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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 49

Sakyamuni Buddha is very important as the source
of the teaching on Amida Buddha, and in traditional
Mahayana Buddhism Amida Buddha is often understood
as the content of Sakyamuni Buddha’s awakening (i.e.
a sambhogakaya). We focus in particular on several
sutras attributed to Sakyamuni Buddha, which are
given a central place on our altars before the statue
of Amida Buddha. And in our study classes the wide
range of Sakyamuni Buddha’s teachings, as preserved
in Pali, Sanskrit, and other languages, are explored and
reflected upon.

when I was exposed to Pure Land Buddhism. Prejudices In Shin Buddhism, you rely on the grace of Amida
and narrow thinking that I had picked up in other Buddha. Would you say this is a departure from
Buddhist contexts had to be worked through before I the original approach of Buddha Sakyamuni who
came to really appreciate how special and wonderful the focussed on self-cultivation for enlightenment?
Jodo Shinshu way can be.
Sakayamuni Buddha taught 84,000 different methods
Shin Buddhists take refuge in Amida Buddha instead for awakening, according to the vast diversity among
of in the Three Jewels (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha) Dharma practitioners. Both self-cultivation and reliance
as in the other Buddhist traditions. Who is Amida on the Buddha’s power were among the methods he
Buddha, and how important is Sakyamuni Buddha provided. Each is adapted to the needs of different types
in your tradition? of people. We should discern which methods most suit

our individual karma, and support others on their own
There’s a misunderstanding here. Shin Buddhists take paths, whatever they may be. It’s all Dharma.
refuge in the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma,
and the Sangha. We do so at every weekly service, in You are ordained as a priest in the Shin Buddhist
fact. Jodo Shinshu is part of the mainstream Mahayana tradition. Is there a clear distinction between the
tradition of Buddhism. lifestyle of a priest and the laity in your tradition,
e.g. in terms of precepts or vows?

As for Amida Buddha, this figure is described in
hundreds of Mahayana Sutras, including the Lotus Monastic training and expectations vary considerably
Sutra and the Larger Pure Land Sutra. According to across Buddhist traditions today, and over time
Sakyamuni Buddha, long ago there was a bodhisattva periods within the same traditions at various previous
named Dharmakara who made vows to create a points. In Jodo Shinshu, clergy train for several years
situation wherein all beings without exception would and must have a higher education degree, then they
reach buddhahood. Dharmakara succeeded on the receive further cloistered monastic training ahead of
bodhisattva path, becoming the Buddha named their actual ordination. However, the act of ordination
Amitabha or Amitayus (called Amida in Japanese), does not involve extensive precepts as in many forms
meaning Infinite Light/Life (which symbolize boundless of Buddhism. This means that Shin Buddhist clergy
wisdom and compassion). Jodo Shinshu teaches that are neither monks nor laypeople, following from the
reliance on Amida Buddha allows us to pivot away from example set by our founder Shinran 800 years ago.
our subtly ego-driven pursuit of spirituality, relaxing
to allow the great power of the Dharma to work in our
lives naturally, bringing us eventually to awakening.