Letters of Rennyo (Gobunsho). Chapter On Lay Followers And Disciples (Monto Deshi No Sho), страница 16

With reverence, I remain 5th day, 7th month, 6th year of Bunmei (1474CE)

Chapter On The Kuhon And Chorakuji Temples

{Kuhon Chorakujino Sho}

[Letter # 30]

Here in Japan the Jodo Sect has established many branch schools. Besides a few like the Seizan, Chinzei, Kuhon, and the Choraku Ji branches, they are divided into numerous other branches. Although Honen Shonin preached but a single doctrine, now many divergent forms of his basic teachings exist. These divergences have occurred because many people from the various schools of practice and austerities who did not truly grasp the Teachings of the Master Honen came to the Shonin (Honen) to learn the Doctrines of the Jodo School. They were reluctant to discard the essence of their former doctrines, but conversely, attempted to incorporate aspects of their former doctrines into the Teachings of the Jodo Sect itself. In spite of this Situation, we should not censure them particularly. What is important is that we only nurture Faith of our sect deep in our hearts so that we may receive this Faith unshakably for ourselves and to teach and lead others toward the same goal. In describing the features of Faith of our sect, first there is a realization from deep introspection that we are unworthy individuals with the Ten Major Evils, the Five Cardinal Sins, the Five Obstacles, and the Three Reliance’s. Secondly, following this realization, one should understand that the primary objective of Amida Tathágata’s inconceivable power of the Primal Vow is to deliver such shameful beings; and that Amida shall envelop, without fail, all who believe firmly in this without a trace of doubt. In other words, this describes the essence of the heart that has received the True-Faith of the Other Power.

There is nothing required especially to receive this Faith (just described) with complete reliance. Oh, the easily understandable Faith of the Other-Power! Oh, the easily practicable Nembutsu! There is nothing more than this to the receipt of this Faith. Thus, the clear and thorough understanding of the six characters of "Na"-"Mu"-"A"-"Mi"-"Da" and "Butsu" is the total aspect of the Faith of the Other-Power. Then, what is the meaning of "Namu Amida Butsu"? The first two characters "Na" and "Mu" mean the deep reliance placed on Amida for rebirth in the Land of Bliss. The four remaining characters "A"-"Mi"-"Da" and "Butsu" mean the clear essence of discarding the heart of unenlightened man and receiving Buddha's enlightened heart! Amida observes with deep compassion those sentient beings who place reliance upon Him. Even though we have been encumbered with frightful evils (since great kalpas of time without beginning), all aspects of the evils of ignorance and delusion that had been ours from time immemorial are removed immediately when we become illuminated by the causal conditions of Amida's Great Light. In that simultaneous instant we come to reside within the ranks of those whose rebirth is truly assured. For this reason, in the Name Amida Tathágata is implied the wondrous process of one discarding his unenlightened body and realizing Oneness with Amida Tathágata. Thus, this is the reason that the three-character "A"-"Mi"-"Da" is reverentially read, "Envelop Within" - (Osame), "Save" - (Tasuke), and "Deliver"- (Suku u). After one has received this Determined-Faith in the manner just described and truly realizing the sense of gratitude owed to the graciousness of Amida Tathágata, simply recite the Sacred Name. This becomes an expression of thankfulness of the debt of gratitude owed Amida Tathágata.