ＳＨＩＮＲＡＮ'Ｓ

KYOGYOSHINSHO

Teaching, Practice, Faith and Enlightenment

Translated by Hisao Inagaki

[589a]

A COLLECTION OF PASSAGES REVEALING

THE TRUE TEACHING, PRACTICE AND ENLIGHTENMENT

OF THE PURE LAND WAY

PREFACE

Essentials of Shin Buddhism

When I humbly contemplate matters, I realize that the inconceivable universal Vow is the great ship that carries us across the sea of samsara which is difficult to cross and that the unhindered Light is the sun of wisdom which breaks the darkness of ignorance.

When the opportunity to reveal the Pure Land Way became ripe, Devadatta incited Ajatashatru to commit grave offenses; and when a person to be saved by the Pure Land practice appeared, Shakyamuni led Vaidehi to choose her birth in the Land of Peace and Provision. All this shows that human incarnations of sages equally sought to deliver multitudes from suffering and that the World Hero, out of pity, especially wished to save those who commit the five gravest offenses, abusers of the Dharma and those without any potential for goodness.

Hence, I know clearly that the Auspicious Name of the all-complete, supreme virtue is the embodiment of the perfect Wisdom which can turn evil into merit and also that the Joyful Faith, indestructible like diamond but difficult to accept in our hearts, is the truth which removes our doubts and awakens us to Enlightenment.

This is indeed the true teaching which is easy to practice even for ordinary, inferior people and is the shortest way that is easy to follow for dull and stupid people. Of all the lifetime teachings of the Great Sage, nothing surpasses this ocean-like virtue. Those who wish to leave this defiled world of samsara and aspire for the Pure Land, those who are confused about religious practices and faiths, those who are dark in mind and lacking in wisdom, and those who are burdened with heavy evil karma and many hindrances - should, by all means, esteem the Tathagata Shakyamuni's exhortation and follow the supreme direct path to Enlightenment; they should exclusively hold fast to the this practice and only uphold Faith.

Oh, how difficult it is to encounter the strong influence of the universal Vow, even in many cycles of birth-and-death! How difficult it is to attain the True Pure Faith, even in millions of kalpas! If you are fortunate enough to attain Practice and Faith, you should rejoice at your close relationship with Amida from the distant past. If your mind is still covered with a net of doubt, you will continue to wander about in samsara for myriads of kalpas. How trustworthy are the words of truth which say that we are embraced in Amida's Light and never forsaken! How extraordinary and wonderful is the Right Dharma! Hear and reflect; be careful not to hesitate too long.

What a joy it is that I, Gutoku Shinran, disciple of Shakyamuni, have had a rare chance to meet with the Pure Land scriptures from India and the commentaries by Chinese and Japanese masters which are difficult to meet and have been able to hear their teachings which we can only rarely hear! Having respectfully accepted in faith the Teaching, Practice and Enlightenment of the True Pure Land Way, I deeply acknowledge the Tathagata Amida's Benevolence. Here I rejoice over what I have heard and marvel at what I have received.