Kyogyoshinsho
Encyclopedia
, often abbreviated to , is the magnum opus
of Shinran
Shonin, the founder of the Japanese Buddhist sect, Jodo Shinshu
. The work was written after Shinran's exile, and is believed to have been composed in the year 1224. It represents a synthesis of various Buddhist sutra
s in Mahayana
literature, including the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life, the Nirvana Sutra, the Avatamsaka Sutra
and the Mahaprajñaparamita Sutra
. In this way, Shinran expounds Jodo Shinshu thought. The work is divided into six chapters, not including the Preface:
In addition to frequent quotations from Buddhist sutras, Shinran often quotes the Jodo Shinshu dharma masters, who comprise the teaching lineage, which extends from Shakyamuni Buddha to Shinran's teacher Honen. At the beginning of each chapter Shinran begins with the phrase (in English) "Compiled by Gutoku Shinran, Disciple of Shakyamuni". The name Gutoku or "foolish, stubble-headed one" was the name Shinran gave himself after he was exiled from Kyoto.
is extremely rare and auspicious for all beings, and that Shakyamuni Buddha's appearance in the world was expressly to propound the Pure Land teachings.
Buddhist thought namely:
Later the chapter quotes at length passages from the writings of Nagarjuna
, Vasubandhu
, Shan-tao
and Hōnen as well as other Jodo Shinshu Patriarchs
in chronological order. Shinran
appears to be providing a progression of ideas among Buddhist writers that shows the evolution of Pure Land
Buddhism. Among the topics discussed and cited are the recitation of the Amitabha
's name, or nembutsu, the Path of the Bodhisattva
, and the nature of the Pure Land
itself.
Toward the end, Shinran
turns toward the topic of tariki or Other Power and again quotes from various sutras and commentaries to draw his ideas upon. At the end of Chapter 2, Shinran writes his famous hymn, the Shoshinge
or "Hymn of true Entrusting", which is a cornerstone of Jodo Shinshu
liturgy.
, or total entrusting to Amitabha
Buddha, and how other schools focused on self-power are floundering in their efforts.
In Chapter 3 itself, Shinran discusses shinjin
in much detail, and why it is central to Jodo Shinshu
practice. For Shinran, the total entrusting to Amitabha
represented the most assured way for the common man to be reborn into the Pure Land, because rebirth would occur entirely through the compassion and wisdom of Amitabha
. Again, Shinran quotes at length from both Tan-luan
and Shan-tao
who expounded the subject in detail in explaining the ideas of reciting Amitabha
's and entrusting one's self to the practice of it.
Shinran then discuss the nature of shinjin, and describes it as the "mind aspiring for great enlightenment" in a transcendent, crosswise manner, as opposed to the direct manner found in self-oriented practices. Here Shinran reiterates the point that if one abandons "sundry practices" and entrusts themselves to Amitabha
for one thought-moment, they will attain a state of shinjin and their birth in the Pure Land will be assured.
Shinran then lists the benefits of practicing the nembutsu, or recitation of Amitabha
's name. These include a great sense of joy, the praise of the myriad Buddhas, the protection of the myriad Buddhas, and a state of being "truly settled". The last section of Chapter 3 focuses on what defines people who cannot be saved by other Buddhist practices, who are seen as the main focus of Amitabha
's Primal Vow
.
as the Dharmakaya
itself, and that those who attain shinjin are assured of Nirvana
. Noteworthy is the quote at the beginning of the chapter:
After the introduction, Shinran writes about the idea, first posited by Hōnen, about Amitabha
's intent to lead all beings to the Pure Land
through smarana, so that they can become Bodhisattva
s. These Bodhisattvas, will then return to the world to lead other beings along the Buddhist path.
Again, Shinran expands on these ideas by citing the writings of past patriarchs
of Pure Land thought.
of Amitabha Buddha, and birth there. Shinran writes that the Pure Land represents truth and reality, and upon birth in the Pure Land, one's delusions are immediately gone. As the Buddha Amitabha embodies the truth (symbolized by infinite light) his Pure Land and birth there represents awakening from delusions and defilements. This complements Chapter 4's assertion that shinjin is the same as Nirvana.
Buddhism as varying forms of skillful means. Other Buddhist writers in medieval Japan similarly tried to categorize Buddhist sects into a form of hierarchy, and here Shinran attempts to do the same. Shinran believes that in the era of Mappo
, most of the original practices and teachings have died out or lost their efficacy, and so the only viable path left is the Pure Land
path.
The end of Chapter 6, the Postscript, includes a brief autobiography, particularly during and after Shinra's exile from Kyoto
in the year 1207. He writes about how he came to Hōnen's teachings in the year 1201 and feels he has remained his disciple ever since. He explains that his motivation is to share his joy in finding the Pure Land
and hopes that others will take refuge in Amitabha
as well. Shinran concludes the Kyogyoshinsho with a passage from the Flower Garland Sutra:
Masterpiece
Masterpiece in modern usage refers to a creation that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career or to a work of outstanding creativity, skill or workmanship....
of Shinran
Shinran
was a Japanese Buddhist monk, who was born in Hino at the turbulent close of the Heian Period and lived during the Kamakura Period...
Shonin, the founder of the Japanese Buddhist sect, Jodo Shinshu
Jodo Shinshu
, also known as Shin Buddhism, is a school of Pure Land Buddhism. It was founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran. Today, Shin Buddhism is considered the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan.-Shinran :...
. The work was written after Shinran's exile, and is believed to have been composed in the year 1224. It represents a synthesis of various Buddhist sutra
Sutra
Sūtra is an aphorism or a collection of such aphorisms in the form of a manual. Literally it means a thread or line that holds things together and is derived from the verbal root siv-, meaning to sew , as does the medical term...
s in Mahayana
Mahayana
Mahāyāna is one of the two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice...
literature, including the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life, the Nirvana Sutra, the Avatamsaka Sutra
Avatamsaka Sutra
The is one of the most influential Mahayana sutras of East Asian Buddhism. The title is rendered in English as Flower Garland Sutra, Flower Adornment Sutra, or Flower Ornament Scripture....
and the Mahaprajñaparamita Sutra
Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra
The Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra was an encyclopedic collection of Prajnaparamita texts, usually attributed to Nagarjuna, translated into Chinese by Xuanzang and his assistants. Alternatively, this name refers to the Large Sutra on the Perfection of Wisdom The Mahaprajnaparamita Sutra was an...
. In this way, Shinran expounds Jodo Shinshu thought. The work is divided into six chapters, not including the Preface:
- Chapter 1 - Teaching
- Chapter 2 - Practice
- Chapter 3 - ShinjinShinjinShinjin was originally the Japanese word for the Buddhist concept of citta-prasāda , but now carries a more popular related meaning of faith or entrusting....
, plus additional preface - Chapter 4 - Realizing
- Chapter 5 - The True Buddha and Land
- Chapter 6 - The Transformed Buddha and Land
In addition to frequent quotations from Buddhist sutras, Shinran often quotes the Jodo Shinshu dharma masters, who comprise the teaching lineage, which extends from Shakyamuni Buddha to Shinran's teacher Honen. At the beginning of each chapter Shinran begins with the phrase (in English) "Compiled by Gutoku Shinran, Disciple of Shakyamuni". The name Gutoku or "foolish, stubble-headed one" was the name Shinran gave himself after he was exiled from Kyoto.
Chapter 1
This is the shortest of the six chapters, and mostly quotes from the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable to explain that encountering a BuddhaBuddhahood
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
is extremely rare and auspicious for all beings, and that Shakyamuni Buddha's appearance in the world was expressly to propound the Pure Land teachings.
Chapter 2
This chapter delves in more detail the basis for Pure LandPure land
A pure land, in Mahayana Buddhism, is the celestial realm or pure abode of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. The various traditions that focus on Pure Lands have been given the nomenclature Pure Land Buddhism. Pure lands are also evident in the literature and traditions of Taoism and Bön.The notion of 'pure...
Buddhist thought namely:
- That the Buddha AmitabhaAmitabhaAmitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
made a series of vows to save all beings - That the most important vow is the 18th or Primal VowPrimal VowThe Primal Vow , also known as the 18th Vow is part of a series of 48 vows that Amitabha Buddha made in the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life...
to lead beings to the Pure LandPure landA pure land, in Mahayana Buddhism, is the celestial realm or pure abode of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. The various traditions that focus on Pure Lands have been given the nomenclature Pure Land Buddhism. Pure lands are also evident in the literature and traditions of Taoism and Bön.The notion of 'pure...
if they recite his name - That the Buddha AmitabhaAmitabhaAmitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
sought to excel among Buddhas by providing a way out of suffering that all could practice.
Later the chapter quotes at length passages from the writings of Nagarjuna
Nagarjuna
Nāgārjuna was an important Buddhist teacher and philosopher. Along with his disciple Āryadeva, he is credited with founding the Mādhyamaka school of Mahāyāna Buddhism...
, Vasubandhu
Vasubandhu
Vasubandhu was an Indian Buddhist monk, and along with his half-brother Asanga, one of the main founders of the Indian Yogācāra school. However, some scholars consider Vasubandhu to be two distinct people. Vasubandhu is one of the most influential figures in the entire history of Buddhism...
, Shan-tao
Shan-tao
Shan-tao was an influential writer for the Pure Land school of Buddhism, prominent in China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan. His writings had a strong influence on later Pure Land masters including Hōnen and Shinran in Japan....
and Hōnen as well as other Jodo Shinshu Patriarchs
Jodo Shinshu Patriarchs
The Seven Patriarchs of Jodo Shinshu were seven Buddhist monks who helped develop Pure Land Buddhism. Shinran, founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, established a lineage for Pure Land Buddhist thought that traced to the time of Shakyamuni Buddha...
in chronological order. Shinran
Shinran
was a Japanese Buddhist monk, who was born in Hino at the turbulent close of the Heian Period and lived during the Kamakura Period...
appears to be providing a progression of ideas among Buddhist writers that shows the evolution of Pure Land
Pure land
A pure land, in Mahayana Buddhism, is the celestial realm or pure abode of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. The various traditions that focus on Pure Lands have been given the nomenclature Pure Land Buddhism. Pure lands are also evident in the literature and traditions of Taoism and Bön.The notion of 'pure...
Buddhism. Among the topics discussed and cited are the recitation of the Amitabha
Amitabha
Amitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
's name, or nembutsu, the Path of the Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva
In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is either an enlightened existence or an enlightenment-being or, given the variant Sanskrit spelling satva rather than sattva, "heroic-minded one for enlightenment ." The Pali term has sometimes been translated as "wisdom-being," although in modern publications, and...
, and the nature of the Pure Land
Pure land
A pure land, in Mahayana Buddhism, is the celestial realm or pure abode of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. The various traditions that focus on Pure Lands have been given the nomenclature Pure Land Buddhism. Pure lands are also evident in the literature and traditions of Taoism and Bön.The notion of 'pure...
itself.
Toward the end, Shinran
Shinran
was a Japanese Buddhist monk, who was born in Hino at the turbulent close of the Heian Period and lived during the Kamakura Period...
turns toward the topic of tariki or Other Power and again quotes from various sutras and commentaries to draw his ideas upon. At the end of Chapter 2, Shinran writes his famous hymn, the Shoshinge
Shoshinge
The Shōshinge or The Hymn of True Faith was written by the founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, Shinran. It consists of an outline of the Pure Land teaching according to Shinran's personal interpretation...
or "Hymn of true Entrusting", which is a cornerstone of Jodo Shinshu
Jodo Shinshu
, also known as Shin Buddhism, is a school of Pure Land Buddhism. It was founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran. Today, Shin Buddhism is considered the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan.-Shinran :...
liturgy.
Chapter 3
The preface to this chapter begins with Shinran discussing his belief in shinjinShinjin
Shinjin was originally the Japanese word for the Buddhist concept of citta-prasāda , but now carries a more popular related meaning of faith or entrusting....
, or total entrusting to Amitabha
Amitabha
Amitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
Buddha, and how other schools focused on self-power are floundering in their efforts.
In Chapter 3 itself, Shinran discusses shinjin
Shinjin
Shinjin was originally the Japanese word for the Buddhist concept of citta-prasāda , but now carries a more popular related meaning of faith or entrusting....
in much detail, and why it is central to Jodo Shinshu
Jodo Shinshu
, also known as Shin Buddhism, is a school of Pure Land Buddhism. It was founded by the former Tendai Japanese monk Shinran. Today, Shin Buddhism is considered the most widely practiced branch of Buddhism in Japan.-Shinran :...
practice. For Shinran, the total entrusting to Amitabha
Amitabha
Amitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
represented the most assured way for the common man to be reborn into the Pure Land, because rebirth would occur entirely through the compassion and wisdom of Amitabha
Amitabha
Amitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
. Again, Shinran quotes at length from both Tan-luan
Tan-luan
Tánluán was a Chinese Buddhist monk. He is credited by Hōnen as the founder of Pure Land Buddhism in China. He is also considered the Third Patriarch in Japanese Jodo Shinshu Buddhism....
and Shan-tao
Shan-tao
Shan-tao was an influential writer for the Pure Land school of Buddhism, prominent in China, Korea, Vietnam and Japan. His writings had a strong influence on later Pure Land masters including Hōnen and Shinran in Japan....
who expounded the subject in detail in explaining the ideas of reciting Amitabha
Amitabha
Amitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
's and entrusting one's self to the practice of it.
Shinran then discuss the nature of shinjin, and describes it as the "mind aspiring for great enlightenment" in a transcendent, crosswise manner, as opposed to the direct manner found in self-oriented practices. Here Shinran reiterates the point that if one abandons "sundry practices" and entrusts themselves to Amitabha
Amitabha
Amitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
for one thought-moment, they will attain a state of shinjin and their birth in the Pure Land will be assured.
Shinran then lists the benefits of practicing the nembutsu, or recitation of Amitabha
Amitabha
Amitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
's name. These include a great sense of joy, the praise of the myriad Buddhas, the protection of the myriad Buddhas, and a state of being "truly settled". The last section of Chapter 3 focuses on what defines people who cannot be saved by other Buddhist practices, who are seen as the main focus of Amitabha
Amitabha
Amitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
's Primal Vow
Primal Vow
The Primal Vow , also known as the 18th Vow is part of a series of 48 vows that Amitabha Buddha made in the Larger Sutra of Immeasurable Life...
.
Chapter 4
In the comparatively short Chapter 4, Shinran begins by writings about nature of AmitabhaAmitabha
Amitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
as the Dharmakaya
Dharmakaya
The Dharmakāya is a central idea in Mahayana Buddhism forming part of the Trikaya doctrine that was possibly first expounded in the Aṣṭasāhasrikā prajñā-pāramitā , composed in the 1st century BCE...
itself, and that those who attain shinjin are assured of Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvāṇa ; ) is a central concept in Indian religions. In sramanic thought, it is the state of being free from suffering. In Hindu philosophy, it is the union with the Supreme being through moksha...
. Noteworthy is the quote at the beginning of the chapter:
- ...Because they [who attained shinjin] dwell among the truly settled, they necessarily attain Nirvana...Supreme Nirvana is uncreated dharma-body [dharmakaya]. Uncreated dharma-body is true reality. True reality is dharma-nature. Dharma-nature is suchness. Suchness is oneness. Amida Tathagata comes forth from suchness and manifests various bodies...
After the introduction, Shinran writes about the idea, first posited by Hōnen, about Amitabha
Amitabha
Amitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
's intent to lead all beings to the Pure Land
Pure land
A pure land, in Mahayana Buddhism, is the celestial realm or pure abode of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. The various traditions that focus on Pure Lands have been given the nomenclature Pure Land Buddhism. Pure lands are also evident in the literature and traditions of Taoism and Bön.The notion of 'pure...
through smarana, so that they can become Bodhisattva
Bodhisattva
In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is either an enlightened existence or an enlightenment-being or, given the variant Sanskrit spelling satva rather than sattva, "heroic-minded one for enlightenment ." The Pali term has sometimes been translated as "wisdom-being," although in modern publications, and...
s. These Bodhisattvas, will then return to the world to lead other beings along the Buddhist path.
Again, Shinran expands on these ideas by citing the writings of past patriarchs
Jodo Shinshu Patriarchs
The Seven Patriarchs of Jodo Shinshu were seven Buddhist monks who helped develop Pure Land Buddhism. Shinran, founder of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism, established a lineage for Pure Land Buddhist thought that traced to the time of Shakyamuni Buddha...
of Pure Land thought.
Chapter 5
Chapter 5 is devoted to the Pure LandPure land
A pure land, in Mahayana Buddhism, is the celestial realm or pure abode of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. The various traditions that focus on Pure Lands have been given the nomenclature Pure Land Buddhism. Pure lands are also evident in the literature and traditions of Taoism and Bön.The notion of 'pure...
of Amitabha Buddha, and birth there. Shinran writes that the Pure Land represents truth and reality, and upon birth in the Pure Land, one's delusions are immediately gone. As the Buddha Amitabha embodies the truth (symbolized by infinite light) his Pure Land and birth there represents awakening from delusions and defilements. This complements Chapter 4's assertion that shinjin is the same as Nirvana.
Chapter 6
Chapter 6 is the longest chapter of the Kyogyoshinsho, and brings other Buddhist sects and practices into the context of Pure LandPure land
A pure land, in Mahayana Buddhism, is the celestial realm or pure abode of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. The various traditions that focus on Pure Lands have been given the nomenclature Pure Land Buddhism. Pure lands are also evident in the literature and traditions of Taoism and Bön.The notion of 'pure...
Buddhism as varying forms of skillful means. Other Buddhist writers in medieval Japan similarly tried to categorize Buddhist sects into a form of hierarchy, and here Shinran attempts to do the same. Shinran believes that in the era of Mappo
Mappo
The Latter Day of the Law, is one of the Three Ages of Buddhism. Mappō or Mofa , which is also translated as the Age of Dharma Decline, is the "degenerate" Third Age of Buddhism.- Tradition :...
, most of the original practices and teachings have died out or lost their efficacy, and so the only viable path left is the Pure Land
Pure land
A pure land, in Mahayana Buddhism, is the celestial realm or pure abode of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. The various traditions that focus on Pure Lands have been given the nomenclature Pure Land Buddhism. Pure lands are also evident in the literature and traditions of Taoism and Bön.The notion of 'pure...
path.
The end of Chapter 6, the Postscript, includes a brief autobiography, particularly during and after Shinra's exile from Kyoto
Kyoto
is a city in the central part of the island of Honshū, Japan. It has a population close to 1.5 million. Formerly the imperial capital of Japan, it is now the capital of Kyoto Prefecture, as well as a major part of the Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto metropolitan area.-History:...
in the year 1207. He writes about how he came to Hōnen's teachings in the year 1201 and feels he has remained his disciple ever since. He explains that his motivation is to share his joy in finding the Pure Land
Pure land
A pure land, in Mahayana Buddhism, is the celestial realm or pure abode of a Buddha or Bodhisattva. The various traditions that focus on Pure Lands have been given the nomenclature Pure Land Buddhism. Pure lands are also evident in the literature and traditions of Taoism and Bön.The notion of 'pure...
and hopes that others will take refuge in Amitabha
Amitabha
Amitābha is a celestial buddha described in the scriptures of the Mahāyāna school of Buddhism...
as well. Shinran concludes the Kyogyoshinsho with a passage from the Flower Garland Sutra:
- On seeing a bodhisattvaBodhisattvaIn Buddhism, a bodhisattva is either an enlightened existence or an enlightenment-being or, given the variant Sanskrit spelling satva rather than sattva, "heroic-minded one for enlightenment ." The Pali term has sometimes been translated as "wisdom-being," although in modern publications, and...
- Perform various practices,
- Some give rise to a good mind and others to a mind of evil,
- But the bodhisattva embraces them all.
External links
- The Kyogyoshinsho provided by "Collected Works of Shinran"
- Kyogyoshinsho translation by Hisao Inagaki
- The Book of Life Reflections on the Kyo Gyo Shin Sho