With reverence, I remain it being so extremely hot, I have left the writing of the above solely to the will of the brush, and it has just finished the letter. Written on the 2nd day, middle of the 6th month, 6th year of Bunmei (1474CE).
The conscientious observance (of the manner of conduct as established by this sect) means the adherence to the basic motive of remaining inconspicuous in our relationships with those of the other sects and with people of the general public by avoiding the bold open attitudes and speech on behalf of our school. Recently, among followers of the Nembutsu of our sect, certain individuals have intentionally expounded the basic principles of our sect blatantly in public and have vocally belittled and degraded the teachings of the other sects in the belief that by so doing they were enhancing the status of our sect. This is a most inexcusable thing! It is in great divergence, particularly to the principle as established by our Shinran Shonin. Shinran Shonin stated long ago, "Although we may be called cattle stealers, we should not show ourselves as followers of the Jodo Shinshu Sect." We should thoroughly understand what the Shonin meant and control our conduct with great diligence. Another point - the conditions of gender, deep spiritual wisdom, extensive knowledge, or high or low position do not exist for a person who wishes to thoroughly understand the meaning of Faith as taught in our school. One needs only to arrive at the realization that at best he is a very sorry being full of evil (at best) and understand that the only Buddha that will deliver him is Amida Tathágata. With this understanding, should that singular feeling arise from within a person's heart (to simply cling with all his strength to the sleeve of this Amida Buddha and seek deliverance of Him in the life to come), Amida Tathágata will be deeply joyed and will emit 84,000 rays of Great Light from His person and envelop this person in this Light. The essence of this meaning is clearly taught in the Sutra as, "His Light penetrates throughout the worlds of the Ten Directions. His Light, forever, envelops sentient beings who place total reliance on Amida, never, ever to forsake them." Therefore, there is no doubt whatever that he will become a Buddha. Oh, that most wonderful Primal Vow that transcends this world! Oh, thanks to the rays of Wisdom and Compassion of Amida Tathágata! Without exposure to the causal effect of this Great Light, there would not be even the remote possibility of a cure from that frightful sickness of ignorance and delusion that has been ours since time immemorial. Yet, because of this culmination of related past conditions effected by this Great Light, we receive in this present instant what is called the "Faith of the Other-Power." However, it becomes clear to us that this Faith is given to us by Amida Tathágata! It is not a faith that is developed by the follower himself. Furthermore, it becomes unmistakably clear to us what is meant by the "Great Faith of the Other Power of Amida Tathágata." Accordingly, all of us undeserving individuals who once receive this Faith of the Other-Power should reflect deeply upon the extent of appreciation and debt of gratitude we owe to Amida Tathágata and should always repeat the Sacred Name for the purpose of expressing our gratitude for the Grace of Amida Buddha.
With reverence, I remain I have written this on the 3rd day, 7th month, 6th year of Bunmei (1474CE).
The doctrine known as the "Secret Teaching" in the District of Echizen is positively not a Buddhist Dharma. It is a deplorable teaching outside the Dharma. Since those who believe in this teaching establish karma that would sink them into the deepest depths of the Eternal Hells, it is a very stupid thing to follow. One must be extremely careful not to follow those who fully adhere to this secret doctrine and who, being so completely sold on it, would push this doctrine onto others through the use of flattery and deception. Disassociate yourselves from those who spread this secret doctrine as quickly as possible. With a deep feeling of contrition for having been swayed into support of this doctrine, one should hasten to relate one's exposure and experiences to others. Those who wish to be reborn in the Land of Bliss (following a thorough comprehension of the essential substance of what is preached by our sect) should first understand explicitly the Faith of the Other Power. To explain the importance of the Faith of the Other Power, it is the provision by which the pitiful unenlightened beings like ourselves can be easily reborn in the Pure Land. To describe the state of this Faith of the Other-Power, it is that very instant when one places complete single-hearted reliance on Amida Tathágata for the enlightenment in the life to come; Amida will emanate His Enveloping Light and embrace him throughout the period of his life left here on earth. In other words, Faith of the Other Power is the condition of complete determination of our rebirth to come. Thus, the substance of reciting the Nembutsu is the state of receiving the Faith of the Other-Power. We should believe that this Faith is the state through which this "Namu Amida Butsu" is revealed. Just because of this Faith of the Other-Power mentioned above, there is not the slightest doubt that we shall be reborn with cause into the Land of Bliss. Oh, this most wonderful Primal Vow of the Other-Power of Amida Tathágata! If one wishes to know the manner in which we should express this feeling of deep thankfulness and the debt of gratitude owed to Amida, simply and constantly recite "Namu Amida Butsu," whether asleep or awake, to express that immeasurable thankfulness. Thus, to describe the essence of the recitation of "Namu Amida Butsu," understand that it is the joyous expression of the heart as it awakens to the gratitude owed and the sacredness of the deliverance assured us through the Grace of Amida Tathágata.
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