Buddhist Thoughts is the SLC Buddhist Temple newsletter which is mailed to Temple members each month. Here we provide excerpts from archival Buddhist Thoughts.

2001 March

E-Dharma in the Cyber Realm
by J.K. Hirano

"The single path of shinjin taught by the Master Shinran of our tradition is that people should set aside their concerns over the weight of their evil karma or whether or not they have cut off delusional attachments in their minds. Instead, persons dwelling in worldly life should steadfastly abandon their false attachment to the miscellaneous and sundry practices, and take refuge in the compassionate vow of Amida Tathagata. In the one thought-moment in which one entrusts single-heartedly and without doubt, Amida Tathagata immediately sends forth Light and embraces that person. This means that one is saved by the Buddha. It also means that such shinjin is bestowed by the Tathagata.

For this reason, one should not think, "buddha, please save me" (butsu tasuke tamae) when saying the Name. One should understand that the nembutsu is an expression of overwhelming gratitude that one is saved simply with the one thought-moment of shinjin in which one entrusts in Amida. It is a response to Amida Tathagata for his benevolent salvation. This is what it means to be a true practicer of the exclusive practice of the nembutsu. It is also what is meant by the teaching established in our tradition that "the karmic cause of birht is fulfilled in ordinary life with the arising of the one thought-moment of shinjin."

Respectfully

3^rd month of the 2^nd year of the Kansho Era (1461)

I have been a great fan of Rennyo Shonin for many years. I was a student at the Institute of Buddhist Studies, twenty years ago, when I first heard of Rennyo Shonin. Although I had seen his image in the naijin of the temple, I never really knew who he was. For those who don't know, Rennyo (1415-1499) is known as the "Restorer of the Honganji Tradition." It was through his brilliant leadership that Honganji was able to establish itself as an important Japanese religious institution, well suited for it's time.

In this article, I don't want to get into the details of Rennyo's life and thought. However, for those of you interested, there is a wonderful translation of a book written by Jitsuen Kakehashi, one of the foremost scholars of Shin Buddhism, today. The book is entitled Bearer of the Light. It was translated by Rev. David Matsumoto, Director of the Institute of Buddhist Studies, Center for contemporary Shin Buddhist Studies. As a side note, Rev. Matsumoto will be the guest speaker for our upcoming Ohigan service on March 18. This book is a wonderful work on the life and thought of Rennyo. It is available in our library and for purchase.

I have began this article with the first letter Rennyo wrote for the purpose of explaining the Jodo Shinshu teachings to it's followers. These letters, which are known as the Gobunsho are over two hundred in number. Within these letters, Rennyo simply and conscientiously explains the basic tenets of our Jodo Shinshu tradition. These letters were sent to various leaders among the Nembutsu followers of his time. It was Rennyo's intent for these letters to be read and talked about at the gathering of Nembutsu followers. In this way, certain errors or misunderstandings could be cleared up. It was a method that proved highly successful.

In addition, to writing the letters, during what is known as the Yoshizaki period, from 1471-1475, Rennyo also began printing Shinran's Gatha of True Shinjin and his hymns. With the letters and the printing of the Shoshinge and hymns, this established a propagational style and religious ritual which would allow both the priests and lay followers to take part in the services together. Before this, the services were conducted entirely by the priests. His innovative methods established a truly unique Jodo Shinshu style.

As Prof. Kakehashi writes, "It was not simply that lay devotees would be allowed to participate for the first time in the observance of buddhist ceremonies that previously had been performed exclusively by the priests. Even more than that, it became possible for all individuals to conduct services every morning and evening in their own homes. The significance of this was enormous, for it resulted in the establishment, in name and in fact, of a family-based form of buddhism, or "lay-Buddhism."   

The purpose of this article is not to comment on Rennyo's teaching, but rather for us to look at his propagational methods. To make the teachings available to the Nembutsu followers, Rennyo used every vehicle available during his time. I feel that our age can be defined as the electronic age or to be more precise, the age of the internet. It seems that every other news article or program mentions the use of the internet for the dissemination of information. Rolen Yoshinaga has generously given of his time and effort to establish a web site for our temple (www.slbuddhist.org). I hope many of you will take the time to view our site. In addition, I would like to establish an E mail list of members and friends who would be interested in articles and various information, pertaining to the temple and Buddhism. When you have the chance, please send your e mail addresses to me. I will set up the list and begin to send out various bits and pieces of information.

There are other temples and ministers that have began this type of e dharma. Rev. Yamaoka has a list of over two hundred individuals, such as college students away from home and interested temple members, that he sends messages to. Rev. Shinseki is establishing an e mail list to send out his temple's newsletter. Our tradition has always made an effort to remain relevant in an ever changing world. I feel that this is a wonderful way to spread the nembutsu teachings. I will begin to compile a list of dharma related sites that you may check out on the web. Please let me know who you are and the people you would like to be added to the list.

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