Awaken to Your True Self: The Shin Buddhist Way of Life

by Hideo Yonezawa, Marvin Harada (Translator)

Hideo Yonezawa (1909-1991) was a physician who lectured and wrote extensively on Shin Buddhism from a layperson’s perspective. His thoughts are made available to English speakers for the first time in Marvin Harada’s translation of Awaken to Your True Self. Along with essays on topics such as “What is Religious Faith?” and “The Spiritual Home,” Yonezawa shares the life examples of Buddhist followers—friends and patients—that he was fortunate enough to meet. Each of these stories shines like a polished gem. The Buddhist path is most clearly embodied not in doctrines and institutions, but in the self-awareness and resilience of people who have awakened to the true self. The book is certain to deepen one’s appreciation of Shin Buddhism.“How should we express what shinjin is in this day and age? I have said that there is a relation between the eternal and the now, and there is a relation between the limited and the infinite. The relation between these is religion. Shinjin is an expression of the realization that your life, which is limited and finite, has a place within the infinite. As I strive to express what shinjin is, I have tried to make it my own, which is a most difficult thing.” —Hideo Yonezawa“Yonezawa conveys the deep flavor of the Dharma and extends the hand of Great Compassion. Through stories, poetry, and real-life examples, he brings difficult Buddhist notions to life in a manner that is at once accessible to the layperson and provides rich insights to those who have been studying Buddhism for many years.” —Dr. Mark Unno, University of Oregon

187 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Brian Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much enjoyed this. A good contrast to what has often been a "Zen elitism." Down-to-earth talks followed by short essays on enlightened "everyday" beings of Jodo Shinshu, a Pure Land sect. Interesting parallels to devotional, salvific Christianity.

[Malum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deep insights on Jodo Shinshu Buddhism.

[Donald Frye · Rating 5 out of 5]

an incredible book

I have been a lay practitioner of Zen for many years and have always been drawn to pure land teaching. I have spent eight years chanting and reading on this topic and it seems never understood the Nembutsu, until now. Something seemly simple, yet profound. Was it stories told by this sage that caused myself to know what I might be, or was it the gentle teaching of a humble country doctor? Either way, I am indebted. If you are at all interested in Jodo Shinshu teachings, read this book. Namoamidabutsu

[Noreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for writing this book Rev Hirano. Excellent application of Jodo Shinshu Buddhism to contemporary American Life. Best essays are on the death of his grandmother, mother, being bullied as a kid and gambling.