Diamondlike Shinjin: Prologue 20

Namu Amida Butsu

This work is especially dedicated to Zuiken Saizo Inagaki, who sheds light on the pristine and original teachings of Jodo Shinshu (Shin Buddhism) for many people, including myself. I regard him as my soul teacher and I am very much influenced by his words and thoughts, which are deeply imbued with the Wisdom of Compassion of Amida Buddha. I read most of his writings available in Chinese language and I wish to share some of his golden words in this blog in English. Rev. George Gatenby and Mr. Gabriel Schlaefer have been kindly and untiringly assisting me to edit the translated essays so that they are readable and true to the intent of Sensei. May all partake of the wisdom of Shinshu teaching and be overpowered by the light of Amida Buddha.

Namu Amida Butsu!

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Prologue 20

Revised on 18 August 2016.

It only complicates the matter to explain Shinjin by using mere human sense-perception, by asserting for example things like, “Shinjin is not like such and such but is like this and that.” It causes people to be unable to make head or tail of it.

Without trusting reverently in “the immeasurable virtue-power of the Buddha” as Namo Amida Butsu, whatever you say is nothing but gibberish. “Trusting reverently” means “hearing-and-faith” (monshin). “Hearing-and-faith" means one has been overpowered by Namo Amida Butsu.

Many people do not comprehend what Buddha is, and because of that they are unable to truly entrust themselves in the Primal Vow.

Thus the first and foremost thing to do in studying Buddhism is to know what Buddha is. Don’t unnecessarily take the roundabout path anymore.