Comments on: Parting ways with Jodo Shinshu Buddhism http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/05/parting-ways-with-jodo-shinshu-buddhism/ My life as a father, Buddhist and Japanophile. Sat, 11 Jun 2011 01:53:14 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: James C. http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/05/parting-ways-with-jodo-shinshu-buddhism/#comment-5701 James C. Tue, 01 Mar 2011 02:25:05 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=287#comment-5701 "A rose by any other name ..." Best wishes to you on your way. I have always found that if one's heart is set on reality/truth, though we go our round-about way through life, we will not be abandoned. As indicated in the Avatamsaka sutra: "Faith is the source of enlightenment, the mother of virtues; It nurtures all forms of goodness. It cuts away the net of doubt and breaks free from the currents of desire; It unfolds the supreme enlightenment of nirvana." So, faith in the universal availability of Buddha Nature and appreciation of the absolute nature of Compassion is far more important than faith in this or that explication of doctrine. Again, best wishes! “A rose by any other name …”

Best wishes to you on your way. I have always found that if one’s heart is set on reality/truth, though we go our round-about way through life, we will not be abandoned.

As indicated in the Avatamsaka sutra:

“Faith is the source of enlightenment,
the mother of virtues;
It nurtures all forms of goodness.
It cuts away the net of doubt and breaks free from the currents of desire;
It unfolds the supreme enlightenment of nirvana.”

So, faith in the universal availability of Buddha Nature and appreciation of the absolute nature of Compassion is far more important than faith in this or that explication of doctrine.

Again, best wishes!

]]> By: Kyōshin http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/05/parting-ways-with-jodo-shinshu-buddhism/#comment-5121 Kyōshin Sat, 01 Jan 2011 18:53:06 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=287#comment-5121 Larry: <i>"In later years D T Suzuki became Jodo Shinshu."</i> That is a misleading over-simplification. He became increasingly interested in Jodo Shinshu but he did not make any kind of conversion from one tradition to another. He was working on a both a translation of the Hekigan roku and the Kyogyoshinsho when he died so his interest in Jodo Shinshu had certainly not eclipsed his focus on Zen. Larry: “In later years D T Suzuki became Jodo Shinshu.”

That is a misleading over-simplification. He became increasingly interested in Jodo Shinshu but he did not make any kind of conversion from one tradition to another. He was working on a both a translation of the Hekigan roku and the Kyogyoshinsho when he died so his interest in Jodo Shinshu had certainly not eclipsed his focus on Zen.

]]> By: Doug M http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/05/parting-ways-with-jodo-shinshu-buddhism/#comment-5079 Doug M Mon, 27 Dec 2010 18:03:01 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=287#comment-5079 Hi Larry and welcome the JLR! I agree on the need to constantly question one's faith, even if it looks nice on paper. :) Hi Larry and welcome the JLR! I agree on the need to constantly question one’s faith, even if it looks nice on paper. :)

]]> By: Larry Ryan http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/05/parting-ways-with-jodo-shinshu-buddhism/#comment-5078 Larry Ryan Mon, 27 Dec 2010 17:53:57 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=287#comment-5078 Very Good. Its nice to hear someone actually questioning. Buddhism is usually very difficult for Westerners, because it is so simple. I am Jodo Shinshu who came from Nichiren Shoshu. You must find what is comfortable. While in high school I read everything I could on Zen. In later years D T Suzuki became Jodo Shinshu. I think we take different paths for the different times in our lives. In Gassho Larry Ryan Steveston Buddhist Temple Very Good. Its nice to hear someone actually questioning. Buddhism is usually very difficult for Westerners, because it is so simple. I am Jodo Shinshu who came from Nichiren Shoshu. You must find what is comfortable. While in high school I read everything I could on Zen. In later years D T Suzuki became Jodo Shinshu. I think we take different paths for the different times in our lives.

In Gassho

Larry Ryan
Steveston Buddhist Temple

]]> By: josho_adrian http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/05/parting-ways-with-jodo-shinshu-buddhism/#comment-1941 josho_adrian Wed, 25 Jun 2008 23:59:03 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=287#comment-1941 About the precepts in Brahma Net Sutra, which you mentioned, I myself have never thought that Jodo Shinshu followers should not make any efforts to observe them because they are saved by Amida. Actually, a Jodo Shinshu follower has the same ethical requirements like any other Mahayana follower, only that he should not consider this as adding something to the salvation of Amida Buddha which is freely given to all. I posted here two articles about the relation between Bodhisattva precepts and Jodo Shinshu, for those interested in this matter: http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2007/10/mahayana-precepts-and-jodo-shinshu.html http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2007/10/again-on-jodo-shinshu-ethics.html Wish you all the best in choosing the right path for you. About the precepts in Brahma Net Sutra, which you mentioned, I myself have never thought that Jodo Shinshu followers should not make any efforts to observe them because they are saved by Amida.
Actually, a Jodo Shinshu follower has the same ethical requirements like any other Mahayana follower, only that he should not consider this as adding something to the salvation of Amida Buddha which is freely given to all.
I posted here two articles about the relation between Bodhisattva precepts and Jodo Shinshu, for those interested in this matter:
http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2007/10/mahayana-precepts-and-jodo-shinshu.html

http://amida-ji-retreat-temple-romania.blogspot.com/2007/10/again-on-jodo-shinshu-ethics.html

Wish you all the best in choosing the right path for you.

]]> By: Jishin http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/05/parting-ways-with-jodo-shinshu-buddhism/#comment-1940 Jishin Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:26:44 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=287#comment-1940 Well I think Kyoshin sums it up all very well in one of his comments above where he talks about 'passivity in practice', I deal with it by attending services, participating in temple study groups and 'faith-meetings' and very importantly talking to my Dharma-friends such as Kyoshin. Our sangha is quiet young but things are starting to settle down and people are now finding in their own way the best way they can contribute to it. It all takes time but it happens very naturally. I respect you very much Gerald for your energy and enthusiasm. In Gassho J Well I think Kyoshin sums it up all very well in one of his comments above where he talks about ‘passivity in practice’, I deal with it by attending services, participating in temple study groups and ‘faith-meetings’ and very importantly talking to my Dharma-friends such as Kyoshin. Our sangha is quiet young but things are starting to settle down and people are now finding in their own way the best way they can contribute to it. It all takes time but it happens very naturally.

I respect you very much Gerald for your energy and enthusiasm.

In Gassho

J

]]> By: Gerald Ford http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/05/parting-ways-with-jodo-shinshu-buddhism/#comment-1937 Gerald Ford Thu, 19 Jun 2008 15:58:31 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=287#comment-1937 Hi Jishin, always good to hear from you. Please note though that I am not sad about the decision, in fact lately I feel kind of relieved. I think I felt this way for a while, but was hesitant to say it others. Now that I've admitted it, I feel better. However, I would like to stress that my time at the local time has been very valuable, and while I am still in Seattle, I have every intention of going still. As Kyoushin said, there are a lot of nice people there, and it's a nice place to raise a family. :) Anyways, yeah one of the challenges of Pure Land Buddhism overall is getting too passive, and it sounds like you struggle with this as much as I do. I am curious how you deal with the temptation of passivity. Hi Jishin, always good to hear from you. Please note though that I am not sad about the decision, in fact lately I feel kind of relieved. I think I felt this way for a while, but was hesitant to say it others. Now that I’ve admitted it, I feel better. However, I would like to stress that my time at the local time has been very valuable, and while I am still in Seattle, I have every intention of going still. As Kyoushin said, there are a lot of nice people there, and it’s a nice place to raise a family. :)

Anyways, yeah one of the challenges of Pure Land Buddhism overall is getting too passive, and it sounds like you struggle with this as much as I do. I am curious how you deal with the temptation of passivity.

]]> By: Jishin http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/05/parting-ways-with-jodo-shinshu-buddhism/#comment-1938 Jishin Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:14:28 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=287#comment-1938 Hi Gerald, I don't doubt you have strong personal reasons I am just very sorry to hear about your decision. Re the whole quietism subject (which wasnt actually specifically addressed to your problem) I also included the notion of passivity in my use of the term quietism. Sorry for not being more clear! Gassho in dharma J Hi Gerald, I don’t doubt you have strong personal reasons I am just very sorry to hear about your decision.

Re the whole quietism subject (which wasnt actually specifically addressed to your problem) I also included the notion of passivity in my use of the term quietism. Sorry for not being more clear!

Gassho in dharma

J

]]> By: Gerald Ford http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/05/parting-ways-with-jodo-shinshu-buddhism/#comment-1939 Gerald Ford Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:43:44 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=287#comment-1939 Hi Jishin, Glad to hear you're back from the trip to Japan (I've been reading it on your blog. Very interesting stuff). Yeah, I was hesitant to even mention it, as I didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings, but given the number of JSS readers on the blog, I felt it was better to just be honest about it. I do intend to keep touch with the folks here in Seattle, but since I will be in Dublin soon, that will be hard anyways. :p It's true that Quietist strains are found in all religions, and all Buddhist traditions, so perhaps the term Quietist isn't totally appropriate here. I think though the passivity of Jodo Shinshu is something that's never sat well with me. One could practice other things, but it's not emphasized. I just wanted to be challenged more I guess. My other concerns with Jodo Shinshu though are not related to this, but not something I have time to delve into here. Those issues I think are not fixable as they are endemic to Jodo Shinshu, nor do I want to spend anymore time trying to reconcile them when I can just find a new path that suits me better. I spent a long time trying to reconcile things, and that was just wasted effort. Jodo Shinshu is fine as it is, and can help a lot of people, but for me, it does not. Thanks! Hi Jishin,

Glad to hear you’re back from the trip to Japan (I’ve been reading it on your blog. Very interesting stuff). Yeah, I was hesitant to even mention it, as I didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but given the number of JSS readers on the blog, I felt it was better to just be honest about it. I do intend to keep touch with the folks here in Seattle, but since I will be in Dublin soon, that will be hard anyways. :p

It’s true that Quietist strains are found in all religions, and all Buddhist traditions, so perhaps the term Quietist isn’t totally appropriate here. I think though the passivity of Jodo Shinshu is something that’s never sat well with me. One could practice other things, but it’s not emphasized. I just wanted to be challenged more I guess.

My other concerns with Jodo Shinshu though are not related to this, but not something I have time to delve into here. Those issues I think are not fixable as they are endemic to Jodo Shinshu, nor do I want to spend anymore time trying to reconcile them when I can just find a new path that suits me better. I spent a long time trying to reconcile things, and that was just wasted effort. Jodo Shinshu is fine as it is, and can help a lot of people, but for me, it does not.

Thanks!

]]> By: Jishin http://japanlifeandreligion.com/2008/06/05/parting-ways-with-jodo-shinshu-buddhism/#comment-1936 Jishin Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:46:46 +0000 http://nihonshukyo.wordpress.com/?p=287#comment-1936 There are quietists in every school of Buddhism and I believe that each tradition if looked at from a certain angle could be considered to expound quietism. Our practice in Shin Buddhism is to solve our everyday problems in the light of the Buddha's teaching. Thus our daily lives becomes our practice. I have on many occasions sought to retreat into quietism but Shinran's teaching has constantly urged me to confront and not run away from my own true self. There are quietists in every school of Buddhism and I believe that each tradition if looked at from a certain angle could be considered to expound quietism. Our practice in Shin Buddhism is to solve our everyday problems in the light of the Buddha’s teaching. Thus our daily lives becomes our practice. I have on many occasions sought to retreat into quietism but Shinran’s teaching has constantly urged me to confront and not run away from my own true self.

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