With reverence, I remain This passage, completed at the Yamanaka spa, Kaga Province, at 10:00 a.m. on the second day of the latter part of the 9th month of the 5th year of Bunmei (1473CE).
It is said that for the most part, the wives of the temple personnel here as well as others have attained Faith during the past seven-day period of the memorial services to Shinran Shonin. This is a most happy situation and nothing could be more gratifying. However, they will lose this Faith if left unattended. I have heard it said, "Constantly dredge out the Channel of Faith and let the water of Amida's Dharma flow freely." With respect to this, though women have been abandoned as "un-savable beings" by the various Buddhas of the Ten Directions in the Three Worlds of past, present, and future, Amida Tathágata alone will graciously deliver them. This is explained by the belief that no matter whether a woman claims to have obtained Faith or the True-Heart, their sense of doubt is too deep-rooted to fully accept the 18th Vow, and they are never quite able to discard completely the aspects of superstitious avoidance and taboos. Of particular note is that when women are engaged in occupations and the problems of livelihood, and become involved in the raising of children and grandchildren, they only revel in the passions and desires of their present lives. This condition occurs in spite of their realization of the transient nature of the realms of human beings (bounded by the old and young alike) being impermanent which is, so obviously, right before their eyes. The usual lot of women is to not concern themselves, even to the extent of a droplet off of a drop of dew, even at that very moment when they are about to sink into the Three Rapids and the Eight Adversity-Deprivations, but live in vain night and day. To lamely say that it is shameful is somehow totally inadequate. Thus, by placing complete reliance with a singleness of heart and mind on the compassionate Vow of Amida exclusively, discarding all intentions of the following other ways of practice, and also not seeking refuge in the gods and deities and other Buddhas throughout the Universe, by believing that the Primal Vow was made by Amida Tathágata expressly for shameful women as yourselves, and by believing that Buddha's Wisdom is truly incomprehensible, you should have the heart to thoroughly place complete reliance in Tathágata, believing that you are hopeless, sinful beings. You should believe that the heart to place Faith in Amida and the earnest wish to do so arise from the expedient accommodation of Amida Tathágata. In other words, those who understand this relationship between Amida Tathágata and human beings are those that have received the Faith of the Other-Power. This status is called variously, "residing within the ranks of the Truly Assured," "state of arriving to Enlightenment in the next rebirth," or "one who is equivalent to Miroku Bodhisattva." Also, it is called, "one who has had the awakening of Faith and whose rebirth is now absolutely determined." After the comprehension of the foregoing in the manner above, believe that the recitation of the Nembutsu is for the purpose of expressing our gratitude out of happiness for Amida Tathágata’s having determined the easy manner of our rebirth. With reverence, I remain PS: With regard to this matter, I would like to have, first, a strict adherence to the manner of conduct that has been established by our sect. That is to say if one understands with deep concern the conditions of Faith as just explained, retain this understanding deep in your hearts and do not display its results in your behavior to the people of the other schools. Further, do not discuss the features of Faith with them. You must not be disrespectful to any of the various other deities just because you do not believe in them. The Shonin has said these people who understand the aspects of Faith and whose deportment is beyond reproach as written above are the devotees who well understand Faith. You should abide just in the Dharma deep in your hearts.
Уважаемый посетитель!
Чтобы распечатать файл, скачайте его (в формате Word).
Ссылка на скачивание - внизу страницы.