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!

Friday, July 29, 2016

Say Something, Won't You?


Say something, won't you? You can't come up with even a word simply because you don't have shinjin!1 You just want to hear, to hear something, which shows that your hunger is not satisfied! Upon hearing "Buddha's mind, Buddha's power, the Primal Vow-power -- relying on the power of the Primal-vow for birth," don't you feel satisfied? What [more] do you wish to hear? Even if I were to reply to you, in the end you would just give such responses as, "I see. Is that so? I knew it!" Neither knowing nor understanding are sufficient for birth, but only reliance on the Primal Vow-power. Once "relying on the Primal Vow-power for birth" permeates your mind, you will accept with reverence the inconceivable Buddha-wisdom and Vow-power, which are [truly] "inconceivable," and entrust yourself to the Primal Vow-power. Entrust, entrust, deeply entrust yourself -- that is the manifestation of shinjin. The Primal Vow-power is the command and the command becomes our shinjin. Thus the command is shinjin! Thinking of acquiring shinjin for birth and saying the nembutsu for birth, you will not come to this realization. "Great is the matter of birth-and-death; life slips quickly by (impermanence is swift)." Birth is attainable "if" I accept shinjin with reverence. Birth is attainable "if" I say the nembutsu. No matter what, if you add to it with an "if," as long as there is an "if" birth is not possible.'



Note:
  1.  In Goichidaiki-kikigaki, Rennyo Shonin's says, "Say something, will you? Those who say nothing are to be feared." 

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