Podcasts about shinran shonin

Welcome to Season 4, Episode 16! This episode is about The History of the Buddhist Churches of America. Buddhism is one of the religions often associated with Asian countries and the people who come from Asian Pacific nations. And it's for good reason, because it's a religion that originates from those countries. When it comes to understanding Buddhism in America, it would be difficult to talk about the history without mentioning the Buddhist Churches of America, an organization that has its roots in Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism that originated in the 13th century with the monk Shinran Shonin. In this episode, we share a short background on Shin Buddhism, a general overview of Buddhism in America, and the long history of the Buddhist Churches of America and its impact in the Japanese American Community and beyond. Since World War II and the Japanese internment, the BCA has continued to adapt to the changing needs of different generations. To learn more, you can visit the BCA Website or visit one of their locations (they're easy to find through the Temple Locator). In our recurring segment, we share what we've been watching… The Brothers Sun on Netflix. This amazing show is an action-comedy-drama that is co-created by Byron Wu and Brad Falchuk. It stars Justin Chien, Sam Song Li, Michelle Yeoh, and a cast of so many other amazing Asian Pacific actors and actresses. Although it hasn't been renewed for a 2nd season, it's got great reviews and ratings, and it's worth a watch.  If you like what we do, please share, follow, and like us in your podcast directory of choice or on Instagram @AAHistory101. For previous episodes and resources, please visit our site at https://asianamericanhistory101.libsyn.com or social media links at http://castpie.com/AAHistory101. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, email us at info@aahistory101.com. Segments 00:25 Catching Up and Remembering Akebono 05:29 The History of The Buddhist Churches of America 25:11 What Are We Watching? The Brothers Sun

Hoonko is the traditional memorial service for Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu. Rev. Patti Nakai shares her Dharma message. About Dharma Talks: Any ideas and opinions expressed in these talks are those of the individual speakers.

Rev. Blayne Higa of the Kona Hongwanji Buddhist Temple give the Dharma Message for the 850/800 Service comemmorating 850 years since Shinran Shonin's birth and 800 years of Jodo Shinshu teachings. 

Buddhist Psalms translated from the Japanese of Shinran Shonin

Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode, we read five more verses of the Pure Land Hymns on the Right, Semblance, and Last Dharma Ages. Shinran further explains his understanding of how only by completely relying (in Shinjin) on Amida's Vow to Liberate All can beings in this Last Dharma Age realize awakening. It is Amida's directing of virtue for going forth from the Pure Land and returning that makes this possible. How grateful we are! Next time we'll continue with five more verses by Shinran Shonin. Until then, please be well! For more Dharma content, please visit the American Buddhist Study Center's home page: ambuddhist.org With palms together, Gary

Hi Dharma-friends! This episode's verses from the Pure Land Hymns on the Right, Semblance, and Last Dharma Ages are very powerful and are among my favorite expressions of the Dharma by Shinran Shonin. Shinran is telling us not to worry that our own limitations due to distractions and self-indulgence are too heavy for Liberation. The Light of Amida's Vow of Wisdom is like a great torch illuminating a dark place. That Light is boundless and reaches everywhere. Because saying the Name, Namo-Amida-Butsu, in Shinjin is Amida's own practice, it overcomes literally every obstacle. Through the working of the wisdom of Amida's Vow, our limited good and evil minds are transformed into Amida's mind of great compassion. Namoamidabutsu. Hope you have been enjoying the podcast. Check out the website of the American Buddhist Study Center ambuddhist.org for more good Dharma content. Palms together, Gary

Hi Dharma-friends! Today we hear 5 more verses from this collection by Shinran Shonin. A striking image in these verses is Shinran's comparison of those who now follow the Nembutsu path with Maitreya Bodhisattva. Maitreya Bodhisattva is the next fully enlightened Buddha after Śākyamuni who will appear in the world when causes and conditions are right to do so. Nembutsu followers, saying the Name of Amida Buddha through Shinjin, realize the same Awakening or Enlightenment as Maitreya when this present life has run its course through the power of the Vow. Amazing stuff!! Until next time, please be well! Check out the American Buddhist Study Center website ambuddhist.org for more good Dharma content. Palms together, Gary

Hi Dharma friends! Today's episode contains five more Wasan verses by Shinran Shonin on Master Genkū (Hōnen), who lived in Japan 1133-1212 CE. Hōnen was Shinran's personal teacher, and in these verses, he reiterates how Hōnen is the embodiment of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas teaching the Pure Land Way (that is the Way of Nembutsu). Having received this wonderful and guaranteed teaching from such a great master himself, our teacher Shinran is saying that we too should follow the same way with confidence. Next time we will conclude the Kōsō Wasan with the remaining five verses on Master Hōnen. Hope you have been enjoying listening to them as much as I have reading them! Check out the webpage of the American Buddhist Study Center ambuddhist.org for more cool content. Palms together, Gary

Hi Dharma-friends, We continue with five more Wasan verses by Shinran Shonin on his own teacher Master Hōnen, also known as Master Genkū. Hōnen lived 1133-1212 CE in Japan and was Shinran's personal teacher. Shinran's devotion to Hōnen was profound, even to seeing him as manifestations of Mahāsthāmaprāpta, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, and Amida Buddha himself. Shinran wishes us to understand the profound import of Hōnen's teaching and to say Nembutsu ourselves with complete confidence. Next time we will cover five more of Shinran's Wasan verses on Master Hōnen. Until then, please be well.

Hi Dharma-friends! In this episode, we conclude the section of the Kōsō Wasan on Master Genshin, who lived in Japan 942-1017 CE. He is the sixth master in Shinran Shonin's designated Jōdo Shinshū lineage. Master Genshin greatly popularized the Nembutsu teaching in the Japan of his day, and Shinran greatly admired him. He is known as the master who distinguished the "fulfilled" and "transformed" lands, always encouraging us to rely on saying Amida's Name of the Primal Vow and thereby ensuring our own births in the fulfilled Pure Land without fail. Next time, we'll begin the final section of the Kōsō Wasan with gathas or hymns on Master Genkū, also known as Master Hōnen. Please check out other cool content at ambuddhist.org, the home page of the American Buddhist Study Center. Palms together, Gary

Hi Dharma-friends! Today we begin Shinran Shonin's Wasan verses on the Sixth Master in the Jōdo Shinshū lineage: Master Genshin. Shinran moves from China to Japan with Genshin. Genshin lived from 942-1017 CE and was a Tendai monk on Mt. Hiei (as were Shinran's own teacher Master Hōnen and Shinran himself for a long time). Genshin was really huge in making the Pure Land teaching popular in the Japan of his own day. Shinran greatly admired Genshin's virtue and broad learning. He regarded Genshin as a Buddha who, having returned to Japan in this latter age, taught the difference between the fulfilled and transformed lands. The person who singleheartedly says Nembutsu will unfailingly be born into the fulfilled land (i.e., Nirvana). Hope you are enjoying listening to the podcast (40 episodes, woo-hoo!!). Check out other good content on the American Buddhist Study Center home page, ambuddhist.org Until next time, Gary

Hi Dharma friends! In this episode, we conclude our traversal of Shinran Shonin's Wasan verses on Master Shan-tao of China (613-681 CE). Shan-tao was so important to Shinran's understanding of the Buddha Dharma. In this group Shinran again affirms that true-entrusting or awakening, which he calls "Shinjin," arises from the spontaneous working of Amida's Primal Vow through Nembutsu. After reflecting on the various obstacles this teaching has encountered, Shan-tao and Shinran urge us to persevere and gratefully receive the Pure Land Way - according to Śākyamuni Buddha, the only authentic way to Awakening for ordinary people of the latter ages, that is, for people like ourselves. Next time, we move to Japan and start the section on the Sixth Master in the Jōdo Shinshū lineage: Master Genshin. Hope you will join us and tell your friends. Please check out ambuddhist.org for more content offerings of the American Buddhist Study Center. Palms together, Gary

Rev. Miyamura conducts Ho-Onko, the memorial service for Shinran Shonin.

Hi Dharma friends! Today we cover 5 more of Shinran Shonin's Wasan verses on Master Shan-tao (Zendo in Japanese). Shan-tao (613-681 CE) lived in China and is the Fifth of the Seven Masters, making up the Jōdo Shinshū lineage. We learned in the last episode that one of the most basic contributions of Shan-tao to Shinran's thought is how simply saying or vocalizing the Name of Amida Buddha is the only essential practice for Awakening or Enlightenment. In today's group of verses, Shan-tao teaches that we should focus exclusively on the Pure Land Way. The fundamental intent underneath all Śākyamuni Buddha's 84,000 dharma gates is that those who think on Amida Buddha will attain Awakening without fail. If you are enjoying these readings, please recommend them to your friends. Also, check out the home page of the American Buddhist Study Center ambuddhist.org for more Dharma content and programs. Consider joining ABSC as a member! You'll be helping to spread the Dharma by making more programs possible. With palms together, Gary

Hi Dharma friends! Today's episode covers 5 more verses written by Shinran Shonin based on the writings of Master T'an-luan, who lived in China (476-542 CE). As you know already, Shinran relies on Master T'an-luan for the teachings on Other Power. In today's Wasan verses, we learn that only the Shinjin of Other Power is sufficient for birth in the Pure Land. Shinjin is often understood as "true entrusting" or "awakening." T'an-luan explains why Shinjin based on Self Power is not adequate for birth in the Buddha-land of happiness -- thereby implying which qualities the Shinjin of Other Power supplies. Hope you are enjoying the Weekly Wasan Podcast. Check our home page of the American Buddhist Study Center for other cool content at www.ambuddhist.org Palms together, Gary

Hi Dharma friends, We're continuing with Shinran Shonin's verses on Master T'an-luan of China (476-542 CE). Today we encounter the marvelous image of ice and water - how the ice of our blind passions melts into the water of virtues through the power of Amida's Vow and ultimately flows into the great ocean of Enlightenment. This analogy was beloved by Shinran and subsequent Shin Buddhist masters and teachers ever since. Enjoy these Wasan verses, and please tell your friends about the podcast. Palms together, Gary

Hi Dharma friends, Welcome back to our reading of Shinran Shonin's verses on Master T'an-luan, the third master in the Jōdo Shinshū lineage. T'an-luan, who lived 476-542 CE in China, is the one who best explained the teaching of Other Power, a key concept in Shinran's understanding of Buddhism. While today's verses lean more toward the biographical end of the spectrum in this collection, there are tantalizing intimations of the powerful teachings that follow. Please enjoy them! If you like hearing the regular Wasan verses, please encourage your friends to listen also. Check out the home page of the American Buddhist Study Center ambuddhist.org for more great Dharma content.

Hi Dharma friends! Today we begin the series of Wasan verses written by Shinran Shonin on Master T'an-luan, who lived in China 476-542 CE. Shinran wrote 34 verses based on T'an-luan's writings, regarding him as the clarifier and teacher of Other Power, a very important part of the Jōdo Shinshū understanding of Buddhism. Other Power has been sometimes misunderstood or criticized by those unfamiliar with it as being "non-dualistic." However, for Shinran, that was not the case at all. T'an-luan is the Master who takes the lid off the box of Other Power, as it were, and shows us what it really is, why it is essential for us, and how it works. Cool stuff! This episode covers the first six of Shinran's verses about T'an-luan and Other Power. The next few episodes will continue with this collection six verses at a time. If you're enjoying the podcast, tell your friends to listen also. Check out the American Buddhist Study Center home page - ambuddhist.org - for more good content on Shin Buddhism. Palms together, Gary

Hi Dharma Friends! Welcome back to our traversal of the Kōsō Wasan by Shinran Shonin. Today's verses are based on the writings of Bodhisattva Vasubandhu, who lived in India from around 320-400 C.E. Shinran particularly wishes us to pay attention to Vasubandhu's understanding of "the mind that is single," the mind that focuses completely on the path to awakening, which is Nembutsu Path. This episode covers the first five of Shinran's verses on Vasubandhu. Next time, we'll hear the second five. Please be well, always saying Namo-Amida-Butsu! With palms together, Gary

Hi Dharma friends! With this episode, we conclude our journey listening to the Jōdo Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land) of Shinran Shonin. In this section, Shinran venerates Mahāsthāmaprāpta, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, who Shinran especially associates with his own teacher, Master Hōnen. Just as he received his own profound understanding of Nembutsu through Master Hōnen, Shinran now passes it along to us. How truly grateful we are! It has been a joy reading this collection of Wasan verses with you. I hope we will be able to hear other collections of Shinran's Wasan verses going forward; there are many more. You can also hear the current episode on the phone by calling 607-350-ABSC (607-350-2272). For more good Dharma content, be sure to check out the American Buddhist Study Center website www.ambuddhist.org. Please be well, always saying Namo-Amida-Butsu. Palms together, Gary

Hi Dharma friends! Let's start the final section of the Jōdo Wasan, "Hymns To Mahāsthāmaprāpta, Based of the Sutra of the Samadhi of Heroic Advance" Mahāsthāmaprāpta is the Bodhisattva of Wisdom. Shinran Shonin identified his own teacher, Master Hōnen (who he also calls Master Genkū), with this bodhisattva in particular. It might be helpful to keep this in mind as you listen to the verses. Thanks for listening! Next time we'll finish up the Jōdo Wasan. You can also hear the latest episode on the phone at 607-350-ABSC (607-350-2272). Check out the American Buddhist Study Center webpage ambuddhist.org for more good content. Palms together, Gary

Hi Dharma Friends, Welcome to the 20th Episode of the Jodo Wasan of Shinran Shonin! We're in the section called "Hymns on Benefits in the Present." This week, enjoy listening to the middle five Wasan verses in this section. Next week, we will conclude the section with the remaining five. Please tell all your friends who might be interested in the podcast and help share the Dharma. As you know, the latest episode can also be heard on the phone by calling 607-350-ABSC (607-350-2272). Check out the American Buddhist Study Center's webpage for more cool Dharma-centered content at ambuddhist.org Palms together, Gary

Hi Dharma Friends! With this episode, we conclude the reading of the Jodo Wasan section, "On the Larger Sutra." Next time we will start another group, "On the Contemplation Sutra." I really hope you have been enjoying these readings. Remember that when questions about Shinran's thoughts arise upon hearing some of these verses, those are golden opportunities to ask about them to your ministers, other reliable teachers, or knowledgeable Sangha friends. In this way, your own understanding can deepen, and the Dharma will spread. This is the true purpose of the writings of Shinran Shonin. We are "fellow travelers" in the Dharma. Please "follow" or subscribe to whatever podcast platform you use to access these readings. That way, notifications of new episodes will go directly to your phone or device, and you can listen at your convenience. Also, please check out the American Buddhist Study Center webpage at americanbuddhist.org for more good Shin Dharma content. Until next time, be well! With palms together, Gary

Dear Dharma Friends, Hope you are enjoying our podcast of Shinran Shonin's Jodo Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land)! There are 110 verses in this collection and we are reading them six at a time. You can also hear the most recent episode on our phone line: 607-350-ABSC (607-350-2272). Tell your friends!! Palms together, Gary

You can also listen to the latest episode on our phone number: 607-350-ABSC (607-350-2272), ideal for friends and relatives with sight impairment issues! Listen every week to six more Wasan by Shinran Shonin. We are using the translation in The Collected Works of Shinran published by Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha, Kyoto.

We continue our reading of the Jodo Wasan, Hymns of the Pure Land, by Shinran Shonin. This episode contains Numbers 9-14. You can also listen to the current episode over the phone at 607-350-ABSC (607-350-2272). Ideal for the sight impaired! Tell your friends.

Welcome to Weekly Wasan! In today's episode, you can listen to a brief introduction to our podcast of Shinran Shonin's Wasan. Wasan are short poems (also translated as Gathas or Hymns) in collections. Shinran wrote them in the vernacular and, while they of course repay detailed study, they also make a very beautiful listening experience on their own. Today, listen to the Jodo Wasan (Hymns of the Pure Land), Gathas 1 & 2. We'll be back each week with 6 more Gathas until the collection is completed.

Rev. Miyamura conducts Family Service observing Ho-Onko, the annual memorial for Shinran Shonin the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.

Special Sangha Service for Gotan-e, celebrating the birth of Shinran Shonin. Observed on May 17, 2020. 

In this episode, we take a look at the Shin Buddhist (Jodo Shinshu) view on the issue of luck. How does Shin Buddhism look at such things as talisman, omamori, Greek and Chinese Zodiac, astrology, and auspicious days. In the second segment, we will look at how Shinran Shonin, the founder of this school of Buddhism, defines doubt as what I call "karmic currency." 

Welcome to the first episode of No Doubt. Here we will first look at the issue of whether one can be a Buddhist and a part of a different religion. In the second part, we will look at the issue of doubt in Shinran Shonin's thought. This is the first of five episodes and here we will address how doubt is synonymous with the term self-power.  

In this episode of No Doubt, we will take a look at the phrase "bachi ga ataru," where one is believed to be punished for doing something wrong. In addition, what is the Shin Buddhist stance on ghosts and the supernatural? In the second segment, we will continue with the topic of doubt in Shinran Shonin's thought. Doubt is also synonymous with human calculative thinking, human rationality and reasoning, as well as human discriminative thinking.   

"Shin Buddhist Perspective on the Coronavirus" -- Reverend Doctor Mutsumi Wondra reminds us to remain calm and keep perspective in this time of panic and fear. Shinran Shonin himself also faced adversity and sickness; we too shall endure if we put faith in Namo Amida Butsu.

Minister's Assistant Jesse Zavala speaks of Rennyo Shonin, descendant of Shinran Shonin and Jodo Shinshu scholar credited with bringing the teachings of Shinran to the masses. 

Rev Patti Nakai of the Buddhist Temple of Chicago delivers the Dharma Talk for Ho-Onko, the memorial service for Shinran Shonin. 

Rev. Ron Miyamura delivers a formal Dharma Talk explaining a Shinran Shonin quote on the subject of cross-wise transcendence.

Rev. Ron Miyamura shares a Dharma Talk about Eshinni and Kakushinni, the wife and daughter of the Shinran Shonin.  

Rev. Miyamura shares his Dharma Talk on the occasion of Gotan-E (the birth of Shinran Shonin, Hatsumairi (the "first service" for new born children) and Parents Day in honor of both mothers and fathers together. 

Minister's Assistant Sandra Adams shares her Dharma Talk about the Teachings of the Buddha and Shinran Shonin. 

Rev. Patti Nakai, resident minister of the Buddhist Temple of Chicago, is the guest speaker our Ho-Onko service. Ho-Onko is the annual memorial service in honor of the founder of Shin Buddhism, of Shinran Shonin. 

Minister's Assistant Cynthia Mee speaks about the Naijin and the meaning of the many artifacts found on the Naijin. Also, in this season of family holidays, her message includes thoughts about Shinran Shonin's family. 

Rev. Kurt Rye of the Ekoji Buddhist Temple in Washington DC gives two Dharma Talks, one to the Dharma School class, on this occasion of Go-tan-e; the birth of Shinran Shonin. In his second talk Rev. Rye recounts the story of Shinran's life as a monk leading to his teachings of Buddhism. 

Ministers Assistant Sandra Adams speaks at the March Monthly Memorial Service. Her message is about gaining a better understand of Shakyamuni Buddha's teaching through the many writings of Shinran Shonin.

Rev. Ron Miyamura speaks of how ego is the obstacle to understanding and accepting the change around us. He speaks of Shinran Shonin's experience of overcoming his ego to attain enlightenment.

Guest minister, Rev. Patti Nakai speaks at the annual Hoonko Service (Shinran's Memorial). The first part of her talk is addressed to the Dharma School children in attendance. Then, on this occasion of Hoonko, Rev. Nakai talks about Shinran Shonin's life, concentrating on his later years when he created many of his writings which are still studied today. 

Rev. Patti Nakai, resident minister of The Buddhist Temple of Chicago, speaks about Shinran Shonin—and his initial “stinky feet” religion.

Rev. Ron Miyamura talks about women in Buddhism, particularly Shinran Shonin's wife and daughter.

The Fall 2010 Numata Lecture at the Institute of Buddhist Studies was delivered by Prof. Kenneth Lee of the California State University, Northridge. Prof. Lee discussed Shinran Shonin's wasan, the Kōtaishi Shōtoku hōsan in devotion to Prince Shotoku, revered as the founder of Buddhism in Japan.

The Fall 2010 Numata Lecture at the Institute of Buddhist Studies was delivered by Prof. Kenneth Lee of the California State University, Northridge. Prof. Lee discussed Shinran Shonin's wasan, the Kōtaishi Shōtoku hōsan in devotion to Prince Shotoku, revered as the founder of Buddhism in Japan.

Today marks the celebration of the birth of Shinran Shonin, the founder of Jodo Shinshu. Sensei talks about Shinran and how unlikely a person he was to have started our sect, one of the predominant Buddhist sects in Japan.

What peace of mind has Buddhism brought to you? Sensei reflects upon his life and Shinran Shonin's struggles. He talks of the difference between Buddhism and the other major religions of the world.

This Sunday is the Ho-Onko service. Ho-Onko, meaning a gathering to express our indebtedness and thankfulness, is a memorial service in honor of Shinran Shonin. It is also an occasion to express our gratitude to Amida Buddha for having awakened us to life’s supreme meaning. Ho-Onko is the most important Jodo Shinshu ceremony. Our guest speaker is Reverend Ashikaga.

Shoshinge "The Hymn of True Faith" A crucial component of the Buddhist faith is chanting. The practice of chanting is much akin to the Christian hymns. Much like the past practice of the Catholic churches tradition of chanting in Latin, one does not need to know Japanese in order to be absorbed by the melodic rhythm of foreign sounds. This podcast is a recording of Shoshinge, one of the many Jodo Shinshu chants. Here's some background on this important chant. About Shoshige The following introduction is from Shinshū Seiten, Jōdo Shin Buddhist Teaching, published by the Buddhist Churches of America. The English translation of the gāthā is from The True Teaching, Practice and Realization of the Pure Land Way, Vol. I., Shin Buddhist Translation Series, Hongwanji International Center, Kyoto, Japan. The full title of this gāthā, Shoshin Nembutsu Ge, means ‘Gāthā on the Right (or True) Faith in the Nembutsu.’ The title consists of three terms: Shōshin, lit. ‘Right Faith’ refers to Shinjin, or Faith. Nembutsu, lit. ‘thinking of the Buddha,’ refers to the practice of uttering Amida’s Name. Ge, or ‘gāthā’ in Skt. Means ‘verse,’ or ‘hymn.’ Faith and Nembutsu are very important ideas constituting the central concepts of Shin Buddhism. In the passage which introduces the Shoshin Ge, Shinran notes; Relying upon the true words of the Great Sage and reading the commentaries of the great masters, I have realized the profound grace of the Buddha. Hence I here compose the Gāthā of True Faith in the Nembutsu. This shows that he composed this gatha out of his gratitude to Amida Buddha on the basis of the Teachings of Śākyamuni and the commentaries of the Seven Patriarchs. ‘The words of the Great Sage’ directly refers to the Dai Muryōju Kyō (The Larger Sutra), in which Shinran Shonin found the true religion by which a sinful and helpless man can be saved. He trusted in the Teachings of this Sutra singleheartedly, and conceived of all the other Teachings of the Buddha as being expedients to Pure Land Buddhism. It is also important to note that Shinran approached the Teachings of Amida’s Salvation through seven predecessors, namely, Nāgārjuna and Vasubandhu from India; Doran, Dōshaku and Zendō in China; Genshin and Genkū in Japan. In the Kyō Gyō Shin Shō he abundantly quotes from their discourse, and in the Shōshin Ge he gives their essentials. The whole gāthā is an exposition of the Pure Land Teaching which may be divided into two parts: 1) based on the Sutra and 2) based on the commentaries. The contents of the gāthā with minor divisions are as follows: I. Exposition based on the Sutra 1. Homage to Amida 2. Adoration, in particular, to a. Amida Buddha b. Śākyamuni Buddha 3. Exhortation II. Exposition based on the commentaries 1. General statement 2. Exposition, in particular, to a. Nāgārjuna [2nd or 3rd cen. A.D.] b. Vasubandhu [4th cen. A.D.] c. Donran [T’an Luan, 476-542 A.D.] d. Dōshaku [Tao-ch’o, 562-645 A.D.] e. Zendō [Shan Tao, 613-681 A.D.] f. Genshin [942-1017 A.D.] g. Genkū [Honen, 1133-1212 A.D.] 3. Exhortation Ki myo mu ryo ju nyo rai Na mu fu ka shi gi ko Ho zo bo satsu in ni ji Zai se ji sai o bus-sho To ken sho butsu jo do in Koku do nin den shi zen maku Kon ryu mu jo shu sho gan Cho hotsu ke u dai gu zei Go ko shi yui shi sho ju Ju sei myo sho mon jip-po Fu ho mu ryo mu hen ko Mu ge mu tai ko en no Sho jo kan gi chi e ko Fu dan nan ji mu sho ko Cho nichi gak-ko sho jin setsu Is-sai gun jo mu ko sho Hon gan myo go sho jo go Shin shin shin gyo gan ni in Jo to gaku sho dai ne han His-shi metsu do gan jo ju Nyo rai sho i ko shus-se Yui setsu mi da hon gan kai Go joku aku ji gun jo kai O shin nyo rai nyo jitsu gon No hotsu ichi nen ki ai shin Fu dan bon no toku ne han Bon jo gyaku ho sai e nyu Nyo shu shi nyu kai ichi mi Ses-shu shin ko jo sho go I no sui ha mu myo an Ton nai shin zo shi un mu Jo fu shin jitsu shin jin ten Hi nyo nik-ko fu un mu Un mu shi ge myo mu an Gyaku shin ken kyo dai kyo ki Soku o cho zetsu go aku shu Is-sai zen maku bon bu nin Mon shin nyo rai gu zei gan Butsu gon ko dai sho ge sha Ze nin myo fun da ri ke- fi Mi da butsu hon gan nen butsu Ja ken kyo man naku shu jo Shin gyo ju ji jin ni nan Nan chu shi nan mu ka shi In do sai ten shi ron ge Chu ka jichi iki shi ko so Ken dai sho ko se sho i Myo nyo rai hon ze o ki Sha ka nyo rai ryo ga sen I shu go myo nan ten jiku Ryu ju dai ji shut-to se Shitsu no zai ha u mu ken Sen zetsu dai jo mu jo ho Sho kan gi ji sho an raku Ken ji nan gyo roku ro ku Shin gyo i gyo shi do raku Oku nen mi da butsu hon gan Ji nen soku ji nyu hitsu jo Yui no jo sho nyo rai go O ho dai hi gu zei on Ten jin bo Satsu zo ron setsu Ki myo mu ge ko nyo rai E Shu ta ra ken shin jitsu Ko sen o cho dai sei gan Ko-yu hon gan riki e ko I do gun jo sho is-shin Ki nyu ku doku dai ho kai Hitsu gyaku nyu dai e shu shu Toku shi ren ge zo se kai Soku sho shin nyo hos-sho jin Yu bon no rin gen jin zu Nyu sho ji on ji o ge Hon shi don ran ryo ten shi Jo ko ran sho bo satsu rai San zo ru shi ju jo kyo Bon jo sen gyo ki raku ho Ten jin bo satsu ron chu ge Ho do in ga ken sei gan O gen ne ko yu ta riki Sho jo shi in yui shin jin Waku zen bon bu shin jin potsu Sho-chi sho-ji soku ne hon His-shi mu ryo ko myo do Sho-u shu jo kai fu ke Do shaku kes-sho do nan sho Yui myo jo do ka tsu nyu Man zen ji riki hen gon shu En man toku go kan sen sho San-pu san shin ke on gon Zo matsu ho metsu do-hi in Is-sho zo aku chi gu zei Shi an nyo gai sho myo ka Zen do doku myo bus-sho I Ko ai jo san yo gyaku aku Ko myo myo go ken in nen Kai-nyu hon gan dai-chi kai Gyo-ja sho-ju kon go shin Kyo-ki ichi nen so o go Yo-I dai to gyaku san nin Soku sho hos-sho shi jo raku Gen shin ko kai ichi dai kyo Hen ki an nyo kan is-sai Sen zo shu shin han sen jin Ho ke ni do sho ben ryu Goku ju aku nin yui sho butsu Ga yaku zai-hi ses-shu chu Bon no sho gen sui fu ken Dai-hi mu ken jo sho ga Hon shi gen ku myo buk-kyo Ren min zen maku bon bu nin Shin shu kyo sho ko hen shu Sen jaku hon gan gu aku se Gen rai sho-ji rin den ge Ket-chi gi jo I sho shi Soku nyu jaku jo mu I raku Hit-chi shin jin I no nyu Gu kyo dai ji shu shi tou Jo sai mu hen goku joku aku Do zoku ji shu gu do shin Yu-I ka shin shi ko so se-tsu Shoshinge Translation I take refuge in the Tathāgata of Immeasurable Life! I entrust myself to the Buddha of Inconceivable Light! Bodhisattva Dharmākara, in his causal stage, Under the guidance of Lokeśvararāja Buddha. Searched into the origins of the Buddhas’ pure land, And the qualities of those lands and their men and devas; He then established the supreme, incomparable Vow; He made the great Vow rare and all-encompassing. In five kalpas of profound thought, he embraced this Vow, Then resolved again that his Name be heard throughout the ten quarters. Everywhere he casts light immeasurable, boundless, Unhindered, unequaled, light-lord of all brilliance, Pure light, joyful light, the light of wisdom, Light constant, inconceivable, light beyond speaking, Light excelling sun and moon he sends forth, illumining countless worlds; The multitudes of beings all receive the radiance. The Name embodying the Primal Vow is the act of true settlement, The Vow of entrusting with sincere mind is the cause of birth; We realize the equal of enlightenment and supreme nirvāņa Through the fulfillment of the Vow of attaining nirvāņa without fail. Śākyamuni Tathāgata appeared in this world Solely to teach the ocean-like Primal Vow of Amida; We, an ocean of beings in an evil age of five defilements, Should entrust ourselves to the Tathagata’s words of truth. When the one thought-moment of joy arises, Nirvāņa is attained without severing blind passions; When ignorant and wise, even grave offenders and slanders of the dharma, all alike turn and enter shinjin, They are like waters that, on entering the ocean, become one in taste with it. The light of compassion that grasps us illumines and protects us always; The darkness of our ignorance is already broken through; Still the clouds and mists of greed and desire, anger and hatred, Cover as always the sky of true and real shinjin. But though light of the sun is veiled by clouds and mists, Beneath the clouds and mists there is brightness, not dark. When one realizes shinjin, seeing and revering and attaining great joy, One immediately leaps crosswise, closing off the five evil courses. All foolish beings, whether good or evil, When they hear and entrust to Amida’s universal Vow, Are praised by the Buddha as people of vast and excellent understanding; Such a person is called a pure white lotus. For evil sentient beings of wrong views and arrogance, The nembutsu that embodies Amida’s Primal Vow Is hard to accept in shinjin; This most difficult of difficulties, nothing surpasses. The masters of India in the west, who explained the teachings in treaties, And the eminent monks of China and Japan, Clarified the Great Sage’s true intent in appearing in the world, And revealed that Amida’s Primal Vow accords with the nature of beings. Śākyamuni Tathāgata, on Mount Lankā, Prophesied to the multitudes that in south India The mahasattva Nāgārjuna would appear in this world To crush the views of being and non-being; Proclaiming the unexcelled Mahāyāna teaching, He would attain the stage of joy and be born in the land of happiness. Nāgārjuna clarifies the hardship on the overland path of difficult practice, And leads us to entrust to the pleasure on the waterway of easy practice. He teaches that the moment one thinks on Amida’s Primal Vow, One is naturally brought to enter the sage of the definitely settled; Solely saying the Tathāgata’s Name constantly, One should respond with gratitude to the universal Vow of great compassion. Bodhisattva Vasubandhu, composing a treatise, declares That he takes refuge in the Tathagata of unhindered light, And that relying on the sutras, he will reveal the true and real virtues, And make widely known the great Vow by which we leap crosswise beyond birth-and-death. He discloses the mind that is single so that all beings be saved By Amida’s directing of virtue through the power of the Primal Vow. When a person turns and enters the great treasure-ocean of virtue, Necessarily he joins Amida’s assembly; And when he reaches hat lotus-held world, He immediately realizes the body of suchness or dharma-nature. Then sporting in the forests of blind passions, he manifests transcendent powers; Entering the garden of birth-and-death, he assumes various forms to guide others. Turning toward the dwelling of Master T’an-laun, the Emperor of Liang Always paid homage to him as a bodhisattva. Bodhiruci, master of the Tripitaka, gave T’an-laun the Pure Land teachings, And T’an-laun, burning his Taoist scriptures, took refuge in the land of bliss. In his commentary on the treatise of Bodhisattva Vasubandhu, He shows that the cause and attainment of birth in the fulfilled land lie in the Vow. Our going and returning, directed to us by Amida, come about through Other Power; The truly decisive cause is shinjin. When a foolish being of delusion and defilement awakens to shinjin, He realizes that birth-and-death is itself nirvāna; Without fail he reaches the land of immeasurable light And universally guides sentient beings to enlightenment. Tao-ch’o determined how difficult it is to fulfill the Path of Sages, And reveals that only passage through the Pure Land gate is possible for us. He criticizes self-power endeavor in the myriad good practices, And encourages us solely to say the fulfilled Name embodying true virtue. With kind concern he teaches the three characteristics of entrusting and non entrusting, Compassionately guiding all identically, whether they live when the dharma survives as but form, when in its last stage, or when it has become extinct. Though a person has committed evil all his life, when he encounters the Primal Vow, He will reach the world of peace and realize the perfect fruit of enlightenment. Shan-tao alone in his time clarified the Buddha’s true intent; Sorrowing at the plight of meditative and non-meditative practicers and people of grave evil, He reveals that Amida’s Light and Name are the causes of birth. When the practicer enters the great ocean of wisdom, the Primal Vow, He receives the diamond-like mind And accords with the one thought-moment of joy; whereupon, Equally with Vaidehī, he acquires the threefold wisdom And is immediately brought to attain the eternal bliss of dharma-nature. Genshin, having broadly elucidated the teaching of Śākyamuni’s lifetime, Wholeheartedly took refuge in the land of peace and urges all to do so; Ascertaining that minds devoted to single practice are profound, to sundry practice, shallow, He sets forth truly the difference between the fulfilled land and the transformed land. The person burdened with extreme evil should simply say the Name: Although I too am within Amida’s grasp, Passions obstruct my eyes and I cannot see him; Nevertheless, great compassion is untiring and illumines me always. Master Genkū, well-versed in the Buddha’s teaching, Turned compassionately to foolish people, both good and evil; Establishing in this remote land the teaching and realization that are the true essence of the Pure Land way, He transmits the selected Primal Vow to us of the defiled world: Return to this house of transmigration, of birth-and-death, Is decidedly caused by doubt. Swift entrance into the city of tranquility, the uncreated, Is necessarily brought about by shinjin. The mahasattvas and masters who spread the sutras Save the countless beings of utter defilement and evil. With the same mind, all people of the present, whether monk or lay, Should rely wholly on the teachings of these venerable masters. Sutras: Juseige | Junirai | Sanbutsuge | Shoshinge Copyright © 2006 by Nishi Hongwanji L.A.

Lecture by Takanori Sugioka Professor Takanori Sugioka discusses Shinran's use of various metaphors by Shinran Shonin in his expression of Shin Buddhist faith. Originally recorded June 7, 2007 © 2007 Takanori Sugioka

Hoonko is a holiday in the tradition of Japanese Jodo Shinshu Buddhism that observes the memorial of its founder, Shinran Shonin. Today is Hoonko. Delivering our dharma talk is Sensei Ashikaga. Sensei is the minister at the Buddhist Temple of Chicago located in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago.

Today is Bodhi Day, the day that Shakyamuni Buddha obtained enlightenment. Unlike Buddhist teachings of Shakyamuni's time, Shinran Shonin taught that you can attain enlightenment without the discipline of lifelong meditation or being part of the privileged class. Sensei talks a little about the history of our tradition, the Pureland sect of Buddhism, and how we came to being. Sensei also tells about the historical relationship between the Midwest Buddhist Temple and the Buddhist Temple of Chicago. Another interesting fact is the historical relationship between Nichiren and Shin-Buddhists. This is a must listen for people who are curious about the history of Shin-Buddhism. You can also access an archive of several years of past talks from iTunes. Search for "Midwest Buddhist Temple" in iTunes and you should be able to locate our archive.

In his portrait of Shinran Shonin, Sensei illustrates the strengths and weaknesses of the man who would guide us to the not so easy path to enlightenment.