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!

Sunday, February 1, 2015

Essay 17

Turned into a perfectly dead man—
An absolute fool of the lowest capacity—
I am born into the Land of Utmost Bliss.

Birth in the Land of Utmost Bliss occurs by becoming a “totally illiterate (ichimon-fuchi)” person and being born there.

Honen Shōnin
It’s difficult to become a person who is “born in the Land of Utmost Bliss but remains ignorant” and “totally illiterate,” isn’t it?  You don’t want to be a “totally illiterate” person when it is obvious that you are one. That’s out of the question!

The Buddha-Dharma that you know, understand, remember and comprehend – none of these constitute shinjin. Shinjin is the true and real command (of the Tathagata), which penetrates the innermost being.

“Totally illiterate” refers to trusting and following the words of the Buddha; it also means having abandoned self-power.

Honen Shōnin was the foremost great scholar of the country of Japan; however, in front of the command (of the Tathagata) he became “totally illiterate.” “Totally illiterate” is the state in which your thoughts and calculations are completely exhausted.

Some say that “it’s best to know nothing as disciples.” However, “totally illiterate” and “layabout” are not the same.

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