jesus might talk about his spiritual experience when he was baptized by John the Baptist in the Jordan River. The scene was described vividly in the following passage from Gospel of Matthew As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. (Mt3:16)

Born of the Spirit is the passport for the kingdom of God

Then Jesus preached Nicodemus furthermore. He said "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit." (John 3:6-8)

Meister Eckhart’s Selfless spirit

German Christian mystic Meister Eckhart (1260-1327) too said following. <He who is poor in spirit is receptive of all spirit. Now God is the Spirit of spirits. The fruit of the spirit is love, joy and peace. See to it that you are stripped of all creatures, of all consolation from creatures. For certainly as long as creatures comfort and are able to comfort you, you will never find true comfort. But if nothing can comfort you save God, truly God will console you.>

How to settle the disputes of Sovereignty and Economic interests

Japan, China and Korea's argument over the issues of dominium of Takeshima Island and Senkaku Islands have become more harsh and entangled because of interests such as oil under the sea, fishing rights and economic zones. Politicians in Japan, and also in China and Korea, may lose their political life and even their human life if they deal with such issues wrongly. Therefore not only them, but the whole nation needs to learn turning the light inward and illuminating the Self. I think it is a good sign that Japan, China and Korea's scholars are coming together, to study our own history.(Eko-an Hensho-koji 2005/07/02)

Reference:

Huiguang-fanzhao

In term of Zen Buddhism "huiguang-fanzhao" means 'learn to withdraw, turning the light inward, illuminating the Self (the Spirit).

Die once and come back to life

Zen Buddhists often use the word "die" when they encourage people to renounce worldly desires and die is one of the most important part of life in Buddhism.

Baptize with water and the Spirit

"Baptize with water" is called "misogi" in Japanese Shintoism which is one of the most important practice and Shintoism ascetics have to wash out all uncleaness and sins before receiving apocalypse.

Meister EckhartEckhart (c. 1260 - 1327/8)

Meister EckhartEckhart is one of the great Christian mystics. He was born near Erfurt in Thuringia and in his distinguished career became a Parisian Professor of Theology and took a leading pastoral and organisational role in the Dominican Order.At Strasburg he aroused suspicions and created enemies; his doctrine was accused of resembling that of the heretical sects of the "Beghards" and "Brothers of the Holy Spirit." The Superior-General of the Order had his writings submitted to a close examination by the Priors of Worms and Mayence. The history of this episode is very obscure. It appears that Eckhart was cited before the tribunal of the Inquisition at Cologne, and that he professed himself willing to withdraw anything that his writings might contain contrary to the teaching of the Church. The matter was referred to the Pope, who, in 1329, condemned certain propositions extracted from the writings of Eckhart two years after the death of the latter.In the language of the Christian tradition Eckhart expounds the eternal mysteries in a style that is fresh and original in the best sense. Through the vividness of his use of imagery (alluding to the mysteries of the spark of the soul, the Abyss, the desert, the birth of the Word in the heart, etc.) Eckhart paradoxically directs us to that which lies beyond image. The depth and universality of Eckhart's teaching has drawn seekers of truth Christian and non-Christian alike. His radical and penetrating insight makes him a natural point of reference for a genuinely ecumenical understanding.