Diamondlike Shinjin: Correspond with the Primal Vow

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!

Sunday, April 30, 2017

Correspond with the Primal Vow

Kasha/ Hi no kuruma/ Fire chariots 火の車

Be it religions or philosophies, after having spent 50 years reading, I discovered that there is no other way (not even one or two) aside from the Primal Vow-power of the Tathagata for a bombu to gain salvation. Forget it, forget it, if we have been duped, so be it; please follow after Master Shinran! By showing off your smartness of a monkey, you wouldn’t be able to put an end to the fire chariot of evil karma! The problem of our afterlife, like gold ingots falling from heaven, “just as you are,” truly it is “just as you are”. The sound of the Call of coming right away single-mindedly－it’s superfluous to say “just as you are.” When you have naturally become “just as you are,” that’s called “correspond with the Primal Vow.” If you are working hard towards becoming “just as you are” you will go to places unthought of. The Buddha Dharma is about not-self; not-self is to become an idiot, to be a simpleton. It’s such that despite being alive our calculation perishes. It’s such that we discover the fact that no matter how it’s just impossible by using our own power.

Zuiken

Passage from the essay “All-pervasive illumination of Buddha-Wisdom”