Category: Letters
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Concerning Thought and No-thought
The idea of Amida’s coming at the moment of death is for those who seek to gain birth in the Pure Land by doing various practices, for they are practicers of self-power. The moment of death is of central concern to such people, for they have not yet attained true shinjin. We may also speak…
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Response to an Inquiry from the Nembutsu People of Kasama
According to Shin Buddhism, there are two kinds of people who seek birth in the Pure Land: those of Other Power and those of self-power. This has been taught by the Indian masters and Pure Land teachers. Self-power is the effort to attain birth, whether by invoking the names of Buddhas other than Amida and…
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To Shoshin-bo
Since those who have realized shinjin necessarily abide in the stage of the truly settled, they are in the stage equal to the perfect enlightenment. In the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life those who have been grasped, never to be abandoned, are said to be in the stage of the truly settled, and in the…
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To Shinbutsu-bo
What you inquire about in your letter is a passage from a sutra that states: “Those who attain shinjin and joy are equal to Tathagatas.” This is from the Garland Sutra and means that the person who rejoices in shinjin is the equal of all the Tathagatas. This is also indicated in Sakyamuni’s statement about…
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On Jinen-Honi
[On Jinen-Honi] Concerning jinen [in the phrase jinen honi]: Ji means “of itself” – not through the practicer’s calculation. It signifies being made so. Nen means “to be made so” – it is not through the practicer’s calculation; it is through the working of the Tathagata’s Vow. Concerning honi: Honi signifies being made so through the working of the Tathagata’s Vow. It…
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To Joshin-bo
It is saddening that so many people, both young and old, men and women, have died this year and last. But the Tathagata taught the truth of life’s impermanence for us fully, so you must not be distressed by it. I, for my own part, attach no significance to the condition, good or bad, of…
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A Letter by Joshin-bo with reply by Shinran
As we say the Name, we become settled in the stage of nonretrogression, for we are grasped by the unhindered light of Tathagata’s compassionate mind. Since this is the case, I feel no personal need to inquire anew about “being grasped, never to be abandoned.” In addition, the Garland Sutra states, “The person who hears…
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“Further, in the expounding of all the various scriptures…”
Further, in the expounding of all the various scriptures, there are not more than five kinds of exposition: first, the Buddha’s exposition; second, the exposition of holy disciples; third, the exposition of heavenly beings and hermit-sages; fourth, the exposition of demi-gods; fifth, the exposition of miraculous spirits. Among these five, take up the Buddha’s exposition…
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The Vow and the Name are One
I have read your letter very carefully. I fail to understand why your question should arise, for although we speak of Vow and of Name, these are not two different things. There is no Name separate from the Vow; there is no Vow separate from the Name. Even to say this, however, is to impose…
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You Must Realize that the Wisdom of Buddhas Surpasses Conceptual Understanding
I have read your letter very carefully. In your question about the teaching, you state that at the point of the awakening of the one moment of shinjin we are grasped and protected by the heart of unhindered light, and hence the karmic cause for birth in the Pure Land is established in ordinary times.…
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Reply to Kakushin-bo
I have received your letter of the fourth month, 7th day, on the 26th of the fifth month and have read it carefully. As to the matter you raise, although the one moment of shinjin and the one moment of nembutsu are two, there is no nembutsu separate from shinjin, nor is the one moment…
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Reply to Yuamidabutsu
In answer to your question about the nembutsu: it is completely mistaken to look down upon people who believe in birth through the nembutsu, saying that they are destined for birth in the borderland. For Amida vowed to take into the land of bliss those who say the Name, and thus to entrust oneself deeply…
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Reply to Shinobu-bo
You ask about “being grasped never to be abandoned.” Shan-tao’s Hymns [on the Samadhi] of All Buddhas’ Presence states that Sakyamuni and Amida are our parents of great compassion; using many and various compassionate means, they awaken the supreme shinjin in us. Thus the settling of true shinjin is the working of Sakyamuni and Amida.…
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A Letter by Kyoshin, reply by Shinran, reply by Ren’i
I respectfully submit the following letter. {The Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life} [note1] records the phrase, “the person realizes shinjin and joy,” and {one of the Hymns on the Pure Land based on the Garland Sutra} [note2] states: The person who attains shinjin and joyIs taught to be equal to the Tathagatas.Great shinjin is itself Buddha-nature;Buddha-nature is none other than…
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Reply to Joshin-bo
What you have written in inquiry is truly to the point. The Garland Sutra states that those who have attained true shinjin are already certain to become Buddhas and therefore are equal to the Tathagatas. Although Maitreya has not yet attained Buddhahood, it is certain that he will, so he is already known as Maitreya Buddha. In…
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This should never occur
I have heard that, knowing nothing of the scriptures or of the true foundation of the Pure Land teaching, you are telling people who are appallingly self-indulgent and lacking in shame that a person should do evil just as he or she desires. This is absolutely wrong. Were you not aware that I finally broke…
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Reply to Shinbutsu-bo
I have been taught that within Other Power there is self-power. I have never heard of an other-power within Other Power. That there is self-power within Other Power means that there are people who seek to attain birth through sundry practices and disciplines and through meditative and nonmeditative nembutsu; such people are people of self-power…
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To Zuishin-bo
In answer to your question: at the moment persons encounter Amida’s Vow – which is Other Power giving itself to us – and the hearth that receives true shinjin and rejoices becomes settled in them, they are grasped, never to be abandoned. Hence, the moment they realize the diamondlike mind, they are said to abide…
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I wonder if you have seen my letters
I have written you often, but I wonder if you have seen my letters. The fulfillment of Myoho-bo’s cherished desire to be born in the Pure Land is surely celebrated by those in Hitachi province who share the same aspiration. In no way is birth accomplished through the calculating of foolish beings; neither can it…
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Words like these should never be said
I have received all the gifts from the various people as listed, and Myokyo-bo’s visit to Kyoto is truly welcome. Words cannot express my appreciation. Although scarcely unexpected, Myoho-bo’s attainment of birth still makes me deeply happy. Surely it is celebrated by all the people in Kashima, Namekata, and the remote districts who desire birth…
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Wholehearted
When a person has entered completely into the Pure Land of happiness, he or she immediately realizes the supreme nirvana; he realizes the supreme enlightenment. Although the terms differ, they both mean to realize the enlightenment of the Buddha who is dharma-body. As the true cause for this realization, Bodhisattva Dharmakara gave us the Vow…
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Practice
The Sutra of the Treasure Name states: “The nembutsu of Amida’s Primal Vow is not our practice, it is not our good; it is simply keeping the Name of the Buddha.” It is the Name that is good, the Name that is the practice. When we speak of practice, we mean doing good. The Primal…
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1 Tathagata’s Primal Vow is spreading
That the Tathagata’s Primal Vow is spreading is indeed splendid and gladdening above all else. In this, however, there must never be any arguing, person with person in each locality, while adhering to one’s own view. In the capital also there seems to be much arguing over such matters as “once-calling” and “many-calling”; this should…
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2 To Shoshin-bo
I have carefully read your letter dated the first of the sixth month. I had heard in general about the litigation involving you in Kamakura. Since I had not heard differently from what you write in your letter, I assumed that nothing beyond that had occurred; I am glad to hear of your return. Generally…
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3 Reply to Kyonin-bo
I have gratefully received, from Gonen-bo, your gift of two hundred mon. I wish also to acknowledge receiving some time ago, from some of the people there, offerings made at the nembutsu meetings. Please convey my gratitude to the people. With this reply, please give my thanks to them also. Now then, what you ask…
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4 To the People of the Nembutsu
To begin with, it should never happen under any circumstances that the Buddhas and bodhisattvas be thought of lightly or that the gods and deities be despised and neglected. In the course of countless lives in many states of existence, through the benefit of innumerable, incalculable Buddhas and bodhisattvas, we have practiced all the various…
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5 Reply to Jishin-bo
I am writing you a letter. Please read this letter to the people so that all may hear it. It appears that the nun from Totomi has carefully dealt with the matter. This is splendid; I am greatly pleased. Please fully convey how great my joy is here in the capital. What Shingan-bo is saying…
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6 To Jishin-bo
I have carefully read your letter of the ninth month, 27th day. On the 9th day of the eleventh month, I received your gift of money in the amount of five kanmon. I find it indeed deplorable that people in the various areas are saying in different ways that it is meaningless for people of…
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7 To Venerable Shinjo-bo
I understand from your letter that you have undergone great difficulties stemming from matters related to the nembutsu. I deeply sympathize with you. In the final analysis, it appears that the conditions [for teaching the nembutsu] in that area have been exhausted. You must not lament about one thing or another regarding the obstruction of…
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8 To Shoshin-bo
Have you been well since your return? I met Gen Toshiro unexpectedly. Glad at being able to entrust him with a letter for you, I am writing now. Has there been any change? I am extremely happy to hear from various people that matters involving the lawsuit over the nembutsu have eased. I rejoiced that…
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9 Reply to Yuishin-bo
I have written out and sent to you an explanation of “the Buddha of the twelve kinds of light,” which people are speaking of. It was not possible to write in detail. I have set it forth only roughly. In brief, you should take that which is called Buddha of unhindered light as fundamental. You…
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10 Reply to Kyosai-bo
I understand that that which is called “the Vow that all Buddhas say the Name” and “the Vow that all Buddhas praise the Name” is for the purpose of encouraging the sentient beings of the ten quarters [to entrust themselves to Amida’s Vow]. Further, I have been taught that it fulfills the purpose of bringing…
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1 A Letter by Kyoshin, reply by Shinran, reply by Ren’i
I respectfully submit the following letter. {The Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life} [note1] records the phrase, “the person realizes shinjin and joy,” and {one of the Hymns on the Pure Land based on the Garland Sutra} [note2] states: The person who attains shinjin and joyIs taught to be equal to the Tathagatas.Great shinjin is itself Buddha-nature;Buddha-nature is none other than…
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2 A Letter by Joshin, reply by Shinran
As we say the Name, we become settled in the stage of nonretrogression, for we are grasped by the unhindered light of Tathagata’s compassionate mind. Since this is the case, I feel no personal need to inquire anew about “being grasped, never to be abandoned.” In addition, the Garland Sutra states, “The person who hears…
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3 A Letter by Kyoshin, reply by Shinran, reply by Ren’i
I respectfully submit the following letter. {The Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life} [note1] records the phrase, “the person realizes shinjin and joy,” and {one of the Hymns on the Pure Land based on the Garland Sutra} [note2] states: The person who attains shinjin and joyIs taught to be equal to the Tathagatas.Great shinjin is itself Buddha-nature;Buddha-nature is none other than…
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4 Reply to Shinobu-bo
You ask about “being grasped never to be abandoned.” Shan-tao’s Hymns [on the Samadhi] of All Buddhas’ Presence states that Sakyamuni and Amida are our parents of great compassion; using many and various compassionate means, they awaken the supreme shinjin in us. Thus the settling of true shinjin is the working of Sakyamuni and Amida.…
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5 To Shoshin-bo
Since those who have realized shinjin necessarily abide in the stage of the truly settled, they are in the stage equal to the perfect enlightenment. In the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life those who have been grasped, never to be abandoned, are said to be in the stage of the truly settled, and in the Sutra of the…
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6 To Shinbutsu-bo
What you inquire about in your letter is a passage from a sutra that states: “Those who attain shinjin and joy are equal to Tathagatas.” This is from the Garland Sutra and means that the person who rejoices in shinjin is the equal of all the Tathagatas. This is also indicated in Sakyamuni’s statement about…
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7 A Letter by Senshin, reply by Shinran
A person said: At the point of the awakening of the one moment of shinjin, we come to be grasped and protected by the unhindered light of Amida’s compassion; hence, the cause of birth in the Pure Land is one and the same [for all]. Thus, there should be no doubt about this. Therefore, there…
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1 According to Shin Buddhism, there are two kinds of people
According to Shin Buddhism, there are two kinds of people who seek birth in the Pure Land: those of Other Power and those of self-power. This has been taught by the Indian masters and Pure Land teachers. Self-power is the effort to attain birth, whether by invoking the names of Buddhas other than Amida and…
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2 This deeply saddens me
I have carefully read your letters. I have heard that because of Jishin’s statements concerning the teaching, people of Hitachi and Shimotsuke have, in their saying of the nembutsu, changed utterly from what I had for long years been given to understand. This deeply saddens me. People who had been saying for many years that…
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Uncollected Letters
1 You have written a letter to me concerning Iya, the serving woman. There is still no place for her to live, and she is undergoing much hardship; it is indeed a pity. I cannot manage to find a solution, and do not know what to do. Respectfully. Third month, 28th day To: Ogozen Shinran…