A Portrait of Shinran: As Presented in Kakunyo’s Three Classical Collections
Volume 1: Kudensho
- Edition: 1st
- Published: 2014
- Price: US$2.99
- Available on Amazon Kindle Store
- ASIN: B00IP073XO
This book is an English version of Kudenshō, a collection of stories told by Shinran (1173–1263), a profound Buddhist teacher in Japan widely known as the founder of Shin Buddhism (Jōdo Shinshū). Kakunyo (1271–1351), Shinran’s great grandson, learned the teaching of Shinran from his uncle Nyoshin and Yuien, who were Shinran’s direct disciples. Later Kakunyo dictated the stories he heard from Nyoshin to his disciple and compiled them into this small book, the Kudenshō. In this book, Kakunyo tries to clarify the controversial points of the teaching such as whether one’s karma affects enlightenment or not, and also to declare himself as lineal descendant of the teaching lineage. Although Kudenshō is less known compared to other Shin Buddhist scriptures such as Tannishō, it is filled with anecdotes of Shinran which give you a glimpse of the essence of his teaching and the vivid picture of his life through the eyes of his descendants. This book is the first volume of the three-volume set of Kakunyo’s writings.
A Portrait of Shinran: As Presented in Kakunyo’s Three Classical Collections
Volume 2: Shujisho
- Edition: 1st
- Published: 2014
- Price: US$2.99
- Available on Amazon Kindle Store
- ASIN: B00JUXOTTQ
The Shūjishō is the oldest of the three collections in A Portrait of Shinran. Compiled in 1326 it is Kakunyo’s first attempt to formulate his position with regard to Shinran’s teaching. Although he was Shinran’s great grandson he had to struggle to achieve his leadership position. It was under his tenure that the memorial hall received official temple status and official approval to use the name Honganji. Listening to the request of his key disciple Ganchi (1273–1353), Kakunyo age 57 realized it was necessary for him to make an official statement of his position on the Shin Buddhist teaching. Poring over Shinran’s letters, writings in the Mattoshō, Sanjō Wasan, and Tannishō as well as the letters of Eshin-ni, Kakunyo drew up a concise five-point statement that he called the Shūjishō.
A Portrait of Shinran: As Presented in Kakunyo’s Three Classical Collections
Volume 3: Gaijasho
- Edition: 1st
- Published: 2014
- Price: US$2.99
- Available on Amazon Kindle Store
- ASIN: B00LE1S4IE
The Gaijashō, the last of three collections in A Portrait of Shinran, was composed in either 1336 or 1337. At that time, the Bukkōji branch was the largest of all Shinshū temple systems. By contrast, the Honganji branch that Kakunyo established was a minor one under the umbrella of the Tendai school. All the same, Kakunyo’s Gaijashō opens with criticism directed at the practices of the dominant Bukkōji branch. By such documents, Kakunyo played an important role by laying down the guidelines of Shinran’s teaching that helped to ensure the steady growth of the Honganji branch in the future. One hundred some years later, under the leadership of Rennyo (1415–1499), eighth leader of Honganji, a shift in the political situation would force many Bukkōji temples in Kyoto to switch allegiance to the Honganji. While Rennyo is unilaterally praised for making the Honganji a huge institution in Japan, it is Kakunyo who took the helm to deftly guide the still fragile Honganji branch through a treacherous period of Japanese politics to produce early works that helped to define the Honganji tradition.
The Art of Listening: A Buddhist Guide to Happiness
Hachiya Yoshikiyo
- Edition: 1st
- Published: 2014
- Price: US$2.99
- Available on Amazon Kindle Store
- ASIN: B00MLKK3F4
During the past two hundred years many countries around the world opted to shift from an agricultural economy to an industrial one. This led to huge demographic shifts as people moved from rural areas to urban centers. Up to then the Buddhist religion in Japan had catered to farming communities. In the winter months when the farmers had no work preachers were regularly sent out to give sermons to large audiences. In the modern age the Buddhist religion had to adapt to changing circumstances. In this volume we present the sermons of the Shin Buddhist preacher Hachiya Yoshikiyo (1880–1964). An active preacher during the Taishō and Shōwa periods he is one of the many preachers who adapted the Buddhist message to the modern age. Addressing the problems of alienation, dehumanization, and poverty that afflicted people in modern life, his talks aim to encourage people in their search for happiness. Surely they can find happiness if only they knew the starting point for their search. It is the first step that is crucial. Take the first step and the riddle of life solves itself. In this book Hachiya Yoshikiyo tells us we have to bring forth the heart willing to listen. It is as easy as that. But in the hectic pace of modern life it is not easy for us to take the time to do so. No wonder we are suffering lost in alienation, dehumanization, and poverty. The recipient of a Buddhist college education Hachiya Yoshikiyo was also a skillful writer who went on to write numerous books, some of them quite voluminous. The present book is made up of the first set of articles that he contributed to the Jōdō magazine published in Sakai, Osaka, from 1922 to 1943. His other books return to the themes of the modern search for happiness and listening as the key. There is a touch of humor in his writings even as he looks the problems of modern life in the eye.
A Thinking Person’s Guide to Shin Buddhism
Kaneko Daiei
- Edition: 1st
- Published: 2015
- Price: US$2.99
- Available on Amazon Kindle Store
- ASIN: B0106SAMF8
This essay A Thinking Person’s Guide to Shin Buddhism, originally titled Shinshū no Yōshi, was written by Daiei Kaneko (1881–1976), one of the prominent Shin Buddhist thinkers, who laid the foundations of modern Shin Buddhist studies. With a broad background in Mahayana Buddhism and philosophy, Kaneko gives a concise but deep outline of Shin Buddhism in this essay.
The Life and Thought of Shinran Shonin: He Who Walked the Path Before Us
- Edition: 1st
- Published: 2015
- Price: US$2.99
- Available on Amazon Kindle Store
- ASIN: B0105FLH8I
A path exists that perhaps we’ve never known. Only when it opens before us do we realize the Path has always existed. Unless someone takes that path and tells us about it we might not even notice it. In this book, we’ll meet that person who has shown us the way. The Life and Thought of Shinran Shonin: He Who Walked the Path Before Us makes our own journey a reality.
Shinran, a Buddhist priest of medieval Japan who is regarded as the founder of Shin Buddhism, was born in 1173 and died in 1263. Ninety years is a long time to live even in today’s world. During the latter part of his life even in his eighties he wrote down many of his thoughts and experiences in the forms of long treatises as well as prose essays and verse. After his death a memorial hall was built in his honor that later was awarded temple status. His memory was exalted to the level of legend where it remained for hundreds of years.
One hundred years ago scholars and writers began to explore the historical and human side of Shinran in the process of demythologizing religion. This more warm and human Shinran is the theme of many modern books.
The present book does not intend to restore Shinran to his pedestal as a semi-legendary figure nor does it intend to present merely a humanized image of him. Indeed, the Shinran that we want to meet is the person who took the path before us. That is the real purpose of this book.
The main text of this book is a translation of the Shūso Shinran Shōnin, a textbook for temple study classes, published in 1978 by the Shinshū Ōtani-ha in Kyoto, Japan. The Shinshū Ōtani-ha, also known as Higashi Honganji, is one of the largest Shin Buddhist organizations in Japan. Since the book not only provides a good historical framework for Shinran’s life, but also presents a careful selection of quotations from Buddhist literature, including those by Shinran himself, it is a good introduction of Shin Buddhism and Shin Buddhist way of life.
The Thanksgiving Sermons of Soga Ryōjin: The Hōonkō Services of the Higashi Honganji Los Angeles Betsuin, December 1955
Soga Ryōjin
Ryōjin Soga
- Edition: 1st
- Published: 2018
- Price: US$2.99
- Available on Amazon Kindle Store
- ASIN: B07DLHKJLY
[From Greetings] In Japan what Soga Sensei talks about has a reputation for being difficult to follow, and there are people who deign to keep their respectful distance. That said, if you were to ask my opinion, I would say that what Soga Sensei says is difficult only for those who do not immerse their entire being into listening to the Dharma. The truth is that if you throw your entire self into listening to the Dharma body, soul, and mind, then you will not encounter any difficulty in understanding what Sensei has to say. Indeed, there couldn’t be anything more easily understood.
There might be nothing easier to understand, yet up until now Shin Buddhism in the modern age has been missing something that we did not know how to supply. The usual message it offered was just about going to the Land of Ultimate Bliss. The person who clarified the true message of our Founder Shinran Shōnin, by demonstrating the teaching that we can be saved right now just as we are, was Soga Ryōjin Sensei. In that sense we are most pleased to be hosting as our guest for the foreseeable future Soga Sensei, who is not only the precious treasure of the Higashi Honganji but that of the entire Buddhist world.
Now it is up to you, but for those who wish to speak to Soga Sensei on points you do not understand, he will usually be free during the day except when he is out of town. If you call to make an appointment, we can arrange an appointment for you to meet him. It will surely help you gain a deeper understanding of his message.
Self and Society: A Buddhist View of the Human Condition
Nakano Ryōshun
- Edition: 1st
- Published: 2018
- Price: US$2.99
- Available on Amazon Kindle Store
- ASIN: B07J2D42PS
[From Foreword] I believe this essay by Nakano Ryōshun (1916–1988) is an excellent exposition of the essential teachings of Jōdo Shinshū Buddhism because from the beginning the author makes us confront the problem of the self. By first giving us the bad news, telling us how our self-attachment has distorted our view of reality, he makes it easier for us to appreciate the good news of Amida’s Vow which brings us the true perception of the world as the Pure Land. Among ministers in America, there is a fear that the bad news about the defiled human condition will turn people off and make Buddhism sound too negative. Especially in my generation, the post-World War II baby boomers, we prefer to hear about achieving success, whether material or “spiritual,” through unleashing our own innate talents. We really don’t want to hear someone like Reverend Nakano saying that there is something fundamentally wrong with the way we think and act. But because he does so, we realize he is seriously concerned about awakening our innermost need for religion.
When We Entrust to the Long-Held Wish
Kaneko Daiei
- Edition: 1st
- Published: 2019
- Price: US$2.99
- Available on Amazon Kindle Store
- ASIN: B07VL8D8FF
The Primary Object of Veneration for Shinran’s Followers
Fujita Kōtatsu
- Edition: 1st
- Published: 2019
- Price: US$2.99
- Available on Amazon Kindle Store
- ASIN: B07TSXBZXL
This book is a translation of the Shinshū ni okeru honzon, a booklet published by the Shinshū Ōtani-ha (Higashi Honganji) in 2012. The original book is based on a commemorative message titled “Gohonzon wo omukae shite” (On Welcoming Our Gohonzon [to the Temporary Altar]) given by Dr. Kōtatsu Fujita (1928–) at the Gohonzon Dōzashiki, the commemoration of moving the statue of Amida Buddha to the temporary altar, for the renovation of the Amidadō in the Shinshū Honbyō in Kyoto, Japan, held on November 29, 2011. For the publication of the original book, the manuscript of the message was carefully revised and enlarged by Dr. Fujita himself.