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!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Acquiring Shinjin vs Hear and Rejoice in Shinjin

My friend paid me a visit a few weeks ago. He is one of my close dharma pals. I was very happy to listen to him sharing about what he understood about shinshu's idea recently. I used very often to share with him books and thoughts in the past.

Over the conversation, he told me about what I emphasised in him to aware of the differences in the approaches of some scholars and that of Zuiken Sensei in disclosing shinshu's teaching. Some scholars very much into the idea of  'acquiring shinjin' while what in fact Zuiken taught 'me' which precisely reflecting the authentic meaning of shinshu is to 'hear and rejoice in shinjin'.  In chinese, Wen Xin or '闻信', stand together as one phrase, hearing (for) faith/shinjin. My friend explained very plainly and correctly that we don't exercise our self-effort to obtain shinjin that's what the meaning of 'acquiring' contained with, we just listen and in listening precisely to the meaning of the Primal Vow, there you know you are being saved without a shade of doubts. When you get the message of the import of the primal vow rightly, you will be made aware that the salvation is true and genuine, and no more works Amida require on your side to collaborate with or input.

I said so fantastic is his hearing, there is where the one-thought moment arises, when you listen and listen ever careful as before to receive the gift of shinjin of Amida. The shinjin implies that you know for very sure you are grasped and never be abandoned by Amida. We don't grasp at shinjin, this is to introduce self-power which is pointless and 'inferior', however, most importantly is that we are grasped by Amida.

Melvin

No comments:

Post a Comment