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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 21

their “added realization,” kaji. Yet, Although this is a bit unusual in name: Namu Amida Butsu, “I, this
these cosmic buddhas also turn out Buddhism, it actually reflects the foolish being, entrust myself to the
to be manifestations of buddha- foundations of Mahayana Buddhism. awakening of infinite light.” Or, as
nature, emptiness, and oneness, that As a movement, Mahāyāna the modern Shin Buddhist poet
is, the true nature of the self. Buddhism shifted the focus away Saichi states, “How wonderful, how
from the monkhood and towards the wonderful!/ In the cosmos utterly
What is the significance of taking community of all sentient beings. empty/ All are buddhas/ I, too, am
refuge in Shin Buddhism since included/ Namu Amida Butsu.”
taking refuge in the Three Jewels That is why, of the Three Baskets of
is common to all schools of Sacred Scriptures – Sūtra (Teachings What do you regard as the major
Buddhism? of the Buddha), Śāstra (Treatises relevance of Shin Buddhism for
or Explanations of the Buddha’s the modern world today?
In Shin Buddhism, there are many Teachings), and Vinaya (Monastic
practices, including taking the Regulation), entirely new sūtras and Until the twentieth century, the
Three Refuges, chanting, bowing, Śastras were created just for the highest attainment of bodhi or
offering incense, and so on. At the Mahāyāna, yet there is no special awakening was reserved primarily
same time, the saying or chanting Mahāyāna vinaya that is exclusively for the ecclesiastical class, the
of the Name of Amida Buddha, or focused on renunciant monks and ordained. Only a fairly small
nembutsu, is said to contain all other nuns. Lay people are featured as the percentage of lay people practiced
practices; so that if all one can do protagonists of Mahāyāna sutras, seated meditation or went on
is to practice the nembutsu, that is such as the Layman Vimalakīrti in extended meditation retreats. From
sufficient. Shinran thus states that the Vimalakīrti Nirdeśa Sūtra and the latter half of the twentieth
the nembutsu is “the basis of all in the Sūtra of Queen Śrīmālā. The century, first in the West, then in
good, all virtue.” saṅgha of early Indian Buddhism is Asia and elsewhere, increasing
the community of monks and nuns. numbers of people have engaged in
Another key aspect of Buddhism The saṅgha of Mahāyāna Buddhism meditation and other contemplative
is the monastic Sangha but Shin is the cosmic community of all practices but the support and
Buddhism is non-monastic. Does sentient beings. In Zen Buddhism, teachings relevant to facing
the Shin priest replace the role of for example, even trees and grasses the challenges of lay life in the
the monastic? are said to be enlightened. complexity of the modern world are

often lacking. Shin Buddhism arose
Shin Buddhist priests are usually Shinran famously stated, “I am specifically for those of us who
married and have families, so it neither monk nor layman.” This live in the world of attachments
is a “lay priesthood.” This began means, in the path of Shin Buddhism and blind passions in such a way
from the time of Shinran himself. and boundless compassion, there that the deepest realization of the
Shinran was married to Eshinni, and is no distinction between lay Dharma is made available to all of
together they had seven children. and monastic. At the same time, us. I often share the path of Shin
For thirty years, they had lived this statement by Shinran can be Buddhism with people who have
among the farmers and ordinary understood as a reflection of his never heard of it, yet it seems to
lay people in the countryside, as own self-realization: “As a foolish speak to them immediately, as
partners in ministry. “Eshinni” is a being, I am not qualified to call relevant to their difficulties and
name that reflects ordained status myself a good layman or a good spiritual quest. I feel that this
and both Shinran and Eshinni are monk. I simply entrust myself to interview is another wonderful
always depicted wearing priests’ the awakening of infinite light.” opportunity to share the Buddha
robes. This is a common practice Both readings can be true, and both Way. How wonderful! Thank you.
in Shin Buddhist temples today. can be seen in the practice of the Palms together. EH