Revised on 21 August 2016.
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| The Pitch Darkness - The Culmination of Anjin |
This book contains selected readings from Rev. Zuiken
(Saizo) Inagaki. Each passage touches on the question “What shall one make of
the moment of being at death’s door?” from the perspective of the Dharma or
from Reverend’s personal experience, revealed in plain language to fellow
Dharma-friends (strictly speaking, to me)—the Dharmapada in real earnest.
“The
pitch-darkness is present, right now.” This problem must be solved swiftly for
each and every one in his or her very own life. This is the first, and also the
last and foremost problem.
Reverend Zuiken discovered the true liberating light within
“Amida’s Primal Vow.” This liberating light radiates from his words and
expressions.
I hope that all those with favorable distant past conditions
will read it a thousand or even a million times.
A fellow Dharma-friend of mine, Mr. Fuji, who listened
together with me to the Dharma for more than twenty years, was suddenly
overcome by a serious illness. Hence, whatever he had learned from the past
until that day went down the drain. Darkness and hopelessness completely
engulfed him.
My Dharma-friend Mr. Fuji professed his predicament to No'se
Sensei, who felt great empathy for him and without delay compassionately shared
with him whatever he had learnt from the teaching of the late Zuiken Sensei.
In the past, moved by the greatest personal issue of his
next life, No'se Sensei sought Zuiken Sensei’s help at his home. From the
compassionate and exquisite sayings of Zuiken Sensei, and from the Primal Vow
that is most faithful, No'se Sensei obtained the most accurate answer.
Therefore, No'se Sensei devoted himself wholeheartedly to compiling all the
Dharma teachings and sayings of his esteemed teacher—either from personal
discussions or recordings—into quite a number of collections of Dharmapada. As
a result, No'se Sensei was able to pass those manuscripts pertaining to the
next life, the most important matter, on to Mr. Fuji.
The manuscripts were quotations of Zuiken Sensei, mostly
untouched.
I am so thankful to No'se Sensei for being willing to spare time
in the midst of a hectic schedule to compassionately and enthusiastically clear
up the doubts of fellow practicers. Such behavior is worthy of deep admiration
and respect.
Mr. Fuji felt that the content of the manuscripts he
obtained from No'se Sensei was profound and rare, and would be useful to
sentient beings in confronting their personal life-and-death problems. It would
be a waste for him to be the only person to have access to them. In order to be
able to share them with more Dharma-friends, this book was published.
No one can resist bowing reverently before the teaching of
Shinran Shōnin, forged in blood and tears, and the superlative words of Zuiken.
Through the publication of this book, I hope that every person can resolve his
or her very own life-and-death problems.
Although I am unqualified to say anything, I happened to be
invited by way of this foreword to explain the cause for publishing this book.
SHIMADA Kazumaru
Nara Horai Association
July 11, 1995
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