Mahayaha Buddhism #13 Kamakura Buddhism 4 (Pure Land/ Jodo-Shu Shin-Pure Land/ Jodo Shin-Shu ) Masayo Urasaki 13 September 2012

Today ’ s schedule 1) Brief history of Pure Land and Shin Pure Land 2) DVD about Shinran "The white path" 3) Feedback

Keywords ・ Honen/ Pure Land (Jodo Shu) ・ Shinran/Shin Pure Land (Jodo Shin Shu) ・ Nen butsu / Nam amida butsu ・ The moset wicked are the true object of salvation ・ The White Path ・ The Primal Vow of other Power

Pure Land (= Buddha Field) Cosmology Space  Originally the concept of "Buddha Field(Buddhaksetra)"  There are many, many universes or world systems which are devoid of a Buddha, for Buddhas are very rare.  a Buddha (Amitabha) who lives for a very long time (eternity), there are many Boddhisattvas in that realm.  The evil (Mara) cannot work their bad way.  There are located to the "West"

Main teaching The Three Pure Land Sutras  Key concept The vow on which true and real "Faith (Shinjin 信心） " → Sincere mind and trust The teaching of rebirth in the Pure Land （浄土） of Amitabha through reciting the Buddha's Name, Nembutsu （念仏） → Everyboday can salvage from suffering in daily life. 1) the the Sutra of Immeasurable Life 2) the Meditation Sutra 3) the Amida Sutra

Honen 法然 ( )  Born at Okayama Pref.  Father was a police, but was killed in the line of duty. As his father's last will, he gave up to vengeance.  He became a Tendai monk on Mt Hiei at the age of 9.  He concentrated to practice Nem butsu.  In 1175, came down from Mt.Hiei to propagate ordinary people.But attack from Old sect (Tendai, Nara)  In 1207, arrested including his disciples and forced back to secular life.

Shinran 親鸞 ( ) Shin Pure Land Founder  Born at suberb in Kyoto  Parents died before he was age of 9.  He became novice at Mt.Hiei, practiced 20 years, but not satidfied the situation of Tendai sect.  He mett Honen and become his deciples, dedicated to his teachings.  He had a dream of Prince Shotoku, he decided to get marry still remain he was an monk.

Honen 's strong faith with "Nenbutsu"  Honen exiled to Shikoku as layperson, when he was 75 years old.  He said "I would not quit "Nenbutsu"even if I have to death penalty. It is lucky to exile to the countryside, because I have a chance to propagate to the suffeing people in local area"  Even the virtuous can attain rebirth in the Pure Land, and how much more so the wicked （悪 人正機説） → emphasised Amitabha's Compassion

南無阿弥陀仏 Namu Amida Butsu  Namu (devotion) Amida Butsu (Amitabha)  Three Meanings 1) Mind the Buddha who written by Old Sutra 2) Looking the image of Buddha 3) Recite the Buddha's Name (Amitabha)

The White Path 1  Shandao ( ,Chinese Pure Land Buddhist) explain the parable of the white path. a man travelling to the west when before him stretch two rivers.On the of left side is a river of fire. On the right, is water. Between the two is a white path 'barely four or five inches wide'. From east to west is 100 steps.

The White Path 2  The fire scorches one side of the path. The waves ceaselessly wash the other.  In the east where our traveller stands is a band of hooligans and wild animals, seeking to kill him  At that very moment, he hears a voice from his own behind, "Friend, just follow the path resolutey,and there will be no danger of death.To stay here is to die"  On the west bank there is someone calling out "Come straight ahead,single- mindedly and with fixed purpose. I can protect you. Never fear falling into the fire or water"

What is Shinran's Teaching?  He wrote 教行 信証 (Kyo Gyo Shin Sho) On the teaching, Pracitice, Faith and Ralization of Pure Land Way  In Jodo Shu, Nenbutsu is one of the practice that we have to do (consider how frequency recite)  Shinran assume that Nenbutsu is not practice.People don't need to act, just "Entrust"Amitabha Buddha. It is enough to recite once sincerely in our heart. →The Primal Vow of other Power  Not priest, not layperson （非僧非俗）