Shinran - The Great Teacher Who Revealed the Truth
Monday, February 13, 2012 at 2:00PM Originally published in White Path, May, 2003
Shinran - The Great Teacher Who Revealed the Truth
By Rev. Hoshu Y. Matsubayashi, Ed.D.
A famous Buddhist scholar, Dr. Daisetz T. Suzuki, once said that “The Japanese may not have offered very many original ideas to world thought or world culture, but in Shin (Jodo Shinshu Buddhism) we find a major contribution the Japanese can make to the outside world and all the other Buddhist schools.” He further said that “Of all the development Mahayana Buddhism has achieved in the Far East, the most remarkable one is the Shin teaching of the Pure Land school. It is remarkable chiefly because geographically its birthplace is Japan and historically it is the latest evolution of Pure Land Mahayana, and therefore the highest point it has reached.”
Buddhism has been existing in Japan since it was introduced into Japan in the middle of the 6th century, but in those days Buddhism was a somewhat aristocratic religion and the Buddhist monastries were confined to the noble people and was isolated from the ordinary people. Jodo or Pure Land idea grew first in India and developed in China during the Tang dynasty. Shinran founded the Jodo Shinshu or the True Pure Land Buddhism in the 13th century in Japan. He had a profound understanding on human nature and the needs of the ordinary people for their enlightenment. Shinran taught us that Amida Buddha is constantly shining upon each one of us with his guiding light of the great compassion and wisdom . This is the function of the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha.
A history book of the Japanese Canadians entitled One Hundred Year History of the Canadian Immigration describes the life of a Japanese immigrant, Mrs. Fude Nakatsu, who was born in Wakayama Prefecture in Japan and married Mr. Yasutaro Nakatsu in Canada in 1916, when she was 26 years old. She states that her mother’s last words at the time of her departure were, “Fude, I will send you off at home, but when you miss your father or mother, please recite Namo Amida Butsu!” “Namo Amida Butsu” is our realization of oneness with the great compassion and wisdom of Amida Buddha. Shinran reminded us that we are always embraced by the great compassion of Amida Buddha even though we are living through hardships and discriminations.
Shinran was exiled into northern country of Japan by the government because he taught a way of the Nembutsu for the ordinary people by ignoring aristocratic Buddhist practices. He was the first Buddhist priest to lead a married and family life and partook in regular meals, which included fresh meat. Shinran emphasized that the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha does not discriminate against anyone because of the social or physical conditions or the life-style. He declared himself as neither priest nor layman. He stated that “When I carefully consider the Primal Vow which Amida Buddha brought forth, I find that it was only for me, Shinran, alone! How gracious is the Primal Vow of Amida Buddha who resolved to lead me to enlightenment!” He assured us a true way to enlightenment is a way of the Nembutsu, Namo Amida Butsu.
After Shinran passed away and as time went on, Shinran’s real character and teaching were truly recognized in Japan and Jodo Shinshu Buddhism became one of the largest denominations today. In 1877, six hundred fifteen years after his death, the Emperor Meiji of Japan honored him with the special title of “Kenshin Daishi” or “The Great Teacher who has revealed the Truth.” Let us all appreciate the dedicated religious guidance of Shinran and a way of the Nembutsu, Namo Amida Butsu.