Honen’s Last Testament: The One-Sheet Document

Just something I wanted to post. Honen, founder of Japanese Pure Land Buddhism,* shortly before he died dictated a final statement of his beliefs and teachings, known as the ichimai kishōmon or “one sheet document” due to its brevity. The full text can be found at the JSRI institute, but I have always liked one passage near the end:

Even if those who believe in the nembutsu deeply study all the teachings which Shakyamuni taught during his life, they should not put on any airs and should practice the nembutsu with the sincerity of those untrained followers ignorant of Buddhist doctrines.

It’s a nice reminder for myself, given that I do just that: study lots of Buddhist teachings. The key is not so much how you know, but how sincere you are in your aspiration of rebirth in the Pure Land. Even if you only know a little, but your intention is sincere and pure, then you’ll do just fine.

Namuamidabu

* – And beloved mentor of Shinran, who founded Jodo Shinshu.