Diamondlike Shinjin: Passage from 'The True Essence of the Tanissho' (1)

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!

Tuesday, August 16, 2016

Passage from 'The True Essence of the Tanissho' (1)

If you treat "just say the nembutsu" (in Tannisho) as "reciting the Name," that is considered the Dharma-door of the Contemplation Sutra. If you treat "just say the nembutsu" (in Tanissho) as "Namo Amida Butsu" and "the Vow is inconceivable," that is considered the Dharma-door of the Larger Sutra.

Amida Buddha is so great, we don't need to say His Name in order to be born there.

"Dharma-body’s wheel of light is without bound,

Shining on the blind and ignorant of the world."

Amida uses all his belongings to save sentient beings in the ten quarters; this is the Primal Vow.

Note: This passage is very important as many misunderstand "saying the Name" which appears very frequently in the Tanissho being a condition or requirement for Birth. Tanissho has the Contemplation Sutra spirit entwined in the true spirit of the Larger Sutra. We have to discern the essence.