Diamondlike Shinjin: Essay 153

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!

Thursday, March 23, 2017

Essay 153

The taste of discarding shinjin
--- Pondering over death!

In the Dharma passage, “Delusion is the nature of ordinary beings. Apart from delusion, there is no mind in us,” “there is no mind in us" signifies that the mind is entirely delusion.

We are notified of this thanks to the deep benevolence of the Buddha. To know “Oh, so that's how it is!” on hearing it is rather easy. To know is easy; however, to be notified of it is very difficult. “Knowing it” is a far cry from “being notified of it.” To know does not have any power. To be notified of it means to be notified by the Tathagata.

When being notified of this, you will realize that “adorning” your mind is not at all needed. What use is it to adorn your mind, to design, to struggle, to believe that you have acquired shinjin? It does not help even a little.

If you truly know “apart from delusion, there is no mind in us” you will realize that “what you think, remember, know, believe, and that you have acquired shinjin, are none of their business.” “These are none of their business but you just can’t help hearing (the Dharma)” because it is the pleasure and joy of Dharma savored by a Nembutsu person from hearing the unsurpassed virtue power of the Tathagata, apart from their great joy (of shinjin), as long as they are alive. To hear is (the working of) the immeasurable power and virtues of the Tathagata; not to hear is also (the working of) the immeasurable power and virtues of the Tathagata. To be always mindful of the immeasurable power and virtues of the Tathagata or not, is the point of difference between entrusting and non-entrusting.

Zuiken