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, September 6, 2015

Essay 116

The Vow-power
Condenses into the calling sound of the six syllable Name;
I am called back home
To the homeland of the Father of Compassion.

‘The primal Vow-power’ is the truth of the Dharma realms, the power and working of Suchness. The great wisdom and great compassion lie in all the sutras; all the sutras condense into the two-syllable ‘command (敕命) 1’of the inconceivable primal Vow-power.

Speaking of the command of the great compassion of ‘Come right as you are,’ it embodies shinjin (faith) and nembutsu.  It’s not we who hold up shinjin to entrust in the command.

We simply look up to and be faithful to the command in a grateful way; is there anything easier than this? This is the easiest and most straightforward (clear-cut) shinjin; nonetheless, nothing is as difficult as this.2 This is entirely unlike the superstitions of praying for recovery from illnesses or praying for happiness in this life.

As this shinjin is difficult to gain your trust, you must give up your life to hear the command; that shinjin is the state of hearing of it.

Note:
1. ‘Thus, kimyo is the command of the Primal Vow calling to and summoning us.’ (Kyōgyōshinshō, CWS, p. 38)
2. The human mind is complicated; they make shinjin that is ‘easiest and most straightforward’ become something very difficult.

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