So far through the first 43 pages, the book has given me some additional and clearer understanding of what Shin Buddhism is. I have read several books on the topic and they often can be difficult to understand.
The following passage from page 34 of the book comes from Shinran's Kyogyoshinsho and it really clearifies Shinran's Jodo Shinshu Buddhism for me:
The third fascicle of the Kyogyoshinsho explores the nature and content of "true faith" (shinjitsu no shin). Faith's relation to practice is most clearly reflected in the statement: "True faith necessarily enatails Amida's name, but Amida's name does not necessarily entail faith, [which is derived] from the power of [Amida's] vow." The meaning of this statement is that true faith exists only in conjuction with the nembutsu, whether it is spoken or simply heard, but uttering Amida's name is not necessarily an indication of true faith. The nembutsu can be invoked without faith underlying it, but if it lacks true faith, the invocation of the name is not true practice but only the believer's insufficient attempt to secure salvation through personal effort. Shinran considered faith to be the pivotal term in Amida's eighteenth vow, but he associated it with two other terms appearing in the vow: sincerity (shishin) and the desire to be born in the Pure Land.
Hence, faith encompasses a threefold state of mind, but none of these components is the product of the believer's own effort. Like the nembutsu, each is bestowed on the believer by Amida Buddha.
One of the things I had trouble understanding about Shin Buddhism before reading this book was the concept of solely chanting Amida Buddha's name, Namu Amida Butsu, as the way to entrance to the Pure Land. It seemed too simple. Through Shinran, I see that a person who simply chants Amida's name with the goal of entering the Pure Land is really an insufficient attempt by that person to secure birth in the Pure Land.
The final sentence above from the book states that this faith is bestowed or comes from Amida Buddha. I do not yet completely understand how that point is reached by someone. The point when they chant the name with complete faith. But apparantly when that happens, Shinran stated that this true faith was actually delivered by Amida Buddha.
"I do not yet completely understand how that point is reached by someone."
ReplyDeleteIf that was easy to understand, then who would be reading books about it.
Glad to see such reading is an inspiration, keep it up.
That's right Martin. Sometimes it seams that a book I read brings more questions then it answers. But that can be a good thing.
ReplyDeleteI am really sorry, but this is completely off topic comment.
ReplyDeleteI am ponta, you may know me. I am notorious among Arudo Debito's fans. Am just a wired Japanese.
I've read your comment on Mr Arudo's blog.
http://www.debito.org/index.php/?p=1626
I thought your comment was fair.
I've checked with Hiragana Times and another organization he mentioned if his story is true.
I wrote about it on the following blog.
http://pontasmemorandum.blogspot.com/2008/04/response-from-ht-gov-mr-arudouis.html
I thought you might be interested in it.
Of course I welcome objections.
I should have e-mailed to you,but I couldn't find e-mail address on your blog. I am sorry for getting your comment section dirty by my comment. Please delete it after you have read it.
And please pardon me if it offended you.
Just be kind enough to forget my comment if you disliked it.
Thank you.
Thank you ponta. I will leave your comment here. I also posted this on your blog.
ReplyDeleteI received your comment on my blog regarding the Debito blog post and the Hiragana Times. Thank you. Their are many stories on Debitos blog that may be true and I know some are such as the discrimination at some bars, hotels, and onsen. But some or many of his stories may also NOT be entirely true or not true at all.
I think the way Debito presents his issues often comes across as much too negative and it only hurts his own cause.
The final sentence above from the book states that this faith is bestowed or comes from Amida Buddha. I do not yet completely understand how that point is reached by someone. The point when they chant the name with complete faith. But apparantly when that happens, Shinran stated that this true faith was actually delivered by Amida Buddha.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of this book (and it's positive reviews), but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. I hope to at some point in the near future. :)
In any case, you bring up a good question, and one I can't really answer. I don't know myself. I am still stuck on the "trying to be reborn" phase, and haven't reached the stage of the settled mind, where one just trusts Amida without such a forced effort. I remember reading about Saichi, a famous poet and follower in the 1800's, who struggled with this for 20 years, and then finally had a breakthrough. It's not known what happened, but after that his mind was just settled and joyous.
Hopefully I too can see that someday as well. :)
See you!
Thank you for the comment Gerald.
ReplyDeleteYour comment made me think. Although Shin Buddhism I have heard called the easy path. However, as the Story of Saichi demonstrates, it can actually be very difficult.