Buddha of Infinite Light The Teachings of Shin Buddhism, the Japanese Way of Wisdom and Compassion

by Suzuki, D. T.; Unno, Taitetsu

• ISBN13: 9781570624568
• ISBN10: 1570624569
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-02-12
• Publisher: Shambhala

Summary

Shin is the uniquely Japanese flowering of the type of Buddhism known as "Pure Land." It originated in the thirteenth century with the charismatic and prophetic figure Shinran (1172-1263), whose interpretation of the traditional Pure Land teachings was extremely influential in his own lifetime and remain so today. In a period when Japanese Buddhism was dominated by an elitist monastic establishment, Shinran's Shin teaching became a way of liberation for all people, regardless of age, class, or gender. Although Shin is one of Japan's greatest religious contributions-and is still the most widely practiced form of Buddhism in Japan-it remains little known in the West. In this book, based on several lectures he gave in the 1950s, D. T. Suzuki illuminates the deep meaning of Shin and its rich archetypal imagery, providing a scholarly and affectionate introduction to this sometimes misunderstood tradition of Buddhist practice.

Author Biography

Daisetsu Teitaro Suzuki (1870–1966) was one of the primary modern interpreters of Zen for the West. He is the author of many books, among them Manual of Zen Buddhism, Essays in Zen Buddhism, and Zen in Japanese Culture.

Table of Contents

Foreword	7	(2)
Preface to the First Edition	9	(2)
Introduction	11	(10)
Infinite Light
Shinran's Original Insight	21	(2)
The Teaching of Amida	23	(3)
Primal Vow and Pure Land	26	(3)
Enlightenment of the Inner Self
Primal Vow of Amida	29	(3)
Sincerity of Mind	32	(3)
The Story of Shoma	35	(2)
Our Inner Self	37	(6)
Faith as True Entrusting
Scientific Knowledge	43	(3)
Beyond the Five Senses	46	(2)
Deep Spirituality	48	(3)
Oneness of the Name	51	(4)
The Futility of Pride
Self-Power and Other-Power	55	(3)
Beyond Self-Power	58	(2)
Meaning of No Meaning	60	(5)
Issa and Eckhart	65	(4)
Excellence of Person
Myokonin	69	(3)
Language and Spirituality	72	(2)
Everyday Life and Nembutsu	74	(3)
Living with Amida	77	(5)
Embraced	82	(3)
Namu-Amida-Butsu
Notes	85	(8)
Suggested Reading	93