The True Essence of the Tanissho (2)

To regard the Dharma as "shōmyō nembutsu (saying the Nembutsu)" is the Dharma-door of the Contemplation Sutra. Chapter 10 of the Tanissho, "Concerning the Nembutsu, no working is true working. For it is beyond description, explanation, and conceptual understanding," is where the Dharma-door of the Contemplation Sutra drops away and the Dharma-door of the Larger Sutra begins to be revealed a little. This is the meaning of “The universal Vow difficult to fathom is indeed a great vessel bearing us across the ocean difficult to cross. The unhindered light is the sun of wisdom dispersing the darkness of our ignorance” from the Kyogyoshinsho (main text), the meaning of “The radiant light, unhindered and inconceivable, eradicates suffering and brings realization of joy” from the Passages on the Pure Land Way (abbreviated text), and the taste of the Larger Sutra’s “hearing the Name, having joy in Faith.” When we delve into the true intent of the Tanissho via “no working is true working,” the Dharma isn’t about shōmyō nembutsu; rather, it’s the Great Practice of Namo Amida Butsu. Regarding shōmyō nembutsu, its original form is Namo Amida Butsu. Also, the original form of Namo Amida Butsu with respect to shōmyō nembutsu is “hearing the Name.” The Tanissho enables the Contemplation Sutra to remove itself and give way to the Larger Sutra. Therefore, the heart of the Tanissho as well as the climax is Chapter 10. Without studying the Tanissho in the light of the Larger Sutra and the main text, we wouldn't be able to know the essence of the Tanissho.