With reverence, I remain 16th day, 2nd month, 6th year of Bunmei (1474CE) Early this morning I dipped my brush and wrote this letter on the spur of the moment.
If we have listened seriously to the meaning of the Faith of the Other-Power of our school and have received Faith, we must place the essence of this Faith deep within our hearts and not expound it to others not of our sect. Furthermore, wherever we may be, in the alleyways, avenues, in our village, and elsewhere, we must not openly boast of the virtues of our Faith without discretion as to those who may be present. Also, do not be disobedient to the district and local officials of government saying, "I have attained 'True Faith'," but accept more and more of our civic responsibilities. We must not insult the various deities and Bodhisattvas of the other schools as they are all embraced within the six characters, "Na" "Mu" "A" "Mi" "Da" and "Butsu." In particular, while actively abiding by the laws of society outwardly and holding fast to the Faith of the Other-Power inwardly, we must live our lives based on the common mores. It must be understood that all the foregoing are points concerning the manner of conduct as established by our Jodo Shinshu Sect.
With reverence, I remain I have written this on the 17th day, 2nd month, 6th year of Bunmei (1474CE).
When I contemplate on the subject with deep tranquility of mind, I realize that receiving of life in the human world is truly dependent on the power of merits resulting from observing the Five Precepts. This birth into human life is indeed a great rarity. However, life in the world of man is only a momentary one while eternal life is the happy end product of rebirth in the life to come. One may presently bask in the glory of success and the heights of honor and acclaim, but because there is a natural law that states, "those in their prime shall decline; meeting foretells of parting," such successes and honors cannot be sustained for any length of time. It could be for only a duration of fifty or one hundred years. All the more as we are taught that whether one be old or young the time of his demise is uncertain and human life is indeed unreliable. All sentient beings of this Closing Third Era must attain Faith in the Other-Power and desire rebirth in the Pure Land. To attain this Faith, no special needs exist for intellect or genius, wealth or poverty, or virtuous "do-gooders," male or female. The prime objective is only to abandon all other practices and to place reliance on the True Way. Placing reliance on the True Way means the simple placement of reliance on Amida Tathágata with a singleness of heart. Sentient beings who place reliance in this manner are enveloped without fail in Amida's Infinite Light and are never to be discarded. Ah Faith, simple in receiving and imposing no stringent requirements is that singular Faith which assures rebirth in the Pure Land at the very instant of its arousal. Thus, the two characters "An" and "Jin" (Anjin) may be read "peaceful-heart" (e.g., Faith). All should realize rebirth in the Land of Bliss without even the slightest difficulty through that Faith which places complete reliance on Tathágata with a singleness of heart. Oh, the ease of receiving Faith! Oh, the ease of reaching the Pure Land! On this subject, the Larger Sutra teaches that: "The ease of rebirth but the scarcity of those reborn exists." The meaning of this passage is that although it is a simple matter to be reborn in the Pure Land through complete reliance on Amida, exceedingly few receive Faith, and there are very, very few who are reborn in the Pure Land in this easy manner. After understanding the above, the Sacred Name that is pronounced from morning until night ought to be only for the purpose of expressing gratitude for the Great Compassion and the Universal Vow. Reaffirming the Dharma over and over again in your hearts and by understanding well the meaning of the ease of receiving Faith, you should gain the certainty of rebirth that is to occur in the Land of Compensation without fail in that most important life to come.
Уважаемый посетитель!
Чтобы распечатать файл, скачайте его (в формате Word).
Ссылка на скачивание - внизу страницы.